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Illusions – Flute Choir
Illusions make us think we are seeing something we’re not, a deception, which is quite magical; and this piece is based on magic.
The first movement, Wild Card, depicts the journey to find one’s own way in life. The individual parts go this way and that, sometimes at peace with decisions made and sometimes filled with the unease that comes with fear of the unknown.
A wizard can be someone clever and skilled, as a computer wizard, and can also be synonymous for obsessions, including bewitchment and enchantment. Wizardz, the second movement, gives every instrument its own voice within the ensemble, sometimes clever and skilled, sometimes filled with enchantment and motivation with a little sorcery for good measure. Juggling, the third movement, sonically juggles the sound back and forth, up and down among the players, trying to keep all the balls in the air at the same time.
The sample score shows the first page of each of the three movements. At this time there is no recording available.
Composer:Â Anne McGinty
Instrumentation:Â Piccolo, 4 C Flutes, Alto Flute & Bass Flute
Duration/# of Pages:Â ca. 10:15 / 74 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key:Â N/A -
In dulci jubilo – Brass Quintet
In dulci jubilo is a traditional Christmas carol from the Middle Ages, first appearing in a manuscript dating from c.1400. It has been arranged by many composers, including Michael Praetorius in the 1600s, Buxtehude, Franz Liszt and Norman Dello Joio, to name just a few. An English translation from the original text that alternated Medieval German and Latin by J. M. Neale became known as Good Christian Men, Rejoice.
Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a choral version (BWV 368), and a double canon (BWV 608) and chorale prelude (BWV 729) for organ. There is also a chorale prelude for organ based on a naive cradle-song version that was once used in the mystery plays held in churches at Christmas time. Although attributed to Bach, the cradle-song version (BWV 751) has never been authenticated.
This arrangement includes two versions, playable as one piece or separately, and begins with the cradle-song style. The simplicity as well as the imitation in the tuba pedal is quite charming and rather unexpected when compared to Bach’s usual complexity. The second version is based on the chorale prelude for organ and is a traditional postlude for Christmas services.
In the Complete Organ Works of Johann Sebastian Bach, edited by Edouard Nies-Berger and Dr. Albert Schweitzer, they state that the harmonizations of chorales were not usually written out as the figured bass was enough. These editors also assumed that Bach had a reason and suggest that he wrote them for his own satisfaction or, more likely, for use with his pupils in the course of instruction in thorough-bass playing.
Composer:Â Anne McGinty
Instrumentation:Â 2 BbTrumpets, F Horn, Trombone & Tuba
Duration/# of Pages: ca. 3:20 / 22 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key:Â F -
Twas in the Moon of Wintertime – Flute Choir
This, the first Canadian Christmas carol, was originally written in the Huron
language using the melody of a 16th century French carol, Une Jeune
Pucelle. This arrangement is as expressive as the story it depicts and
the plaintive melody is elegantly scored and always full of promise.The lyrics are:
Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled,
That mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead.
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wand’ring hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus your king is born, Jesus is born
In excelsis gloria!The Ohio State University Flute Troupe, directed by Katherine Borst Jones, recorded this piece. The full version is available for your listening pleasure under Hear an Excerpt.
Composer:Â Anne McGinty
Instrumentation:Â 4 C Flutes, 2 Alto Flutes, Â Bass Flute & Â Contrabass Flute
Duration/# of Pages:Â ca. 5:00 / 16 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key: N/A -
Soundscapes – Mixed Duo
Bass trombone and violin? The concept of these two instruments performing as a duo intrigued this composer! Edwin Miller and Todd Park commissioned this composition and wanted it to be an audience-friendly performance piece. The result is a three movement work based on the acoustic combinations of the two sounds.
The first movement opens with a bold statement of “We’re here! Listen!” – dramatic, playful, playable. The second movement begins with the Korean folk song “Arirang” contrasted with “Simple Gifts” and portions of “All The Pretty Little Horses,” and shows off the musicality and sensitivity of the musicians. The third movement’s plaintive introduction leads to a boisterous display of “I can do this, can you?” that features glissandos, triple tonguing, pizzicato vs. staccato, etc., and concludes with the violin playing “Arirang” in 3/4 and the bass trombone playing “Simple Gifts” in 4/4, a loud and triumphant finale.
Thank-you, Edwin and Todd, for wanting a piece you can play together for charity events, recitals and just for fun.
The mp3 excerpt (used with permission) features Michael Eversden and is from his CD, Out of Bounds.
The “Add to cart” button shows Score & Parts; however, Soundscapes is in duet format only, as per the sample first page. Separate parts are not available.
Composer:Â Anne McGinty
Instrumentation:Â Violin & Bass Trombone
Duration/# of Pages:Â ca. 9:15 / 13 pages, 8.5″ x 11″
Key:Â N/A
