FM1299 Magalif Adagio Nuovo fls pft LW
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Adagio Nuovo is a Paraphrase on Albinoni motif, discovered (it is still questionable) in the mid-twentieth century by the Italian musicologist and composer Remo Giazotto. In my version I used two time signatures. The first part of the piece is 4/4, which gives the piece a more measured, even slow character. And in the second part, the time signature of 3/4 (which is where Albinoni’s Adagio is written) gives more dynamics and movement to the piece. Of course, in my version of Adagio one can find influences from numerous existing adaptations of this masterpiece by Albinoni.
FM1297 Cafolla The Bytes Complex Techno 1 Gygabytes
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These three pieces were the result of a deep conversation with a techno wizard. I came away completely at a loss except for Gygabytes, Mygabytes and Tyrabytes and then rapidly discovered that my understanding of the terminology was totally incorrect. Unfortunately my imagination was working overtime. The emerging compositions had adopted a life of their own. The titles had to stay. Challenging and full of PIANISTIC COMPLEX TECHNO.
FM1301 Magalif Sacred Suite 1 First Prayer
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The idea for Sacred Suite came to me quite a long time ago. Upon arrival in the USA, I began to compose vocal choral music based on biblical texts while working as a choir director and organist in churches. The music and texts at church services were Catholic or Protestant. However, coming from a country where the Russian Orthodox Church was dominant, I combined both Catholic and Orthodox choral traditions in creating my music. Having fallen in love with the sound of flutes and flute choirs, I realized that the flute as an instrument is very close to the human voice, and that vocal choral works can be beautifully arranged for performance by flute choirs. Sacred Suite consists of four parts, three of which were written under the influence of biblical texts, specifically those texts that are found in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox bibles. The first part, “The First Prayer: Beatitudes” was inspired by Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
FM1284 Nye 3 Pyrotechnics 1
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1) PREPARATIONS and SILVER SPRAYS Bars 1-22: Here the mood is one of expectation. In the first bar, drop the A# back from mf to p after about one quaver, in order to be in place for the . Once the notes are known, use a metronome to confirm a steady pulse, so that the accel. and ritard. will be able to relate to a secure base (were you playing bar 20 in time?), as will any other small amount of pulse variation you feel moved to introduce. Not too loud in bar 10 – save your thunder for later! Note that the acciaccatura in bar 18 belongs to the G#, and here and elsewhere merely shows which note shares the trill. Bars 23-94: Now the show has begun! The three distinct requirements of finger-patterns (not too hard), tongue control (harder) and constantly-changing dynamics (difficult) should be practised separately and brought together one by one while the metronome is still set to a quaver beat. Do not attempt to cross the upper break with the glissando in bar 87 – use a combination of embouchure-variation and the gradual opening of the RH side trill keys until they, and the LH throat G# key, are all open.
FM1288 Holland Jacob the Giant LW
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This fun piece for Contrabassoon and Piano captures the somewhat clumsy but endearing quality of a huge monster with a gentle heart. It may of course be played on the standard Bassoon, which may need to compensate for the weighty and burly tone of its larger relative instrument. It was written to welcome a friend’s newly-bought and extremely expensive instrument and provided a fun attempt at mastering its demands.
FM1285 Saunders Piano Premieres Vol
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This enjoyable collection of ten piano pieces explores a variety of musical styles. From lively rhythms to lyrical melodies, each piece is designed to inspire creativity, expression, and technical growth. My hope is that as you work through this diverse collection, you will enjoy them (!) while overcoming the unique challenges they offer.
As you play, you will not only develop new technical skills but also discover the joy of musical storytelling. I truly hope you find as much joy in playing these works as I found in writing them.
Happy playing!
FM1294 Cafolla Pianists Choice Book 1 1 Bouncing Ball
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A series of pieces which highlight melody and have interesting titles. They encompass all grades and are written by a pianist and teacher with understanding of the technical requirements. Useful as extra pieces for performance.
FM1283 Nye Microlites 1 The Vicars Bicycle
https://fortonmusic.co.uk/product/microlites/
These eight sound pictures are based on some of my memories and experiences. Each of the pieces has a story and an illustration to help you visualise the scene. Remember – they are all very different and require a variety of tone colours and dynamics to make them come to life. I have had fun composing them and trying them on my oboe, and I hope you will also have fun playing Microlites.
RN – March 1995
The Vicar’s Bicycle – For three years our family lived in a little village called Maisemore, near the city of Gloucester. As my father was the vicar, he needed to visit his parishioners regularly. If the weather was good, he would leave the car in the garage, and ride around on his bicycle. You could not have bought a bicycle like his in the shops, because it was a unique machine which he had built himself from lots of spare parts. It had a character all of its own! In the music you will travel with him around the village, as he rides up and down the hills, ringing his bell.
FM1285 Saunders Piano Premieres Vol
https://fortonmusic.co.uk/product/piano-premieres-volume-1/
This enjoyable collection of ten piano pieces explores a variety of musical styles. From lively rhythms to lyrical melodies, each piece is designed to inspire creativity, expression, and technical growth. My hope is that as you work through this diverse collection, you will enjoy them (!) while overcoming the unique challenges they offer.
As you play, you will not only develop new technical skills but also discover the joy of musical storytelling. I truly hope you find as much joy in playing these works as I found in writing them.
Happy playing!
FM1287 Holland Three Speech 1 Propensity
https://fortonmusic.co.uk/product/three-speech/
6 Flute trios depicting the ever so surprising vocabulary of a fellow flautist, who would often add a somewhat deliberately colourful word to his conversation, in sometimes inappropriate places! There were many to choose from, but whilst gently mocking him they provided the idea for some pieces, to give 3 advanced players a good workout. Flutes blend beautifully together here in a truly “breathtaking” opportunity to work at ensemble playing, to experiment with tone and to practise good breath control.
