Euphonium

with Piano

Bel Canto is an elusive term to define. While it literally translates to beautiful voice, it was a style of singing that emphasized beauty of tone, flexibility, and ease of execution. The music written in this style was characterized by florid lines and an emphasis of musical line over text. The term bel canto was, interestingly enough, not used until the style had faded somewhat. Rossini, at a dinner party in 1858 said, “Alas for us, we have lost our bel canto.”

The 12 Vocalizzi in this volume have depth and stand on their own merit amongst the more serious works of Rossini. I recommend these as recital pieces without reservation. They are the equal to- albeit in a different style than- Rachmaninov’s famous Vocalise Op. 34 No. 14 and are ideal for either unaccompanied or accompanied performance, with the included piano accompaniment making them especially suitable for lessons, juries, and solo recitals. I hope you will enjoy working on these pieces as much as I have. They breathe fresh life into the somewhat stale world of bel-canto-for-brass repertoire.

- Dr. Robert Benton

with Piano

  1.  Primavera

  2.  Nella notte d'aprile

  3.  Aprile

  4.  Vorrei

  5.  Io voglio amarti!

  6.  Rosa

  7.  Malia

  8.  Il pescatore canta!

  9.  Lamento d'amore

10.  La Serenata

11.  A Sera

12.  Preghiera

13.  Non t'amo più!

14.  Addio!

15.  Ricordati di me

16.  Ridonami la calma

17.  Tristezza

18.  Invano!

19.  Luna d'estate

20.  L'alba separa dalla luce l'ombra

21.  Dopo!

22.  Segreto

23.  Lungi

24.  Marechiare

25.  Ancora!

26.  L'ultima canzone

unaccompanied

This a varied set of emlodies that is sure to appeal all playing levels.

I. Gavotte from "French Suite No. 5" - J.S. Bach

II. Sarabande from "Cello Suite No. 5, BWV 1011" - J.S. Bach

III. Oh Were My Love Yon Lilac Fair! - Amy Beach

IV. Pathetique Sonata - Ludwig van Beethoven

V. Dance from "Prince Igor" - Aleksandr Borodin

(Stranger in Paradise)

VI. New York Light Guards Quickstep - Fancis H. Brown

(as performed by the Dodsworth's Brass Band)

VII. Chanson Espagnole - Cecile Chaminade

(Paroles françaises d'Armand Lafrique)

VIII. Fantaisie-impromptu - Frédéric Chopin

IX. Le Corso Blanc - Heinrich Tellam

X. Beautiful Dreamer - Stephen Foster

XI. Noivado - Francisca Gonzaga

(Valsa de Amor)

XII. Romany Life - Victor Herbert

XIII. Intermezzo - Gustav Holst

from "First Suite in E-flat for Military Band

XIV. Easy Winners - Scott Joplin

XV. Please Say You Will - Scott Joplin

Joplin's first publication 1895

XVI. Old Man River - Jerome Kern

From "Showboat"

XVII. The Last Rose of Summer - Thomas Moore

Based on John Hartmann's 1878 arrangement

XVIII. March - Ralph Vaughan-Williams

From "English Folk Song Suite"

XIX. Lonesome Road - Nathaniel Shilkret

XX. Dance of the Comedians - Bedřich Smetana

from "The Bartered Bride"

XXI. Tarantella

(orginally for Cello)

XXII. Ronde and Salterelle - Tielman Susato

XXIII. Neapolitan Dance - Peter Tchaikovsky

from "Swan Lake"

XXIV. La Vaillance - G. F. Telemann

(Valor)

XXV. Shenandoah- R.R. Terry

(Windlass and Capstan)

XXVI. All Things Bright and Beautiful - 1. Traditional/2. William H. Monk

XXVII. Londonderry Air - Irish Traditional

(Oh, Danny Boy)

XXVIII. The Kerry Dance - James Lyman Molloy

XXIX. The Lark in the Clear Air - Irish Traditional

XXX. Morning Has Broken - Gaelic Traditional

(Buenessan)

XXXI. Robin Adair - Irish Folk Song

XXXII. Skye Boat Song - Traditional Scottish Folk Song

These colorful unaccompanied musical scenes from the city are excellent study and recital pieces.The 7 short movements depict the composer's experiences during a visit to New York City. The movements are Another Sunrise, Off to a Busy Day, The Lost Key Episode, The Waitin' in Line Blues, Romantic Interlude, Sudden Storm, and Out on the Town. "Tonal, charming and imaginative! The low purchase price and the incisive approach of a skilled composer make this a piece worth seeking out.”- PMEA News

For Bassoon, Trombone or Euphonium.

8 Euphoniums; For Roger Bobo and "Stuba"

In 4 movements:

1. Hydra

2. Nessie

3. Fafner

4. St. George and the Dragon