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Works for Solo Instruments
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Instrumentation
My solo instrumental scores
(unless otherwise noted)
are scored for the specific instrument and piano accompaniment
Please see the individual descriptions of each piece to determine the specific ensemble needs of each work.
BEWARE: Most of my piano scores, while being accompaniments to the featured instrument, are far from being easy - I love to play and write challenging and fun piano music, and I hope you will enjoy the challenges as well.
Road Tested
All of my solo instrumental works have been 'road tested' - that is, they've been rehearsed and successfully performed by both amateur and professional musicians
Any bugs in either composition or music engraving have been worked out and corrected. You can purchase and perform my scores without fear of something going wrong on my end and wasting valuable rehearsal time on yours.
Personalized Arrangements
I can re-arrange or tweak any of the works listed here to suit your specific ensemble needs -
please contact me for details.
I am also available for commissions or specific
composing or arranging needs.
I work quickly and efficiently
and can guarantee a work
of high quality for a very
reasonable price.
A Note About My Scores
Purchasing the work allows the buyer to copy as many parts as are needed for their specific ensemble.
Buyers are kindly asked not to lend, sell or otherwise distribute my scores outside of the specific ensemble for which they were purchased. Please refer interested parties to my website.
Performances
When you perform one of my works, I would be delighted to know how it was received - by both the audience and the musicians. This will help me both improve and document my compositions.
Programs, press releases, critical reviews and recordings are all sincerely valued and appreciated.
Recordings
Audio (unless otherwise noted)
is for reference only and will give your ensemble an opportunity
to hear the composition.
My audios are typically created using
Wallander Note Performer 2.0
and Sibelius 7.5 - 8.5
If you need anything...
If you have a question about anything, please drop me an email and I'll do my best to provide you
with an answer as quickly as
I am able.
Thank you for being here.
I appreciate your interest
and hope to work with you.
David
Taliesin ---- Violin and Piano
$ 100.00 (USD)
Taliesin is the name of the legendary Welsh bard and warrior poet. The name was made famous in the 20th century by iconic Welsh-American architecht Frank lloyd Wright, who named one of his most famous houses after the bard. This arrangement for violin and piano evokes some smokin' Celtic fiddlin, while quoting two Welsh folks songs "Myn Mair" (a beautiful bitter-sweet lament for a lost love, and possibly a secret song to the Blessed Virgin in anti-Catholic times as well) and "Y Fwyalchen" (the blackbird).
In Taliesin I've tried to evoke the magic, the poetry and the power of Wales.
Celtic dance rhythms, poly-rhythmic grooves, and pyrotechnic piano and violin parts make this a very exciting work. This arrangement is difficult for both the pianist and violinist, but is an unbelievably exciting piece to play, and has continually brought audiences to their feet at its conclusion.
This was written in honor or my Welsh grandfather David Hughes, and with admiration for my friend, violinist Leah Kim.
Price includes conductor's score and single copies of all parts. Parts may be copied to meet specific ensemble needs.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Assurance ----- Bb Trumpet and Piano
$ 100.00 (USD)
Assurance is a whimsical blending of three seemingly disparate works: The hymn tune "Blessed Assurance", JS Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and cool jazz of the 1960's. All three elements are blended together seamlessly for an exciting tour-de-force performance suitable for church and concert hall.
This is part of a larger suite for Trumpet and Piano called "Hymn Triptych" written for my friend and incredible trumpet virtuoso Dr. Bryan Edgett. All 3 movements of the suite are available here separately.
Price includes conductor's score and single copies of all parts. Parts may be copied to meet specific ensemble needs.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Clair de Lune (G. Faure) ---- Oboe and Piano
$ 75.00 (USD)
Clair de Lune is a moody and strangely evocative work by the French composer Gabriel Faure, best know for his Requiem. Faure wrote this work for piano, and also did an arrangement of it for voice and piano. I had the pleasure of working with a superb oboe player Samantha Mendez, who inspired me to craft this arrangement of Faure's piece, and to whom this work is dedicated. Although Debussy's composition of the same name is surely more popular, Faure's evocative offering is exquisite and shouldn't be overlooked.
Price includes conductor's score and single copies of all parts. Parts may be copied to meet specific ensemble needs.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Engleberg (When in our Music God is Glorified) ---- Bb Trumpet and Piano
$ 100.00 (USD)
Engleberg is the name of the hymn tune by Victorian English composer Charles Villiers Stanford, typically sung to the words "When in our music God is glorified". This work, the finale of "Hymn Triptych" is scored using sonata form. A cantabile development section provides a respite from the bustle of the opening exposition, while a breathtaking coda (Alleluia) follows the shortened recap which sweeps the audience to a rousing climax. Poly rhythms, scintillating and glittering piano figurations and majestic trumpet calls fill this exciting work. This arrangement is suitable for church or concert use.
Written for my good friend and trumpet virtuoso Dr. Bryan Edgett.
Price includes conductor's score and single copies of all parts. Parts may be copied to meet specific ensemble needs.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
When Johnny Comes Marching Home ---- Piano and Organ
$ 150.00 (USD)
When Johnny Comes Marching Home is a well known Civil War song about the happy and triumphant return of a gallant serviceman. It is perhaps one of the best known tunes in American history. This piece was commissioned for the "Tribute to 9/11" concert at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States, and was performed by David Bryant (piano) and Ron Matthews (organ). The work itself is a Theme with 3 variations. A completely fun and entertaining piece to play and which audiences love.
Price includes conductor's score (piano and organ). Score may be copied for other player.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Dueling "GREAT" Pianos ---- 2 Pianos 4 Hands
$ 150.00 (USD)
Dueling "GREAT" Pianos came about as the result of a misunderstanding. As I was scoring a piece for piano duet for my friend and mentor Dr. Ron Matthews, I asked Ron what his favorite hymn was. I thought he said "How Great Thou Art" but in reality, he said "Great is Thy Faithfulness". As we proceed with the performance, each pianist is bound and determined to make sure their hymn is the ONLY one being played. Finally, after a cacophonous crash, lines are drawn, Dueling Banjos is quoted and a grand battle ensues. Each tune is then combined with bluegrass banjo licks (Foggy Mountain Breakdown and The Ballad of Jed Clampett) until the battle is amiably called off at the very end. Add to this an optional bluegrass choir part, and you've got a great comedy number for your next concert.
Price includes dual piano score. Score may be copied for other player.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Holy Manna ---- Piano Solo
$ 25.00 (USD)
Holy Manna is the title of the hymn tune most often sung to the words "Brethren, we have met to worship". This arrangement features polyrhythms, canons, kaleidoscopic key changes and scintillating piano figurations, all designed to dazzle an audience and celebrate musical gifts. It's also REALLY fun to play. Advanced technic is needed. Suitable for church or concert.
Price includes single score.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Come Thou Font ---- Piano Solo
$ 25.00 (USD)
Come Thou Font of Every Blessing (Nettleton) is an arrangement for piano that combines two of my keyboard heroes - Ray Charles, Keith Emerson and Elton John. After a calm bluesy introduction, we are launched into a middle section that combines gospel licks with R&B progressions and runs. All of this morphs into a rock solid blues verse, which finally subsides back to the original calm introduction. A great trip through several styles and eras of piano playing. Requires advanced technic.
Price includes single score.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Jacob's Ladder --- Piano Solo
$ 25.00 (USD)
We are Climbing Jacob's Ladder is an old African american Spiritual. This arrangement is in a robust rock style, and includes wonderful percussive passages for the pianist. "Keyboard Drumming" would be an accurate way to describe several passages of the work, as it takes the audience through many moods - from cheerful to somber, from anxious and tentative, hopeful and finally joyful. Advanced technic is necessary.
Price includes single score.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Fantasy on 3.5 Carols ----- Piano Solo
$ 30.00 (USD)
Fantasy on 3.5 Carols combines 3 well known Christmas carols (Greensleeves, God Rest Ye Merry gentlemen, Carol of the Bells) and combines them using hand damping and plucking techniques in the piano. As a result, a grand piano is needed to successfully perform this work. Carols are treated to a variety of classic, jazz and fusion elements, before slipping into an unabashedly Rachmaninoff style ending, where the half carol is finally quoted (He is Born). advanced technic required.
This is a real crowd pleaser and has repeatedly brought audiences to their feet in both the US and Europe.
Price includes single score.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Variations of "Hyfrydol" --- Organ solo
$ 25.00 (USD)
Variations on Hyfrydol (Come Thous Long Expected Jesus) is a theme and 4 variations on this famous and beautiful Welsh Hymn. After a majestic statement of the hymn tune, we are treated to a sprightly and whimsical variation, followed by as more serious variation accompanied by winding chromatic harmonies. The third variation creates a slow and introspective mood, followed by the finale which opens up the entire organ and finishes the hymn in the pedals. The theme is restated and culminates in a grand coda.
advanced technic is required for this piece.
Price includes single score. Parts may be copied to meet specific ensemble needs.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
We Three Kings --- Organ Solo
$ 25.00 (USD)
True Confession: I HATE the tune of "We Three Kings" - so in an attempt to exorcise my disdain for this piece, I wrote a descriptive organ piece based on the tune. It starts with far off musical motifs searching...searching... as the caravan comes into view their music gets louder, and before we realize it, we are in the midst of an ancient Middle-Eastern camel led caravan accompanied by the bustle and noise which it brings - the caravan passes, and we hear the last strains of their delightful music whisper to the cool dark sands as they journey to Bethlehem, leaving us in the quite desert night. Well, I tried.... Actually, audiences love this piece, and it surprised even me.
intermediate technic is necessary for this piece.
Price includes single score. Parts may be copied to meet specific ensemble needs.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Morning Has Broken --- Organ solo
$ 25.00 (USD)
Morning Has Broken is a delightful and short organ solo. The Irish heritage of poetess Eleanor Farjeon is given a nod in the lively middle section, which gives the tune a caleidh treatment accompanied by drones and zimbelstern, before returning to the tune for a final fling.
intermediate technic is needed for this piece.
Price includes single score.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Gethsemane --- Piano and String Quartet
$ 100.00 (USD)
Gethsemane is program music depicting Jesus' tormented prayers in the garden hours before his crucifixion. The scripture says that he
Price includes conductor's score and single copies of all parts. Parts may be copied to meet specific ensemble needs.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.
Natalie ---- Jazz Piano (Jazz Quartet)
$ 25.00 (USD)
Natalie was composed in honor and in memory of my beloved piano teacher Natalie Hinderas. Natalie was a ground breaking African American woman pianist that blazed a trail of equality and excellence everywhere she went. A kind, gentle and unassuming woman, Natalie nevertheless was an amazingly passionate pianist, and a superb teacher. She loved her students, and taught right up to the end of her life - none of us even knew she was dealing with terminal cancer. She was a warrior, a poet and the strongest woman I have ever known.
I once had a lesson at her home in Elkins Park PA. I played listlessly and unimaginatively, and she chided me on my playing. I responded by saying that I was a little disappointed in her piano. The action was sluggish, and the tuning wasn't quite right. She listened, asked me to move aside, and sat down and played the same piece (Schumann's Carnaval) with incredible passion, inspiration and clarity. The piano literally sang and thundered. She got up and said "There is no such thing as a bad piano - there are only bad pianists." The truth hurts.
Also available for jazz quartet - piano, tenor sax, bass & drums.
Price includes piano score, or if purchasing quartet version, piano score with sax, bass and drum charts.
Score purchase is not transferable between ensembles. Scores may not be shared, copied, lent or used by any other person or persons except the purchaser and his or her ensemble.