The Book of Urizen is a work for concert band solo soprano and a male narrator in which sound collages of religious expressions are used. The piece is inspired by the compelling visionary poem of the same name (which the poet illustratedhimself) by the Englishman William Blake (1757-1827) who occupies a unique position in western literature and the visual arts. He was not just a poet and a writer but he was also a graphic artist a painter an illustrator a spiritualist areligious visionary and a mystic philosopher. For the performance of this work a professional sound system including two microphones and a CD player is needed. The three sound collages are three separate tracks on the enclosed CD and can beplayed easily at the right moment. The Book of Urizen bears resemblance to Genesis and Exodus of which the contents form the basis of the Christian Jewish and Islamic faith. Blake adhered to the principle that all religions are in fact one and that deities reside in human beings. In The Book of Urizen this is represented in “The Net of Religion ” which is spanned over the earth by Urizen. The sound collages compiled by Jacob de Haan in the studio find their origin inJerusalem the Holy City where the afore-mentioned faiths “come together.” In the first movement of this composition The Vision Urizen prepares his vision of the world and he presents this to the “Eternals.” His vision is rejected and Urizen locks himself up in his own abstract world. When he does emerge again he is confronted with rage by the gathered Eternals. Urizen flees the wrath of the Eternals “the flames of eternal fury ” and enwombs himself in his own world. Whenthe Eternals see Urizen in his “stony sleep ” they wonder if this is death. The blacksmith Los is torn by grief because of the isolation of Urizen. It brings him to rouse his fires prepare his forge and to give Urizen’s world concrete form. In the second movement The Creation Urizen’s world but also man woman and child are created. Los is horrified with the appearance of Urizen’s body. He mourns and pities Urizen and from his blood a female form comes into being with thename Enitharmon. The Eternals fearful of the female form decide to erect a tent to obstruct their view to eternity. Enitharmon and Los beget a son called Orc. Los baptizes him as a child of the “fallen world.” Orc is fed at Enitharmon’s breast which makes a girdle of jealousy restrict Los’ chest. He takes the child to the top of the mountain and chains him down. The cries of Orc awaken Urizen who explores his world creating instruments of scientific measurement to do so. Los encircles theface of Enitharmon from the sight of Urizen and Orc. She then populates the earth by giving birth to an enormous race. The Web third movement of The Book of Urizen is now available: DHP 1125252

This is a book with cool pieces for those who haven’t been playing very long but still intend to steal the show! The terrific musical accompaniments on the CD will really add to the enjoyment and there is room to make up your own solos in some of the pieces.

Following in the footsteps of Ceremonial March Mercury Arsenal and Minerva Helios is a concert march in the tradition of grand English marches. In the first passage several connected themes are developed in a combination of contrasting nuances. The melodic line of the trio is long and expressive; a characteristic found in all Jan Van der Roost’s marches. Helios represents the ideal combination of rich thematic material with a traditional harmonic structure.

This second volume of easy duets offer a vast array of practice and performance material. The duets have been carefully composed and arranged to tie in with the Look Listen and Learn method books although they can equally well be used separately. Titles in Book 2 includes: Party Animal Cool Man It’s Swingtime The Chef of Kiev and many more.

In this fascinating piece composer Hayato Hirose creates a fantasy world of a pirate who dreams of sailing to a treasure island. The music follows four different scenes that are played without interruption: I. Introduction and Departure II. Banquet in the Foreign Land III. Longing in the Moonlight IV. Hurricane and Treasure Island This piece is full of drama and adventures and will bring joy and excitement to both performers and audience.

This volume of easy duets offer a vast array of practice and performance material. The duets have been carefully composed and arranged to tie in with the Look Listen and Learn method books although they can equally well be used separately. Titles in Book 1 include: The Echo Well Loudspeaker Software Beret Boogie Taxi Rag Space Rock and many more.

Overture 'Der Zigeunerbaron'-The operetta The Gipsy Baron is together with Die Fledermaus (The Bat) the most famous theatre work by Johann Strauss Jr. A libretto full of romance original musical ideas compelling Viennese dances fiery rhythmic Hungarian music and beautiful arias were just some of the ingredients that lead to its huge success. The Gipsy Baron can also be thought of as a comic opera. The main motif of this overture won first prize in a contest that was to provide a new Hungarian anthem however because Strauss did not have Hungarian nationality another melody was chosen. A great transcription to bring a Hungarian twist to any programme.

Since his first successes in the 1990s the amiable popular singer Frans Bauer has grown into a megastar in the Netherlands. In the rest of Europe too he has a massive following. Although he is derided by many because of his schmalzy style Frans Bauer sells CDs galore attracts full houses everywhere and can be viewed in his own reality soap on television. The cheery singalong Heb je even voor mij? (Got a Minute for Me) is a great top hit: a winner in every pub and at parties. This arrangement by Klaas van der Woude will put the musicians as well as the audience in a happy mood.

14 solos or duets for the beginner violinist-A fun book for beginner violinists which concentrates on both aspects of violin playing - pizzicato and bowing. The volume can be used as a solo or a duet book and combines both techniques in an imaginative and enjoyable way.

Everest is the name of a restaurant on the 40th floor of a skyscraper in Chicago. In 2003 the composer Jacob de Haan had dinner there together with his publishers and other fellow composers. The idea of composing a march to honour the excellent cuisine the magnificent view of the skyline and the pleasant atmosphere in the restaurant arose during the visit. The results can be heard in this delightful and unusual work.

There are many ways of explaining exactly how you should perform swing music but of course it’s most fun to learn as you play. With Swing Starters you will become acquainted with the idea of swing feel as you work through the book. The book contains 20 two-part swing exercises and two great bonus pieces. You can also play them as three-part pieces when combined with other instruments.

Medley of Three Russian Love Songs-A characteristic of many Russian folksongs is the emotion that they contain - sometimes exceptionally fierce sometimes in contrast resigned and melancholic. This makes the music captivating and gives it its special distinctive atmosphere. The same can also be said for From Russia with Love in which Roland Kernen has made use of three beautiful Russian love songs. In the cheerful and stirring Kalinka the singer tells of a girl whom he fell head over heals in love with so much so that she is always on his mind. Lutshje Bulo is the story of a man who wants to break up with his girlfriend and in Otschi Tschornije attention is focused on a dangerous woman who can seduce many menwith her piercing black eyes.

An exciting medley of Herb Alpert's greatest hits expertly arranged for Accordion Ensemble by Gerd Huber.

As the title suggests you will find studies in many different styles in this book from Baroque to contemporary. All the studies offer both a musical and technical challenge and are also suitable to perform as solo works. This book includes a demo CD of all the works being played by the composer Frits Damrow the principal trumpet player of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.

This volume accompanies volume 3 of the Look Listen & Learn method. Stylish Adventure presents melodies in a variety of styles including swing klezmer baroque and even an exercise in serialism (12-tone composition). A separate piano accompaniment book is available for concert performances.

« Klezmer » est le nom donné à la musique inspirée par les traditions des communautés juives de langue yiddish installées en Europe de l’Est. La musique klezmer est une musique métissée d’influences balkanes orientales et tziganes. Klezmania s’inscrit dans cette lignée. Jacob de Haan y développe un standard du répertoire : Hava Nagila .

Hayato Hirose spent his childhood and college days in the United States and it was his impressions and experiences from these years that acted as the inspiration for this exciting ‘American style’ overture. American Overture will make an ideal opening piece to any concert.

from A Discovery Fantasy- Intermezzo for Band du compositeur néerlandais Jan de Haan est une œuvre majestueuse qui s’intègre parfaitement à un cadre solennel mais constitue également un interlude reposant idéal pour tout programme de concert.

Medley of Three Russian Love Songs-A characteristic of many Russian folksongs is the emotion that they contain - sometimes exceptionally fierce sometimes in contrast resigned and melancholic. This makes the music captivating and gives it its special distinctive atmosphere. The same can also be said for From Russia with Love in which Roland Kernen has made use of three beautiful Russian love songs. In the cheerful and stirring Kalinka the singer tells of a girl whom he fell head over heals in love with so much so that she is always on his mind. Lutshje Bulo is the story of a man who wants to break up with his girlfriend and in Otschi Tschornije attention is focused on a dangerous woman who can seduce many menwith her piercing black eyes.

Blues music began in America at the beginning of the last century and has become popular all around the world and was the forerunner of such music styles as rock pop jazz and soul. In Kids Play Blues you will find thirteen fantastic blues pieces. You can use this book alongside the method Look Listen & Learn - but it can also stand alone.