WINGERT-JONES PUBLICATIONS

A wonderful transcription taken from "The Slippers", the only comic opera written by Tchaikovsky. Opening with a short and stately fanfare, the music then bursts into a flurry of rhythmic activity that depicts the boundless energy displayed by a troupe of Ukrainian dancers. A programming jewel for accomplished bands.

A resplendent example of Tchaikovsky's remarkable grasp of symphonic writing, these dances are among the very best of his dance sequences. Transcribed for band, they are  taken from the opera "The Oprichnik," which means "guardsman." The oprichniki were the personal bodyguards of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The opening dance features various woodwind solo passages that display a hauntingly poignant Slavic flavor. The second dance begins vigorously and surges forward with ever-increasing accelerandi that surge to the fiery conclusion.

A classic grande marcia in the Italian style, The Florentiner is now available in an edition for modern concert bands. Conductors, musicians, scholars and audiences will enjoy this march in the first American edition that is faithful to the original Fucik manuscript.

This is the best known of the many works written by E.V. "Honey Boy" Cupero during his successful career as a cornetist, band leader, music director, arranger, and composer. First published in 1914, it is a classic example of marches from this era, and it was very popular with American minstrels and circuses.

Written for the great Norwegian poet Bjornstjerne Bjornson, a very close friend of the composer, this was composed as a funeral march upon his death in 1910. The music's link with Bjornson is underscored by the fact that it opens with a paraphrase of the Norwegian national anthem. At the peak, it suddenly falls away, and following a roll of the timpani, the anthem is played in its entirety. Vocal parts sung by members of the ensemble contribute to the overall effect and make this a most memorable and moving work.

John Clifford Heed (1862-1908) was known as the "March Wizard," and has more than 60 published marches to his credit. In Storm and Sunshine was one of his earliest works, and it remains his most popular work to this day. It has all the ingredients for a great march, and this revised edition from Colonel Bourgeois provides a fresh approach to the long time favorite.

Best known for his marches, Davide delle Cese was an Italian band leader, composer and teacher who enjoyed a long and rich musical career. His march, Inglesina, is one of his most popular marches and is an international favorite. This accomplished edition is based on the original 1871 Italian edition and brings new excitement and freshness to a European classic.

In 1922 Halvorsen was commissioned to write incidental music for the bicentennial performance of a comedy written by Norwegian playwright Ludvig Holberg. Masquerade calls for a diverse pallet of music depicting ballet and dance scenes filled with silly play and gaiety. As a result, the music is graceful, as found in Cotillion, playful as in the Bacchanale, and burlesque for the Rooster and Grotesque dances. The original Masquerade Suite for orchestra consisted of eight dances; this arrangement for concert band comprises the first, third, fifth and sixth movements of Halvosen's original suite. A delightful programing selection displaying humor, wit and elegance in the four brief movements.

Beethoven's original band work has become accessible in a musically accurate, modern edition, providing an opportunity for today's bands to experience a great, historic work. This will be a significant addition to the repertoire of serious conductors of wind band literature.

This four-movement suite was written in 1909, just before the Sousa Band's world tour. The movements are titled: The Champagnes; The Rhine Wines; The Whiskies - Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, and Rye; and Convention of the Cordials. Each movement reflects the country or region from which the various drinks are derived and can also be performed as separate works. The suite was later revised for orchestra but was never published for band until now. An historically important and welcome addition to the band repertoire!

Taken from the patriotic-heroic opera "A Life for the Tsar," in which Glinka presents a tableau of four Polish dances. One of them, Krakoviak, is a fast, syncopated imitation of horses. Well-loved in the Krakow region for military as well as civilian use, the horses' steps are mimicked by a large on-stage band. This fiery dance is an important part of this popular piece of the Russian operatic repertory.

While not as well known, some of Tchaikovsky's best symphonic writing is found in his operas and ballets.  This selection from his only comic-fantasy opera is actually featured on-stage with a wind band performing this polonaise!  Colonel Bourgeois' well-crafted edition brings this wonderful work to life and provides an outstanding work for accomplished bands.

"Parsifal", written in 1882, was the final opera by composer Richard Wagner (1813-1883). The prelude is a miniature masterpiece consisting of only 116 measures. The form of the prelude is similar to that of the classical three-movement overture and consists of four musical motives: the mystical realm of the Holy Grail; the Grail itself in the Dresden Amen; Faith, represented by the brass chorale; and the Agony of Amfortas. This transcription by John R. Bourgeois faithfully adheres to Wagner's intent both in key relationships and orchestration.

W. Paris Chambers was one of the most acclaimed march composers of the latter half of the 19th century, and this wonderful march shows why! The unique organ-like middle section has an almost hymn-like character that makes it special in the march genre.

One of the world's most famous marches, Semper Fidelis is the official march of the United States Marine Corps. Finally, it is available in an edition prepared by the director of the U.S. Marine Band, as actually played by that great organization.

This exciting Slavic march is one of the gems to come out of post-Cold War Russia!  Adapted for American concert band instrumentation by John Bourgeois, this vibrant march in a "Sousa meets the Volga Boatman" style brings to mind a Russian military band marching through Moscow's Red Square. A unique and stirring addition to the march repertoire! 

An American masterpiece!  This special Sesquicentennial Edition of Sousa's greatest and most well-known work was prepared by the former conductor of the "President's Own" United States Marine Band.  The combination of musical composition with conducting acumen, historic research and 100 years of performance tradition makes this the definitive edition of America's favorite march. 

This is a remarkable find! After the fall of the Soviet Iron Curtain, an incredible wealth of previously unknown symphonic band material was discovered, and this amazing work stands out as a masterpiece. At 14 minutes long, this four-movement symphony for winds is reminiscent of Prokofiev and Ewald, and is as powerful as the orchestral symphonies of Kalinnikov! Top-level symphonic bands have made this important work a jewel of their concert repertoire!  

This fine addition to the Bourgeois Editions is from Tchaikovsky's grand opera, The Maid of Orleans. Based on the story of Joan of Arc, the three movements can be performed together, or the first and last dances can stand alone in performance as well. Movements include: Dance of the Bohemians - a bright and lively display of virtuosity; Dance of the Pages - an elegant minuet scored for chamber winds; and Dance of the Actors - a fiery and robust finale ideal for any performance. It's a brilliant showcase for upper-level ensembles.

Transit of Venus March was written in 1883 to celebrate the 1882 transit of Venus, a rare astronomical event when Venus passes between the sun and the earth. The work was thought to be lost for over 100 years until a piano transcription published in 1896 was found in the Library of Congress. This edition received its first performance by the United States Marine Band on June 6, 2012, which is also the date the most recent transit of Venus occurred.

Franz von Suppe was born Francesco Ezechiele Ermenegildo Cavaliere di Suppe-Demielli on April 18, 1819. His father and grandfather were both civil servants, and he was distant relative of Gaetano Donizetti. He displayed his talent at an early age when he began to compose music as a young boy, but despite this he received no encouragement from his father to pursue a career in music. He went on to compose many operas, most of which remain relatively obscure; however, the overtures to "Poet and Peasant" and "Light Cavalry" are well known and have been quite popular in transcriptions for concert band and widely used in movies and cartoons. Highly exuberant and spirited, Vienna Jubilation Overture contains all the thrilling elements that are evident in all of von Suppe's remarkable overtures.