Adams: Sonder
Expected to ship in 2-3 weeks.
Shipping Policy- Composer: Craig Adams (1997-)
- Instrumentation: Concert Band
- Work: Sonder
Description
Often in human experience, we encounter feelings or emotions that lack conventional names, going beyond terms like happiness, sadness, melancholy, or anger. I love learning about new words to describe these emotions, and came across the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, a book by author John Koenig. One of the words that immediately stuck out to me was sonder.
Sonder is the realization that every random person you see lives a life as vivid, complex, and detailed as your own. It's the understanding that your narrative is not singular, that countless lives around you are filled with ambitions, hopes, dreams, worries, stressors, and celebrations. While these lives take place alongside yours, you are nothing but a passerby; an extra in the movie of their life, where they experience things as if they are the main character.
I initially started composing this piece without this specific word in mind, but as ideas began to form and develop, it became clear to me that I was trying to capture this feeling. I even wrote a significant part of this piece while in an airport, just passing time watching hundreds of people walk past to destinations of their own, probably never to be seen by me again. Experiences like these provide me with a chance to feel deeper empathy towards others and to wonder about the interconnectedness of humanity. It's an opportunity to slow down, especially as the modern world seems to spin faster and faster towards the future.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Digital Download
Digital, PDF version of the score.
Adams: Sonder
