Nabors: Concerto for Hammond Organ
Expected to ship in about a month.
- Composer: Brian Raphael Nabors (1991-)
- Format: Study Score
- Instrumentation: Orchestra, Electric Organ
- Work: Hammond Concerto (2022)
- Binding: Spiral Bound
- Size: 8.5 x 14.0 inches
Description
Instrumentation: Hammond org; 2(1) 2(1) 2(1) 2(1); 4231; timp, 4perc, egtr, ebs, hp, pno; stgs
Duration: 29′
In the history of American music, the Hammond organ has seamlessly crossed genres and broken barriers. From the spiritual silos of the Black church, to the smooth and vivacious world of Jazz, to the hardy soulfulness of Rock; the Hammond has been there. This concerto is my love letter to all that has made me the artist I am. It is a love letter to the beauty, pain, and struggle that American music was born from.
The piece is divided into 3 movements: a rhapsody, threnody, and gospel praise break:
The first movement, Rhapsody is an exploration of American sound. It is a celebration of the many cultural influences that make the US such a unique place. in a nutshell, it is everything we continue to strive for; fluid cultural integration. I send the soloist and orchestra through a whirlwind of genres. There's Latin flavor, modern jazz, hard rock, all thrown into a contemporary sound block.
The second movement, Invocation: Threnody for the Victims of Senseless Violence, Racism, Hatred & Bigotry presents many truths that concern the well-being of our nation's people. Unfortunately, even in this current day and age, America is no stranger to tragedy. Within recent years, we've had numerous isolated events of terror: mass school shootings, church shootings, shootings in public places, unlawful killings of unarmed citizens, and unjust groups who threaten our ability to have peace by pushing an agenda of hate and division. To top it off, a global pandemic. I wanted this movement to be a moment where we pay homage to all of those innocent people lost, reflect on who we are, and re-examine our core values if we are to live in a nation where everyone, regardless of where you come from, can prosper. This movement features the traditional American hymn Amazing Grace and the spiritual "Oh Freedom." in partnership with the orchestra, the organ introduces these inspirational themes with sound interruptions symbolic of a very cut-throat, visceral pain to create an all-encompassing duality of hope and tragedy. After a roaring improvised cadenza, the strings split into 14-part divisi and voices throughout the orchestra gradually gather and ascend to a soaring climax, with each individual voice creating a counterpoint representing the souls of the innocent victims ascending to claim their peace.
Finally, we have the third movement, Finale that is essentially one large gospel praise break between the organ and orchestra. It is a glimpse of what freedom sounds like and the peace that we'll have when we all understand, as Dr. Maya Angelou said, that "we are more alike, than we are unalike." This movement is lightning fast, bringing about the sound world of the Afro-American church, where echoes of praise ring out amongst the musicians.
–Brian Raphael Nabors (2022)
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.
Nabors: Concerto for Hammond Organ
