Tag Archives: piano

CD – Three Sonatinas for Contrabass

Patrick Neher and Martin Kennedy have just released a new CD album of Neher’s three Sonatinas for Contrabass. This 52 minute album was recorded the second week of March, 2024, and is a sort-of “House Concert.” No AI here! This performance is minimally edited and has the energy (and full-blown human character, sounds, and technical problems) of a live performance! For students of composition and of contrabass, this recording presents a good example of contemporary counterpoint, rhythmical and expressive playing, combined with lyrical, sensitive, and accessible harmonies. Frankly, you have never heard bass playing, nor piano playing like this!!

Martin Kennedy is a well-known and prize winning composer as well as celebrated collaborative and solo concert artist. Patrick Neher, now retired, has traveled the world as a soloist, but is also known for his compositions for modern dance, film, orchestra, and chamber music that features the double bass in prominent roles. Together, these two Juilliard-trained professionals have created a unique and formidable concert CD, that can easily be a reference for virtuosity in performance as well as music composition. This CD is also available by usb2 thumb-drive (no cover art, no “record jacket”).

Soon available on ISG Music’s CD pages.

City Vignettes – Revised 2023

Patrick Neher’s 2008 composition for contrabass flute, double bass and piano, has been revised, re-edited, and arranged for two contrabasses and piano. This jazzy piece has received a face-lift!

After numerous performances and two recordings by the eminent contrabass flute player, Peter Sheridan, Patrick Neher came to the conclusion that the piece could likely be more accessible and would do well arranged for two basses. So, during the pandemic, he revised and re-edit the composition. With a few “tweaks” and some judicious editing, Mr. Neher has released the 2023 version. City Vignettes is now available for two contrabasses and piano, as well as the original composition for contrabass flute, double bass, and piano.

The three movements are: I – Corner Encounter, II – Lunàcité, and III – Block Party. As with many of Patrick Neher’s compositions, very competent players are required, and jazz is the primary genre, but there are many episodes of lyrical contemporary harmonies. This is a wonderful addition to the double bass duet repertory! Please see our contrabass in ensembles page to purchase either version.

AgroDolces trio for violin, cello, piano

Patrick Neher’s latest composition, AgroDolces for piano trio (violin, cello, and piano) is an exciting concert work that explores various ways to define and interpret music, including the feelings of “sweet and sour,” playful and forceful, lyrical and punctual. This virtuoso work was written for Nancy Bean, former Assistant Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Lloyd Smith, cellist, also formerly with the Philadelphia Orchestra; and it is in four movements: Happy, Bossa, Sara (Andante), and Allegro e giocosa

Purchase this romantic concert work, AgroDolces trio, on ISG’s violin page, cello page, or piano page. The composition will also, soon, be available in PDF format for tablets. Check out our page of sheet music available to download.

Two Springtime Arias for basses

Patrick Neher’s new Two Springtime Arias for Two Contrabasses and Piano is now available on our contrabass in ensembles page. (be sure to scroll down the page to find it!)

This lyrical work, written in the spring of 2022, reflects on emotions of hope, sadness, joyfulness, frivolity, and curiousness. It is in two movements: “After Noon’s Lament” and “Reminiscence.” Performance time is just over 13 minutes. The composition is written for accomplished bassists of equal playing ability; amateurs and professionals. It is a good pedagogical piece as well but is designed for performance. The piano part requires a good command of the piano but is not terribly challenging – an accomplished student of accompanying will enjoy the expressive yet co-collaborative nature of the part.

Patrick Neher says; “Two Springtime Arias was written during the world-wide pandemic of Covid 19. When there was a light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel, in the spring of 2022, I was inspired to compose an uplifting and challenging duet for basses, that expresses hope for a return to adventurousness; hope for a return to questing for knowledge (and shuttering of popular complacency). The duet is to be romantically interpreted with liberal tempo changes and rubato. While playing and working together, bassists will enjoy the comradship combined with feelings of accomplishment that they have created something meaningful… And they will have fun playing toegther!” ~PN, Dec. 2022

Audio Examples: Mvt.1 “After Noon’s Lament” and Mvt.2 “Reminiscence” both examples performed by Patrick Neher but are not intended to be the only “proper” interpretation. We’d like to hear Your Way!

Go to ISG’s contrabass in ensembles page to purchase.

Character Waltzes for Bass and Piano

Neher-CharacterWaltzes

ISG Publications announces the Second Edition of Patrick Neher’s Character Waltzes for Double Bass and Piano. This work, composed in 2014, is approximately 10-12 minutes and is four lyrical and short waltzes based on theatrical characters (there are “Izia”, “Marco”, “Frankie”,  and “Josephine”).

The level of challenge is rated at 8 (out of 10) for the composition’s use of the entire range of the double bass and having challenge equal to a professional bassist’s ability. See a video performance, for more information, samples, and ordering information, please head over to our music for contrabass page. For more information on Patrick Neher and his compositions, please click here.

ISG Publications / ISG Music Promotions is dedicated to publishing, presenting, and promoting today’s composers of music for double bass, cello, strings, and other instruments in combinations and solos that provide challenge for the player and lyrical yet contemporary accessibility for audiences.

patrickneher.com
patrick neher.com

Adding Audio and Video Examples

October 2022: Our goal is to add new audio and/or video examples to all our titles in the sheet music catalog. Over the next year or so, we hope to provide good quality examples of performances of our publications. That way you can sample the music a bit, before adding the sheet music to your library. The most recent additions are Bottesini two pieces for double bass and piano; Il Lamento … and La Cloche… We have also added performances of Neher’s The Frog Prince Continued… and Mucumber McGee and the Half Eaten Hot Dog – both are fun and kind-of silly children’s opera, for two singers, double bass and violin or piano. Based on popular children’s books, these two operetta’s have been performed extensively.

New Bottesini – Never before Published

Two Romantic Songs for Contrabass and Piano by Giovanni Bottesini

ISG Publications is pleased to announce the immediate availability and New Release of Two Romantic Songs for Contrabass and Piano by Giovanni Bottesini. This beautifully printed album of two art-songs from circa 1865, Il Lamento della Ghisa and La Cloche de Village, originally written by Bottesini for voice and piano, has been transcribed, arranged, and edited by Patrick Neher. This exclusive publication is the first time these songs have ever been published for contrabass solo.

If you are a Bottesini enthusiast, or just now beginning to study the music of this great master of 19th century romanticism, you are in for a real treat! Even your teacher doesn’t know about these beautiful tunes! In one album, you can study two fine examples of Bottesini’s craftsmanship. Each song is around four minutes long and encompasses a moderate mid- range for the contrabass, yet is very lyrical and mostly step-wise (without the flashy arpeggios of many of his works). These “entry-level” works are perfect to get started on the vast Bottesini repertory, and if you are an old-hand at Bottesini, you will welcome the fresh new lyricism and charm these pieces offer to be a wonderful diversion from the flash and “bravura” of much of Bottesini’s other works. Hear Patrick Neher perform “Il Lamento…”
and Hear Patrick perform “La Cloche.”

This exclusive publication, which is perfect for students in middle to high school or college, contains one solo contrabass part and two piano parts (one in solo tuning and one in orchestral tuning). PDF License will soon be available for tablets. Please see our contrabass solos page for purchase.

Concerto in D for Viola and Contrabass

Written for and to honor the accomplished career of Scott Slapin, violist, ISG Publications is pleased to announce the New Release of Patrick Neher’s stunningly virtuosic, yet accessible, Concerto in D for Viola and Contrabass with String Orchestra (or Piano). This new concerto for a moderately rare combination of instruments (viola and contrabass duet), is now available in two versions: full orchestra score with soloists and string parts by rental or purchase, and solo parts with piano reduction (see either our viola repertory page or contrabass repertory page). Both the orchestra and piano versions come with a demo recording performed by Scott Slapin, viola, and Patrick Neher, contrabass, with the Bellingham Technical Orchestra strings backing them up.

The piece is playful and energetic with three moderately quick movements, totaling approx. 18 minutes. The level of playing ability required is definitely “Professional” but is a good goal for anyone studying to be a solo violist or bassist (The contrabass part is in regular orchestral tuning. The composer does not recommend solo tuning for this piece, as the harmonic series of the regular open strings is utilized to its potential). Mvt 1 demo. Mvt 2 demo. Mvt 3 demo.

The demo recording can be obtained, gratis, by making an inquiry via our contact page. It will be sent to you via reduced fidelity mp3. Or you can receive a full-fidelity CD in the mail (USA only).

A welcome piece to the viola and bass duet repertory, Patrick Neher’s Concerto in D is an adventurous but enjoyable and rewarding composition with innovative musical development; a truly lyrical modern composition.

Character Suite for Contrabass and Piano

Patrick Neher – Character Suite for Contrabass and Piano, (or for Contrabass Solo, or for Contrabass with another bassist accompanying), is the latest title added to ISG Publications’ Premiere Pedagogy Series of innovative compositions for students and teachers.

Written for Cielito de Jesus and her students, this composition explores four “characters” and how to develop musical personality. The four movements can be performed individually or as a group and total approximately 10:00 minutes. The movement titles indicate the characteristics to develop: Foup and Twils (allegro moderato), Under Dripping Palms (andante), Plumb Foup (allegro), and G’mma’s Waltz (allegro). The solo bassist can perform in orchestral or solo tuning, as both piano parts and accompaniment bassist parts come with both tunings. Hear demonstration recordings of Character Suite on Patrick Neher’s personal web page (click the Book Two tab).

Bassists are encourage to study the pieces with a teacher, and the teacher can play the accompaniment bass part or the piano. But these pieces can also be rewarding to perform solo, with no accompaniment. This innovative way of making music provides potential for spontaneous creativity. In fact, the soloist could specify where he/she wants to be accompanied and by whom – the bassist or the pianist. Fun!

The level of skill required to play these pieces is in the moderate to advanced junior high or high school range, but college students and professionals alike will be challenged to be creative with the material. Thus, the four character tunes are oriented toward multi-skill level, they are listenable, and are especially fun to play!

Purchase Patrick Neher’s new Character Suite at our contrabass solos page.

New Release – Prokofieff Ballade op.15 for Contrabass and Piano

Prokofieff - Ballade, op. 15 for contrabass and piano
Prokofieff – Ballade, op.15 for Contrabass and Piano (ISG Publications, 2022)

As part of our Virtuoso Performer Series, ISG Publications is please to release Serge Prokovieff’s spirited and contemporary Ballade, op. 15, recently edited and transcribed for contrabass by Patrick Neher. Ballade was originally composed for cello and piano, but the composition lays well on the contrabass and has many “bass-like” characteristics. Patrick Neher has always been inspired by Prokofieff’s music, and Ballade is one of those pieces that is “perfect for the bass,” so he edited and arranged the work for contrabass. This unique publication is an excellent vehicle for a bassist and pianist to explore a wide range of potential expression and emotions. Certainly a “tour de force” work for the pianist, the composition is also complex enough for the bassist to provide years of challenge!

Dedicated to Nikolai Pavlovich Ruzsky, Serge Prokofieff wrote Ballade for Cello and Piano in 1912, and yet it still sounds contemporary, as if written just yesterday! It has a freshness that is timeless. The work is especially challenging for pianists. Clearly Prokofieff’s technique of playing the piano is well on display in this piece, requiring substantial “extended” techniques that even the most accomplished pianists will have to develop to play the work’s emotional content as intended.

Ballade was first performed in Moscow, February 1914, by Prokofieff, with cellist, Yevsey Belousov. The first publication of the work was in 1915 by publisher, J. Jurgenson. This new edition comes with the piano score spiral bound and the contrabass part staple bound. A PDF version is in the works. Purchase the sheet music on ISG Publication’s contrabass solos page.

After Every Man, second edition

Patrick Neher - After Every Man for Clarinet, Violin, Double Bass and Piano

Now Available is the Second Edition of Patrick Neher’s 2016 composition, AFTER EVERY MAN for clarinet, violin, contrabass, and piano. This six movement piece is subtitled “Theatrical Scenes” and is a 27 minute drama describing human emotional terraces. Any one movement can be performed separately but is intended to be together as a whole, dramatic performance. Via the composition, the composer attempts to musically describe and connect the audience with numerous states of deep contemplation and emotion that many humans go through in their life, from “contentment” to “absolution.” Influences of Shostokovich, Stravinsky, and jazz are apparent.

Patrick Neher says; “The piece announced itself, and I heard the themes in a very vivid dream that I had one night in the Spring of 2016. I awoke and wrote down the themes as fast as possible!”

The piece is available with full piano score, clarinet, violin and contrabass parts. See the Contrabass in Chamber Music page for purchase.

Bottesini Melodia #2 and Introduction & Gavotte – Second Editions

Bottesini’s lovely Melodia #2 for Contrabass and Piano (ISG ©1999) has been reissued. The Second Edition of Melodia #2 includes both piano parts for the contrabass in orchestral and solo tuning, and is carefully edited to reflect Patrick Neher’s concert recording of the work. This re-issue is in beautiful print and on standard concert folio sized archival paper. A PDF version is in the works.

And ISG has reissued Bottesini’s Introduction and Gavotte. The Second Edition provides this popular work with both solo tuning and orchestra tuning piano parts. Carefully edited, this edition is a reflection of the recordings and live performances of Patrick Neher.

Purchase the Second Edition of Bottesini Melodia #2 and Bottesini’s Introduction and Gavotte from ISG’s contrabass solos page.

Luigi Negri – Romantic Pieces, Second Edition

ISG Publications is pleased to release the Second Edition of Five Romantic Pieces for Contrabass and Piano by Luigi Negri (written circa 1885). These popular pieces, originally and exclusively published by ISG Publications in 2005, and edited by Remo Ricci, have had a face-lift, with a new cover and spiral bound piano part (piano part available for contrabass in orchestral or solo tuning), for easier placement on the piano music stand. In addition, the pages are now the Euro-standard size of 9″ x 12″ (verses our FIrst Edition 10″ x 13″) again, making the sheet music a bit less cumbersome, and easier for us to produce the covers in full color! Both parts have the original title pages reproduced so that the players can be inspired by the hand-written title pages of the 19th century! One final upgrade, all five pieces of Luigi Negri are available in one album. Purchase of the individual pieces will be available until stock is exhausted. After that, only the album of five pieces will be available.

Much like the music of Giovanni Bottesini, Luigi Negri also adapted many opera tunes of his day, for contrabass. Negri was a student of the same teacher as Bottesini, and was well known in his time for his virtuoso performances and inspiration teaching. For many bassists, the music of Negri is more accessible and welcome diversion from that of Bottesini.

ISG Publications is the sole world-wide publisher of these five romantic pieces: Capriccio “Rigoletto”, Fantasia “Sonnambula”, Capriccio “Alisir d’Amore”, Fantasia “Poliuto”, and Reminiscenze “Stabat Mater” (original vocal works by Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, and Rossini)

For Purchase go to the Contrabass Solos page of ISG Publications

NEW RELEASE: Affinità Ferrose – Michele Bernabei

The third composition in our new performance music series, Continually Advancing Music (CAM) is Affinità Ferosse for Piano Trio by young Italian composer Michele Bernabei. Affinitá ferrose is loosely translated into English as “an affinity for iron” or “magnetic attraction.” The music is energetic and very dynamic with challenge of a moderate nature for all instruments. Some “extended techniques” are used, but in general it is the interesting rhythms, dynamic range, pitch range, and counterpoint that the listener will find compelling and attractive (just like iron to a magnet)! The piece is not very long and the composer states that it’s drama fits well at the end of a contemporary music performance, as the finale or as an encore. ISG Publications is excited to publish the work as a wonderful new addition to the piano trio repertory.

Michele Bernabei is an accomplished jazz trumpet player and composer. He earned a BM in trumpet at the Conservatory “N.Paganini” of Genoa and an MM degree with full marks in jazz arranging and composition at the Conservatory “G. Verdi” of Turin, Italy. He studied composition at the Conservatory of Turin with Giorgio Colombo Taccani and in parallel at the “Scuola di Alto Perfezionamento Musicale” of Fiesole with Fabio Vacchi. At the same time he received the ABRSM diploma in String Orchestra Direction under the guidance of Fabrizio Dorsi. His compositional language is influenced both by jazz, improvised music, and the theater.

Purchase the SHEET MUSIC here.

New CAM Title: Forest Paths for Piano Trio

Randall Snyder’s new compositions, Forest Paths for Piano Trio, recently publish under our Continually Advancing Music Series (CAM) is an exciting addition to the repertory. The work is a set of contrasting expressions that create a “Nature” or “Garden” (Japanese-music influenced) feeling in the listener.

This short lyrical work was influenced by traditional Japanese music. Mr. Snyder says: “Forest Paths was inspired by my friendship with master Shakuhachi player, Yoshio Kurahashi. … The evolving form follows the Rokudan –  a suite of connected sections,  each becoming more rhythmically active, before a return to the quiet of  the beginning.“
See more about Randall Snyder on our Composers Page.
Score and Parts
Purchase the sheet music here.

NEW RELEASE: Jean Ahn – Froggy, Froggy for Piano Trio

Jean Ahn’s “Froggy, Froggy” for Piano Trio

The second new composition in our Continually Advancing Music Series; Froggy, Froggy for Piano Trio by Jean Ahn, promises to be an immensely popular piece for contemporary music concerts. Dr. Ahn was influenced by Korean folk lore and poetry, and brings the well-known “Froggy, Froggy …” to life in her 2009 composition adapted in 2013 for piano trio.

Jean Ahn composer
Dr. Jean Ahn

From an international call that resulted in more than 50 submissions, Jean Ahn is one of five composers that ISG Publications has chosen to highlight in our new series of chamber music publications, Continually Advancing Music.

Purchase the music on our sheet music sales web site, here.

Sonatina #4 for Contrabass

Patrick Neher’s latest opus is Sonatina #4 for Contrabass and Piano. This lyrical but virtuosic work is about 24 minutes total and includes two movements: February (Moderato, rhapsodic and very lyrical) and March (Allegro vivace giocoso). Completed in January of 2019, the Sonatina was written for the Dixie State University bass festival (February, 2019), and is dedicated to composer and bass player, Frank Proto. See video example. Buy the sheet music here.

ISG Publications Launches New Web Site

Our new web site: ISG Publications / ISG Music Promotions has just been launched! See the new look at: https://isgpublications.com or https://isgmusic.com.

This new look and organization makes it easier for users to review and purchase our exclusive sheet music and recordings. It has been a long time since the site was updated and the update allows for easier perusal of our titles. More detail about our composers, and more detail about each composition is provided. And we will be adding more and more previews or example performances. Finally, we will be adding more PDF, downloadable titles over the next few months (saves on shipping costs and can be printed at home. If you use an iPad for performance – our PDF downloadable sheet music is perfect!)

If you are one of our composers, please contact us. We need to update your biography and contact information. Email us at info@isgpublications.com

Acoustic Art Studio

AASpicISG Publications / ISG Music Promotions  recording studio, Acoustic Art Studio has returned to Bellingham, Washington. We produce Premiere Recordings for Acoustic Musicians. We produce audio and video recordings that focus on jazz, classical, folk, and other acoustic productions. We respect the performance creations of acoustic artists and support their “sound.” Our studio is perfect for recording quintets to solos, audition “tapes,” demos, coachings, master classes, workshops, lectures, voice-overs, commercials, and any production where “live” acoustic and video recording is necessary. We also do remote audio and video recordings in your space, at your music or dance recital or concert, at your lecture or demonstration, for YouTube or other productions.

You have trained to be an expressive musician. We support that, and we enhance your art; letting YOU establish all performance parameters of balance, dynamics, and nuance. We do not process your group’s sound (unless YOU want it!). For musicians and other artists, we can come to you, and we can produce tele-recording projects (multiple remote locations connected).

For more information on production rates, times, schedule, publishing and marketing, etc., go to acousticartstudio.com

 

Romance for Violin and Piano – Neher

Vln&PnoPatrick Neher’s latest commission is a virtuosic yet playful Romance for Violin and Piano, written for L.P. How, violinist, and Debra Ayers, pianist. – both residents of Santa Fe, New Mexico and internationally acclaimed soloists and chamber musicians. The three-movement composition explores the entire range of both instruments in somewhat jazzy style for the second movement, and in neo-romantic rhapsodic styles for the first and third movements. ISG Publications has rated the work at a Challenge Level of 8-9 (out of 10), being suitable for professional musicians. The work is scheduled to be recorded and premiered in the 2014-15 performance season, by How and Ayers, produced by ISG Music Promotions

For additional information and to buy the sheet music, go to our sheet music site.