Tag Archives: strings

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.

Symphony #2 “Cascade” by P. Neher

sym2p1New and hot-off-the-press, ISG Publications presents: Patrick Neher’s Symphony #2 “Cascade” (2016) in one movement.  This 23 minute tour-de-force requires a rather large Classical orchestra with virtuosic players, particularly in the strings, wood winds and percussion.

 

A demo CD is available (gratis) as are study score, performance score and orchestral parts (rental or purchase).

“Symphony #2 ‘Cascade’ is a musical painting of mountainous environments, adventures and challenges. Imagine encounters of cascades of natural resources: water falls, of course, but also snow and rock slides, trees in large cascades of color, animals in large groups (herds, flocks) – cascading down mountain sides or traversing a meandering valley. My dreams while in these environments tend toward active movement; visions of falling debris, clouds, rain, hail, torrents of chemical reactions – catalyzed by sunshine and oxygen, myself falling from a high perch, piece-by-piece,  yet soaring above cascades of wild flowers, striations of rock, glacier and lava flows.” – PN

Concerto #2 for Contrabass and Orchestra (2016)

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conc2p1Patrick Neher has very recently completed his second concerto for contrabass and orchestra. He also has recorded it, along with Concerto #1 “Pop” on a new demo CD produced by ISG Publications and Bellingham Technical Orchestra (available now).  If you want a demo copy of the CD, please use our inquiry page.

Concerto #2 is a bit more “serious” than Concerto #1 “Pop” and a tad longer. It utilizes the entire range of the double bass and has a special tuning to catch some interesting harmonics (G,D,A,D) but it can be played in regular tuning. The piece is of an expected three-movement structure, Allegro vivace, Lento (Pastoral Potpourri), and Vivace giocoso (Rondo) and orchestrated for full symphony orchestra.

Concert score (13 x 10 inches) and instrumental orchestral parts are now available for rent or purchase.  The solo contrabass part and study score (8.5 x 11 inches) are sold separately. Buy here.

Neher – Antique Furnishings, Tone Poem for Symphony Orchestra

sym1neherp1livingroom d362f7abd602db2a2a30e0495d952ccdPatrick Neher’s first symphonic work, recentlypublished by ISG Publications, is “Antique Furnishings”, a Symphonic Poem in Olden Styles. Composed in 2016 for full symphony orchestra, each movement musically describes a lavishly furnished room in a Victorian mansion, and the human interaction that, perhaps in a romantic novel, occurs in each room. The first movement is titled,  Gentlemen’s Parlor – Allegro vivace. The second movement is; Ladies Boudoir – Andante dolcissimo. The third; Master Bedroom with Columned Terraces – (also) Andante dolcissimo. And the fourth movement is; The Games Room – Vivace molto.  Each movement runs the gamut of melodic and harmonic styles from Baroque and Classical to Rococo, Romantic and Contemporary – thus the “Olden Styles” subtitle.
A truly “listenable” work, Antique Furnishings is 22 minutes long and is the first of two symphonies composed by Patrick Neher, within a year (see blogs for Symphony #2).

A demo recording (gratis upon request), a master score (11×17 inches), a study score (8.5 x 11 inches), and a complete set of parts is available for purchase or rent from ISG Publications. Please inquire.