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Symphony #2 “Cascade” by P. Neher

New 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

November 30, 2016 by the isg team Composers News Recordings Sheet Music Symphonic Music

Concerto #2 for Contrabass and Orchestra (2016)

Patrick 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.

November 30, 2016 by the isg team Composers News Recordings Sheet Music Solo Music Symphonic Music

Neher – Antique Furnishings, Tone Poem for Symphony Orchestra

Patrick 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.

November 30, 2016 by the isg team Composers News Recordings Sheet Music Symphonic Music

The First Double Bass Concerto!

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Patrick Neher has just finished writing his first concerto for double bass. Concerto #1 “Pop” for Contrabass and Orchestra is three movements, playful, energetic, and “not too long” (12:00 minutes). It is contemporary sounding but very accessible on first hearing with catchy melodies. It is an exciting new piece for the double bass repertory!

Patrick Neher plays Concerto #1 “Pop” for Contrabass and Orchestra, with The Bellingham Technical Orchestra (3rd mvt.). Orchestrated for chamber orchestra (1,1,1,2,2; 1,1,1; tymp, perc,4,4,3,3,2) and solo contrabass, the sheet music, study score with solo part, performance score and parts can by purchased at ISG Publications.
A piano reduction is being created and will be released soon.

We asked Patrick why, in all his years of composing compositions with double bass, he never wrote a concerto: “I think it is because there are already so many concertos for double bass that really do a good job of showing off a player’s abilities. Before now, I didn’t think I had anything to contribute to the repertory. Now, I have a lot of ideas, and this will not be the only concerto for bass that I will write – promise!”

And why is it subtitled “Pop?” “Well, the second movement is an Elegy to my father who passed away a little more than a year ago. My Pop…. and the composition is very much in a sort-of Hollywood style!”

This new concerto is recommended for adept high-school and college players, as well as for professionals who want to apply their new techniques to a soon-to-be-popular piece!

See more compositions for double bass at ISG Publications

February 16, 2016 by the isg team Composers News Recordings Sheet Music Solo Music Symphonic Music

Romance for Violin and Piano – Neher

Patrick 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.

October 26, 2014 by the isg team Chamber Music Composers News Sheet Music Solo Music

Trio ‘Mimi’ for clarinet, violin, & double bass

Trio ‘Mimi’ for clarinet, violin, and double bass, by Patrick Neher is playfully described as a “mini-operetta.” It combines three character roles (where each player must speak and/or sing a bit – along with skillfully playing their instrument) in a short drama about Mimi, the cat. Trio ‘Mimi’ is in one movement divided into four short acts. The total playing time is about 20 minutes. The piece was composed originally for L.P. How, violin, and Pamela Epple, oboe. It was transcribed for clarinet in 2015 and was premiered at Washington Allegro Vivace Ensemble concerts in Bellingham, WA in 2016, Sarah Brown, clarinet, Yvette Holswarth, violin, and Patrick Neher, double bass. This playful work is a big hit with audiences, as it combines humor and virtuosity is a truly distinctive form. Order it from the double bass in ensemble pages at ISG Publications: isgpublications.com

June 26, 2014 by the isg team Chamber Music Composers News Sheet Music

Dittersdorf Sonata for viola & contrabass, or 2 basses

Karl Ditters Von Dittersdorf composed this Sonata in Eb for viola and contrabass sometime in the 1780s. This new edition is a completely revised editing and arrangement of the work. The editing, done by Patrick Neher, professor of music, takes into account the two existing scores of the piece and adapts much to accommodate the modern double bass. It is thought that the music was composed for the Viennese Contrabass, tuned in D major. So, an edition for two basses has been produced as well. Both editions are available NOW!

To order the new edition of the Dittersdorf Sonata in Eb for viola and contrabass, or the Sonata in D for two contrabasses, go to our sheet music sales site:
ISG Publications

ISG Publications publishes interesting sheet music for concert, and some pedagogical works. All of our titles have cello or double bass play prominent roles, and provide substantial challenge to the players to keep musicians and audience engaged for years.

June 10, 2013 by the isg team Chamber Music News Sheet Music

Findeisen “Nixenreigen Fantasie”

Theodor Albin Findeisen (1881-1936) wrote Nixenreigen Fantasie, for double bass and piano, around 1910-1912, and the work is his Opus 9. Dr. Robert Matheson, bassist, composer, arranger, and professor has brought this and other works of Findeisen to light in his doctoral thesis. Dr. Matheson has chosen ISG Publications to disseminate Findeisen’s compositions, that have been out of print or were never published.

Findeisen’s music represents the only compositions for solo double bass from the early twentieth century’s compositional style akin to Richard Strauss or early Schoenberg. It is rich, full, romantic, and challenging, with full use of chromaticism and counterpoint.

“Nixenreigen” is based on a poem that tells of a musician’s walk home one night through the woods, when met by fairies frolicking about and dancing to his music. To have the double bass play the lead role in this story is quite a feat in itself. The entire range of the instrument is utilized in the composition, and even though the lyricism is beautiful, it is a wonderful technical challenge for any student or professional bassist.

ISG Publications is proud to present this newly published composition.

January 22, 2013 by the isg team Chamber Music News Sheet Music Solo Music