news

welcome 2021!

We finish this most unusual year as we began- by publishing choral music. Here are our latest publications.

From the melodious Carmine Lappano:
Irish Blessing (Solo/Unison, Piano)
Irish Blessing (SATB, Piano)
A Celtic Prayer (Solo/Unison, Piano)
A New Blessing (SATB, Piano)
Tantum Ergo (SATB a cappella)

And from the ever-interesting Beverly Lewis, two more song collections, also available as individual pieces:
Five Shakespeare Songs (SSA a cappella)
Songs of Birds and Love (SSA, Piano)

We thank all our choral friends for your interest in and business with Renforth Music and we wish you all a happy, singing New Year.

july update

We are still producing new pieces despite the Covid slow down. Have a look at the following:
Laudate Dominum (SATB a cappella)
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming (SAATB a cappella)
Before the Paling of the Stars (SATB a cappella)
- all written by prize winning composer, Russell Wilkinson.

God Be With You Till We Meet Again (SATB, piano)
Like a Dove (SATB a cappella)
- both by Carmine Lappano, a new-to-us composer. Both pieces are tuneful and not difficult. The first could be a theme song for choirs unable to meet with the current restrictions! Have a listen - you'll like it.

Fire and Ice (SATB a cappella)
- a fun setting of Frost's short poem by Laura Sgroi. Described by one reviewer as 'very inventive'.

North Wind (TTBB, piano)
- a prize-winning fine challenge for a good male chorus by Nicholas Ryan Kelly.

The following peices are new voicings of previously published pieces:
Harris Loewen - Counting Waves (TB with solo) - also SATB, SAB, SSA, all with piano
Harris Loewen - Tears and Laurels (SATB, piano) - also SSAA, TTBB, both a cappella
Beverly Lewis - The Kennebecasis River (TTB, flute, piano) - also SSA with piano

divertissement 3: petit bouquet

Petit Bouquet is our third piano solo release. It's a charming piano piece by Janis Kalnins, that's not too difficult, and with an intriguing background. VIEW HERE.

Kalnins dedicated and gifted the original manuscript to Paul and Ann Horncastle in gratitute for their support and friendship after his wife Herminé died in early 1991. He was a frequent visitor to their house and often stayed for hours playing and improvising on their piano. On his visits he always brought a little bouquet of cut flowers. On this occasion the little bouquet was not flowers but music.

Paul gave me the original music. It had no title and was handwritten on crumpled paper. I finally deciphered it and had it printed out. The Horncastles supplied the title remembering the weekly cut flowers. I visited the Horncastles with their copies and was asked to play it on the same piano Kalnins had played so often. When I finished I turned towards them. They were holding hands, Paul gazing intently at the music on the piano and Ann with the hint of a tear in her eye, both no doubt remembering the many times they had heard Kalnins play on their piano. It was a magical moment made all the more poignant with Ann’s passing shortly after. - Gervais

Price is $10.00, print copy only. Order directly through renforthmusic@rogers.com.

divertissement 2: villa largo rag

We offer another piano solo piece during this choral quiet time. LISTEN HERE, while reading what the composer, Flint Long, writes about the Villa Largo Rag:

One morning in the Springtime I went out for my usual early morning walk. It was a beautiful day in North Carolina, with a clear blue sky and white puffy clouds. As I walked along, enjoying nature and taking it all in, a melody came into my mind. It was a ragtime melody, and as I turned to return home the musical idea developed into a finished work in my mind. I could hear it clearly in its entirety. Just then, bathed in sunshine, my dream house came into view - my beautiful Villa Largo. I decided the piece should be called the Villa Largo Rag. - Flint

Price is $10.00, print copy only. Order directly through renforthmusic@rogers.com.

divertissement 1: havin' fun - piano solo

With this gap in choral music production and selling we offer this little ragtime gem for sale. Havin' Fun was written by the late Mitch Wolanski, a giant of a man with huge hands, but who could play the most exquisite piano stylings of popular songs. Although Mitch couldn't read or write music and at first only played in G major, latterly expanded to include Eb and C, his playing was a joy to listen to.

I recorded Mitch playing this piece, then transcribed it into print. Alas he passed before he was able to see the written copy. Here’s to you, Mitch. I only hope I can locate the other piano pieces you composed.

Price is $10.00, print copy only. Order directly through renforthmusic@rogers.com.

- Gervais

current events

Dear Friends,

These are difficult times for choirs, directors, and publishers alike, with rehearsals and performances cancelled indefinitely. The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing all of us to look ahead regarding future programming that will resume at some time in the future. To this end, Renforth Music is offering a 20% discount on all direct purchases until June 30, 2020. At that time we will review the situation. We encourage you to plan ahead more than usual. Have a good look at our catalogue and keep in mind our 20% offer. We have lots to offer and please contact us directly if you have any questions.

In the meantime have a listen to The Blue Bird, by Matthew Hazzard, a composition that won 2nd place at the 2011 Vancouver Chamber Choir Young Composers Choral Competition and 1st place in the 2012 North Carolina Master Chorale Composition Competition. Renforth Music publishes four other pieces by Matthew.

Best Regards,
Gervais

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