for Violin & Piano – SHEET MUSIC $6.95

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It’s that time of year! Bring on the figgy pudding, and crack open the violin case… Enjoy Richard‘s lively renditions of two Christmas carols for violin & piano, Joy to the World & Carol of the Bells.

CLICK HERE to hear a performance by Richard Altenbach, Violin & Nancy McCrae, Piano

CONTACT info@richardaltenbach.com to purchase and download the sheet music for this piece – $6.95

You will receive instructions on payment method and subsequently be sent the PDF in an e-mail. THANK YOU!

DESCRIPTION OF THE 2 CAROLS :

Joy to the World – Often attributed to G. F. Handel, this venerable song is actually the result of the “Frankenstein-ing” of several musical phrases together over the years by a series of English Methodist ministers, the final form arising from America. The tune we know today is the 1848 version composed by Lowell Mason, who admittedly utilized musical fragments from Handel’s Messiah and other oratorios! Perhaps this patchwork compositional approach accounts for the unusual and cumbersome pause which occurs after the second phrase, “Let earth receive her King!” – usually resulting in a sudden metrical change from 4/4 to 2/4, and then back to 4/4 time.

The Carol of the Bells – This dynamic, compelling tune from Ukraine, originally a pagan folk chant, tells the tale of a swallow flying into a household to proclaim a plentiful New Year for the family. The title, “Shchedryk” refers to “bounty”. The carol was sung on the eve of January 3rd, heralding the New Year according to the Julian Calendar. Of course now it is a favorite worldwide, can to be heard all through the Christmas season.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

I composed this waltz, originally a much longer work for solo piano, when I was 14 years old. This theme was to accompany a Halloween story (audio tape) I made about an evil, marauding scarecrow that, well … suffice to say the thing just wanted every part of itself to become human in the worst way! “If I only had a brain…” comes to mind, with a twist. I know, I know – dark right? But this was a time in my life when I considered Edgar Allan Poe’s “Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket” light reading.

This arrangement for Violin & Piano (preferably father & son!) features my son (13 years old) in his most recent live recital on piano accompanying the composer (dad, a few years older).

Boo…

My dad Norbert was a very kind and goodhearted soul who loved his family. I cherish those times he took me on hikes as a boy and man; I owe, in part, my love for nature, and definitely for MUSIC to him. He was a talented singer and instrumentalist, and we enjoyed playing together.

Here is Heuriger, our rendition of Richard Rodgers‘ beautiful Edelweiss … performed in a “virtual” Austrian wine tavern .

In honor of all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah – the beautiful prayer, the Avinu Malkeinu, translated as “Our Father, Our King” (Richard on Viola, Violin, MIDI)

Very proud of the performance of Richard Strauss‘ Epic ALPINE SYMPHONY at the Mondavi Center by the Auburn Symphony, Conductor Peter Jaffe (I am Concertmaster).

SELECTIONS FROM Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) featuring violin solos from Concertmaster Richard Altenbach – FROM “Eintritt in den Wald” THRU “auf blumige Wiesen”:

Here are some YouTube videos of the concert performance (highlights):
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Wiederschauen !!!

Congratulations, Leaf!

Paint Me in the Opera House, a stylish, dark and atmospheric horror short, has received many accolades and has screened at the venerable Aero Theatre in Santa Monica!  Richard scored the film.

Written & Directed by Leaf Lieber.

OFFICIAL SELECTION LIFT-OFF NEW YORK ONLINE FILM FESTIVAL 2018
WINNER BEST OF FEST SCREEN FILM FESTIVAL 2018
WINNER BEST DIRECTOR SCREEN FILM FESTIVAL 2018
WINNER BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT SEVEN HILLS FILM FEST 2017
WINNER BEST PRODUCING MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2017

Click here to hear cues scored by Richard for the film. Reminds me of Poe’s quietly shrieking horror story, the Oval Portrait. (Could be described as Black Swan meets Psycho!)

Richard teaches violin to intermediate and advanced students, as well as offers coaching to chamber ensembles.  

Having experienced 6-hour studio sessions followed by evening rehearsals/performances daily for many years, Richard has had to manage practicing and playing efficiently, safely and effectively. He has great empathy for players who have suffered through physical issues such as tendonitis and stress due to their avid, passionate love of music and desire to strive towards technical and musical excellence (Been there!).

Richard believes in approaching the instrument in the most natural, comfortable and logically intelligent manner possible.  Physics & Psychology are the two “(silent) P” -word concepts at the key to good playing.  He likens his philosophy to the principles espoused in W. Timothy Gallwey’s great book, the Inner Game of Tennis, emphasizing preference of balance, leverage and gravity over the use of force and pressure.

Richard is known for imparting his ideas on “balance & leverage” vs. “force” in a calm and patient manner.  He is deeply passionate about music, and has a talent for conveying concepts and facts in a compelling, convincing way.  A good sense of humor is another main quality he has found invaluable to the task; stay tuned for “Hickey-free” Blogs

My son Bren, age 10, sings On Your Way Home in this studio recording of the most beautiful song in the musical. He is performing as “James”, the Lead in Sierra Stages production of “James & the Giant Peach” July – August 2018 at the venerable Nevada Theater in Nevada City, CA.

https://soundcloud.com/richard-altenbach/on-your-way-home-from-james-the-giant-peach-bren-altenbach-vox-ken-getz-piano

His mom, Dawn, sings the part of “Ladybug” and also has a heart-rending song. I am very proud of them…

I’m in the (peach) pit scraping away on the violin!

I’ve been thinking about Easter, and thinking is dangerous…

Reflections on Easter… “THE 3 DAYS” – Good Friday through Easter (“Father… Why Hast Thou?” – “is novus dies” [“This New Day”]

Music composed and performed by Richard Altenbach, ASCAP ©2018