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29/1/2021

'Signposts' ahead for Solo Mandolin Music

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Are you looking for a book of solo mandolin music to help develop your playing?
 
Suitable for the advanced beginner – intermediate player, Signposts presents eight fun pieces varying in style from the charming Calypso to the popular, traditional tune Scarborough Fair

Composer Hugh Boyde has curated a playlist of videos, performing each piece from the book here 
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In addition to helping develop technique...

​These pieces aim to place those techniques within the context of pieces which typify particular genres & to spark (or ‘signpost’) ideas for the more adventurous player as to how other, similar pieces might be arranged for solo mandolin.

For an instant access PDF download version of Signposts click here & for a hard copy book here

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23/1/2021

...so this is what happened review

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Christoph Enzel’s piece …so this is what happened received a great review in the Winter 2020 CASS Magazine by Gerard McChrystal.

​This fun solo piece for Eb Saxophone is the result of a composer's slam and is designed to be a crowd pleaser. 

​
Reviewing for CASS, McChrystal writes:
"The hypnotic opening leads to a really cool and funky meno messo, with a heavy metal feel! [...] If you like pieces like Lauba's Steady Study on the Boogie or Barry Cockcroft's Kuku you will love this one."

...so this is what happened by Christoph Enzel is available as both a hard copy book & an instant access download, just click here

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4/1/2021

Clarinet Music in CASS

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Did you see our free sheet music for clarinet in CASS?

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We're delighted to have an article in the latest issue of CASS Magazine, presenting some fun, free sheet music for clarinet by Roger Purcell! ​

'Storm in a Teacup' is a fast and technical solo clarinet piece from the best-selling book Scaling the Heights, a guide to good clarinet playing with 60+ original study pieces, 'scaling' up in difficulty from grades 1 - 8. 

'Piece O' Cake' is a lively, bouncy duet from Take Two Clarinets Book 2 which we hope the individual player can still enjoy using our custom, play-along tracks, despite current difficulties with group playing.

We're proud to publish Roger Purcell's works at Astute Music. Have a look at his catalogue of original, educational & enjoyable music (most of which now come with optional, custom play-along tracks) at bit.ly/astutemusic. 

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The Winter 2020 issue of CASS Magazine is a brilliant read, including features on saxophonist Timothy McAllister, Alastair Penman's new EP 'Do you hear me?' & Jenni Watson and Emma McPhilemy's project #lockthesaxdown.
​

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6/10/2020

Remembering Alison Stephens

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Alison Stephens was the leading exponent of the classical mandolin in the UK, working at one time or another with most of the country’s major orchestras. She did much to popularise the instrument too, through contributions to popular films (most notably Captain Corelli’s Mandolin), live performances, teaching and composing.

​A formidably accomplished musician, educator and composer, Alison was also the founding mandolin editor of Astute Music; editing and composing a catalogue of mandolin music for all abilities, ensuring that future generations of mandolin players would have an easier journey than the difficult road of musical discovery she had to navigate.

Admired by her many friends and colleagues, and much missed by her friends here at Astute Music, we fondly salute her memory at this poignant ten year anniversary of her untimely death. 

Read more about Alison's life and career here 
Explore her publications here
Listen to Alison's recordings here
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Alison Stephens & Louis de Bernières at BMG Rally

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31/7/2019

Bach Flute Solos Review

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We're delighted to have a great review of one of our flute solo publications in this months Music Teacher magazine.
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Suites No. 1 BWV 1007 and No. 2 BWV 1008 (flute solo) by J.S. Bach arranged by Astute Music's Flute editor, Clare Southworth

​Movements from this publication are set on the Associated Board and Trinity Exam syllabus:
ABRSM Grade 8 piece - 1st Movement from Suite No.2
​Trinity Flute Grade 7 piece - Prelude from Suite No.1
​Trinity Flute Grade 8 piece - Giga from Suite No.2

For more information on the suites click here 

Whilst you're here... we highly recommend Clare Southworth's #1 flute podcast Talking Flutes! Find out more here


- Link HERE

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5/6/2019

Behind the scenes... with Andy Scott & Tim McAllister

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Enjoy this vlog of a truly special weekend spent at Potton Hall recording an album of Saxophone repertoire by composer Andy Scott. Meet American Saxophonist Timothy McAllister and duo-partner, pianist Liz Ames and take a look #bts of the making of WESTLAND...

Great video filmed by Jamie Sharp, you can follow his instagram here

Team
Andy Scott - Composer
Tim McA
llister - Saxophonist
Liz Ames - Pianist
Rachel Smith - Producer
Peter Newble - Sound Engineer
Emma McPhilemy - Page Turner
Jamie Sharp - Videographer

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2/5/2019

Tjuonavagge

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Tjuonavagge by Andy Scott received it's North American Premiere this March with Gillian Blair and Nathan Mertens on alto saxophones.
This is a live recording of the premiere at the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 4 Opening Concert 2019 Faulkner Performing Arts Center, University of Arkansas with Dr. Chris Knighten conducting the University of Arkansas Saxophone Ensemble.

Originally written for two altos and saxophone ensemble, Tjuonavagge was commissioned by Selmer Paris Saxophones and given a world premiere performance at the 9th RNCM Saxophone Day in November 2009 with soloists Vincent David and Carl Raven. Gillian Blair and Nathan Mertens gave the world premiere of the version for two solo alto saxophones and piano with Rie Yokota (piano) at the World Saxophone Congress, Zagreb, Croatia, July 2018.

As well as performing in a saxophone duo with Nathan, Gillian is also a member of the Borealis Saxophone Quartet and the Polaris Duo (saxophone & harp). Find out more about Gillian here and Nathan here.

Tjuonavagge by Andy Scott for two altos and saxophone ensemble is available HERE
Tjuonavagge by Andy Scott for two altos and piano is available HERE

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27/2/2019

Interference - Tom Plater

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Another great live performance of Interference by Will Gregory for solo saxophone with electronics. Enjoy this video of Tom Plater's performance at the XVIII World Saxophone Congress 2018 in Zagreb...
Composer Will Gregory says, "There are certain undefined, misheard or otherwise unclear sounds that leave our brains free to invent and delude. One device which favours sounds of this type is the AM radio. Was that someone whistling the last bar of the Czech National Anthem while playing space invaders in a revolving door; or just a low battery. The leap that we make towards interpreting what we cannot hear also has a strong element of nostalgia. Perhaps we will never again hear something quite like that. Our aerial will never pass exactly through that same strip of space. In the end we accept the shortfall between our ears and our understanding. We can choose to enjoy it. We can have a big knees-up to a good signal, even if we're not sure of what it is or where it comes from."

Check out Tom Plater's website HERE

Interference for saxophone and CD by Will Gregory is available as a hard copy and PDF download HERE

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19/2/2019

Sacred Lake of Karnak chosen as set piece for competition

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The Sacred Lake of Karnak by Alex McGery has been chosen as a set piece for the XI Open International Internet Competition for Young Musicians.
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The Sacred Lake of Karnak is a short, highly melodic piece for solo flute. It was inspired by a visit to Egypt, travelling down the Nile River to the Valley of the Kings (the resting place of Tutankhamun) and on to the Sacred Lake itself, which was artificially constructed under the rule of Pharaoh Tuthmosis III in about 1473 BC.

Alex McGery writes, "I have always been fascinated by the idea of marrying the music of western and eastern cultures especially as it presents the composer with the chance to write something that is evocative of a completely different era or part of the world, and yet remains familiar to its’ audience. With this piece I wanted to give the listener the immediate impression of living within the Ancient Egyptian society in all its’ architectural and cultural splendour."   

​For more on the music click here 

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23/1/2019

Praise for Adventures for Lever Harp

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Adventures for Lever Harp by Lauren Scott has been gathering praise from Harp societies around the world. ​

"This next book is one to put on your wish list for Santa. Adventures for Lever Harp Book 1 is a delightful new book of original solos... For those who play or teach lever harp, these entertaining and innovative pieces are a welcome addition to the repertoire, and audiences should find these tunes interesting and engaging."   Jan Jennings for Harp Column Magazine  

"This is a brilliant collection of original compositions for the lever harp... a wonderful addition to anyone's lever harp music collection, leading away from the cliched music and I highly recommend it."  Monika Stadler for Harp Magazine 

"I have enjoyed these pieces for many reasons, but mostly for their very catchy tunes with lots of groove and their so very well placed extended techniques! Each piece is musically satisfying and fun to play. They are programmatic and will be very accessible to an audience of non-musicians and musicians alike."  Review by Michelle Velvin and Becky Swan for The Harp Society of New Zealand  

​"We don't often find an intermediate to advanced book for lever harp, so I was excited to see this publication. This collection is ideal for professionals, or for the advanced student. I plan to use one or two of the selections for my annual recital."  Review by Denise Grupp-Vernon for Folk Harp Journal

Adventures for Lever Harp is a series of books, each containing five pieces specially composed for fully-levered 34-string harp by Lauren Scott. 

With no lever changes but pre-set levers from the start of each piece, they are of Intermediate to Advanced standard and target one or two different techniques within each piece.

Book 1 focuses on rhythm & groove in a natural and organic way, however, ultimately the pieces are about having a sense of fun and adventure.

Book 2 explores the extended harmonic possibilities unique to the lever harp through accessible and enjoyable music for the listener and player.

The books are available as either a hard copy or instant PDF download HERE

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