Tinnio Ergo Sum Press: Recent Works

Larghetto (from Benda's Sinfonia No. 11)

spfitzinger — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:39:32 -0700

Larghetto(for 3-5 octaves), by Georg Benda
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

George Benda lived from 1722 to 1795. Some of his most popular music is his collection of Sinfonias, which are most often performed (and recorded) by his descendant, Christian Benda, who conducts the Prague Chamber Orchestra.

This Larghetto movement is from the 11th of Benda's Sinfonias. It is not very long, but because of the slow, relaxed pace, it takes about four and a half minutes to perform. Don't let the dotted-sixteenths scare you; the tempo makes them playable and even fun in a lilting sort of way.

Betlehem Városban

spfitzinger — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:36:15 -0700

Betlehem Városban
(for 3-6 octaves handbells), arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

Hungarian music is known for lively rhythms and irregular meters. The same is true for much of their Christmas music. This traditional Hungarian Christmas carol tells the story of the birth of Jesus. The entire piece, though, is in 7/8 time and is quite energetic without being overly complicated. It is a Level 3 piece with a Level 4 time signature.

Ein Kindlein in der Wiegen (w/SATB Choir)

spfitzinger — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:44:45 -0700

Ein Kindlein in der Wiegen
(for SATB Choir and 3-6 octaves handbells), arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

A simple, uncomplicated arrangement for mixed choir and handbells of a traditional Austrian Christmas carol whose title translates "A Baby in the Cradle." The beauty of this song is in its simplicity and the balance between handbells and choir.

Purchased sheet music includes full score and separate choral part in one PDF file.

Six-in-Hand Sonata

spfitzinger — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:38:56 -0700

Six-in-Hand Sonata (for soloist and 4-6 octaves)

by Scott Pfitzinger

Is there a talented treble ringer in your handbell choir? This original piece features a six-in-hand soloist who is accompanied by the rest of the ensemble. It is rated level 4 for the ensemble and a level 5 for the soloist.

This piece should be treated like a classical concerto, with the soloist at their own music stand in front of the ensemble. No extra bells are needed for the soloist—they can be taken from the main ensemble while the other ringers play the remaining notes, which are all lower. The ending is to be taken very freely (not necessarily slowly), almost jazz-like and at the pace of the soloist, with the ensemble changing chords in accompaniment to the soloist.

Minute Waltz

spfitzinger — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:09:19 -0700

Minute Waltz (for 3-7 octaves)

by Frederic Chopin
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

Chopin's Waltz, Opus 64, No. 1, is marked molto vivace and is customarily called the "Minute Waltz" because it can be performed in about one minute. This arrangement for handbells will take more like 1:20 to 1:30. This is an excellent short piece to showcase the middle and upper bells with long melodic runs.

Allegretto (from Beethoven's Symphony No. 7)

spfitzinger — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:16:16 -0700

Allegretto (for 4-6 octaves)

by Ludwig van Beethoven
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

The Second Movement from Beethoven's Seventh Symphony is called "Allegretto" and is quite beautiful and interesting. The modal shifts are unusual and leave the major/minor tonality rather ambiguous, while the frequent 2-against-3 feel will demand precision from your ringers.

This transcription stays true to the color and feel of the original orchestral version. The dynamics are often quiet and require subtlety and musicianship to evoke all those original feelings.

Late Night Blues

spfitzinger — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:52:10 -0800

Late Night Blues (for 4-6 octaves), written by Scott Pfitzinger.

Late Night Blues is an original piece written in a standard 12-bar blues style. The bass section gets a chance to shine as the rhythm section playing a foundation that has been compared to ZZ Top's "La Grange."

The ending is very jazzy, with chords held while some of the bells play pseudo-improvisatory solo lines. Since jazz pieces are still seldom heard in handbell repertoire, Late Night Blues is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Appalachian Sunrise

spfitzinger — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:59:10 -0800

Appalachian Sunrise (for 3-5 octaves), written by Scott Pfitzinger.

This is a lovely, poignant piece that paints a musical picture of a quiet sunrise in the mountains. Suitable for performance on bells or chimes.

Tannenbaum Variations

spfitzinger — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:12:24 -0700

Tannenbaum Variations (for 3-6 octaves), arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

"O Tannenbaum" (also known as "O Christmas Tree") is a traditional German Christmas carol. This arrangement for 3-6 octaves of handbells works its way through a variety of styles, including waltz, march, swing, and rock.

Ave Verum Corpus

spfitzinger — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 09:25:40 -0700

Ave Verum Corpus (for 3-5 octaves)

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

A beautiful and reverent choral number reflecting those qualities in the Eucharist, this piece by Mozart has been arranged in a unique way, with the melody (soprano line) on handbells and the accompaniment (and other voice parts) on chimes.

Rondo Azzurro

spfitzinger — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:48:28 -0700

Rondo Azzurro (for 4-5 octaves), written by Scott Pfitzinger.

This original piece has a jazzy, syncopated feel with its share of "tricky spots." The strong, driving rhythms never really let up until it's over.

The Chicken Dance

spfitzinger — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:33:17 -0700

The Chicken Dance (for 4-6 octaves)
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

An audience favorite everywhere it's played! This popular song is fun yet challenging to play, starting slow and speeding up throughout.

2nd Suite in F (Complete Suite)

spfitzinger — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:59:43 -0700

by Gustav Holst
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

Some of the most popular pieces by Gustav Holst are his suites for military band. The 2nd Suite for Military Band consists of the following four movements:

2nd Suite in F: 4-Fantasia on the 'Dargason'

spfitzinger — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:43:00 -0700

2nd Suite in F (orig. for Military Band)

4. Fantasia on the 'Dargason'

(for 5-6 octaves), arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

The 'Dargason' theme permeates this final movement of the Suite, counterbalanced eventually by the 'Greensleeves' theme. Themes cross frequently in this piece which requires ringers to switch back and forth between bells and chimes.

2nd Suite in F: 3-Song of the Blacksmith

spfitzinger — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:23:04 -0700

2nd Suite in F (orig. for Military Band)

3. Song of the Blacksmith

(for 4-5 octaves), arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

The third movement of Holst's Second Suite in F traditionally features the sound of a hammer hitting an anvil, which is replaced by the high C in this arrangement.

2nd Suite in F: 2-Song Without Words

spfitzinger — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 12:00:54 -0700

2nd Suite in F (orig. for Military Band)

2. Song Without Words

(for 3-5 octaves), arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

This hauntingly beautiful melody was originally played on oboe. In this arrangement, the melody is played on bells while all the harmony is on chimes.

2nd Suite in F: 1-March

spfitzinger — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 11:15:37 -0700

2nd Suite in F (orig. for Military Band)

1. March

(for 3-7 octaves), arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

The first movement of this suite is March, which sets the tone for whole suite. It is a challenging blend of English folk song sounds and is playable by 3 to 7 octaves.

William Bell's Overture

spfitzinger — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 12:31:41 -0700

William Bell's Overture (for 2-4 octaves),
by Gioacchino Rossini
arranged by Scott Pfitzinger

The Lone Ranger rides again!

Experience all the excitement and energy of the end of the William Tell Overture, which the Lone Ranger made famous! Excellent for 2 to 4 octaves.

Neon Blitz

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:29:36 -0700

Neon Blitz (for 4-6 octaves), written by Scott Pfitzinger.

This original piece has a modern rock style, with a driving bass and syncopated rhythms.

Los Peces en el Rio

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:03:54 -0700

Los Peces en el Rio (for 4-6 octaves), arranged by Scott Pfitzinger.

This piece combines two Mexican Christmas songs, "Los Peces en el Rio" and "Dale, Dale, Dale." Variations on the first theme involve many techniques, including malleting (suspended and on the table), plucks, pluck-lifts, and gyros. The piece ends with a rousing rendition of "Dale, Dale, Dale," which Mexican children sing when trying to hit the piñata, getting faster and faster, with marts simulating the swings at the piñata.