Compositions and Arrangements

by Hal Kacanek

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Most of the following instrumental arrangements were published (2010) in two volumes entitled Popular Jewish Folksongs Band Series Volume 1 and Volume 2   by Tara Publications (www.jewishmusic.org) for "convertible" instrumental ensemble consisting of 8 parts including keyboard/guitar and drums. These instrumental settings were dedicated to the memory of my good friend Jim Frisch a great philanthropist, a musician, a mentor and a mensch. His long life was too short.

1

Baruch Alchenu & Los Bibilocos

©2010

published

2

Zemer Atik

©2010
published
3

Shalom Alechem

©2010
published
4

Freylickh in D

©2010
published
5

Tumbalalaika

©2010
published
6

Od Lo Ahati Dai

©2010
published
7

Der Rebbe Eli Melich

©2010
published
8

Chosen Kal Mazel Tov & Hava Nagila

©2010
published
9

Mi Chomocha

©2010
not published
10

Ocho Kandelikas

©2010
published
11
©2010
published
12

Ose Shalom

©2010
published
13

Od Yishama & Ketsad M'drakin

©2010
published
14

Hene Matovu

©2010
published
15

Happy Birthday 1 & 2

©2010
not published
16
©2010
published
17
©2011
not published

Arrangement for Two Pianos

TUMBALALAIKA  - ©2007

HINE MA TOV - ©2008

The Earth Speaks; The Environment 2007

Interfaith Conference at Conference Point, Williams Bay, WI

3 MURALS FOR CELLO, CLARINET & POT LIDS

I. ORDER                   

II. METAMORPHOSIS

III. VISION OF PEACE - in memory of Joyce Smar

Copyright © 2007 Harold Kacanek

The Earth Speaks; Hunger 2009

Interfaith Conference at Conference Point, Williams Bay, WI

INSTRUMENTAL (Trumpet, Clarinet, Set Drums, Didjeridoo or Contrabass)

"The World Needs Bread"

To Robert M. Cook an inspiring teacher, a great musician, a brilliant conductor

and one fine human being.

Copyright © 2009 Harold Kacanek

 

COMPOSITION for 2 flutes, clarinet and trumpet.

THE BALFOUR BARRETTS' WASSAIL 2007 - ©2007

COMPOSTION for oboe, clarinet and trumpet

TAKE THE BULL - BY THE HORNS - ©2011

COMPOSITION for 2 flutes, clarinet.

THE BALFOUR BARRETTS' WASSAIL 2008- Seasonal Schnaps - ©2008

COMPOSITION for 1 flute and 1 drum

FRANSTED - ©2008

COMPOSITION for Orchestra

SINFONIETTA in 4 movements - ©2010

1st MMT

2nd MMT

3rd MMT

4th MMT

INTRADA "Open the Gate" for Orchestra - ©2010

Reverie For A Departed Friend  - ©2012

VARIATIONS ON HAPPY BIRTHDAY for 2 flutes, clarinet & 3 trumpets - ©2013

 

CD SOUNDSCAPE II

It was 2004 - My good friend Mike Johnston taught me enough to be dangerous with Cool Edit Pro (now Adobe Audition). 

So I took out some of my instruments, clicked on the record button, started playing and this is what I came up with. 

  1. The Way - didjeridu, American Indian flute
  2. A tone - shofar(kudu-horn), American Indian flute
  3. Morning Spirit - American Indian flute, keyboard
  4. Scarlet, Yellow, Brown - Poetry, Voice & Mixing - Harvey Taylor, didjeridu, American Indian flute, shofar (kudu horn)
  5. Canyon Flight - American Indian flute
  6. Gazimba All Day Long - Double ranked gazimba
  7. Clap Yo' Hands - Harmonica
  8. Kokopelli's Canyon - American Indian flute
  9. Dance for Flute & Fingers - American Indian flute
  10. Y'all Come Back Now - Single ranked gazimba & trumpet
 
Soundscape II Copyright © 2004 Harold Kacanek               
 
          1989 was my 10th year as chair of the Carroll College music department (a small liberal arts college in Waukesha, WI). I earned a sabbatical and took 4 months to travel and study abroad. As a male academic, traveling the world, I was greeted and treated everywhere I went like a king. I travelled to Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Java, Bali, India and Greece. I returned to Java and Bali 8 times over the next 6 years. On three occasions I took students and interested adults on month long study trips.  In 1993 my relationship with the college ceased but I continued guiding independent study and business trips to Java and Bali. In my opinion field trips are simply the best way to learn.
          All that travel increased my exposure to new sites, new languages and new sounds. I thought more about the role pure sound plays in communicating ideas and feelings. I wondered why sounds such as a didjeridu, a sitar, a bronze gong or a tin whistle become important cultural symbols and what they say about the cultures they come to represent. Those thoughts guide my view of the sounds I create and my involvement as an educator.
          This album is an outpouring of creative activity that I have held back for too long. Although all my formal training is as a classical musician, I have chosen to improvise all the music on this album. It is uniquely me, yet is many others too. It is the result of instruments I have made and influences I have absorbed.  My good friend, musician and poet Harvey Taylor honors my music by including it with his poetry and I am grateful that he appears on this album. Let the sounds allow your spirit to take flight...and enjoy the field trip.

Happy Holidays Trumpet and Synth

© 2005 Harold Kacanek  

             

It Was A Very Good Year When Johnny Came Home - Trumpet and Synth

© 2005 Harold Kacanek
               
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