arranged by Neal Corwell
Instrumentation: CD accompaniment for solo euphonium, trombone, or tuba OR Piano accompaniment for brass solo (euphonium, trombone, trumpet, flugelhorn, tuba) and/or other instruments such as guitar and penny whistle.
Copyright: 2001 & 2019
Duration: 4:45
Range:
For CD version: D to a-1 (or up to optional high note of e-2 for euph/trb)
Range is approximately one octave lower for tuba version.
The soloist is given much flexibility regarding octaves.
For PIANO ACC version: Much flexibility regarding octaves. Generally medium range.
Difficulty: III-IV
Publisher: Nicolai Music
Price:
$20 CD version (includes accompaniment CD and printed music with acc. cues)
$15 for PIANO ACC version
PLUS ADDITIONAL SAVINGS: BUY ANY 2 PIECES WITH CD ACCOMPANIMENT & RECEIVE A 3RD PIECE WITH CD ACC.FREE!
OR
BUY ANY 2 PIECES WITH PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT & RECEIVE A 3RD PIECE WITH PIANO ACC FREE!
a great opportunity to add to your music library!
Other Info: CD accompanied version premiered by Dr. Corwell during Fall 2001 tour of several Michigan universities. Piano accompanied version premiered January 2019 by Dr. Corwell with his wife Kathryn Sincell-Corwell on piano.
TO PURCHASE
Two different arrangements of this piece have been created: one for soloist with CD, and another for solo with piano. Program notes for both are below.
Solo with CD version:
For this arrangement, Dr. Corwell pays homage to the Blues and Folk origin of the song, House of the Rising Sun, which was popularized in the 1960s by the British rock band known as “The Animals”.
After a leisurely introduction and two contrasting lyrical statements of the theme, a syncopated and forward-driving accompaniment provides support for two spirited choruses of the tune. The arranger has provided a challenging “improvised” solo for this section of the piece. This notated solo may be performed as written, or embellished, or simplified, to match the playing level and personal preference of the soloist. Chord symbols are provided for this portion of the piece, in case the soloist wishes to depart from the written part entirely. It should also be noted that various octave options are notated in the tuba version of the solo part to accommodate tubas of varying keys, and tubists of various skill levels. Because so much flexibility is offered, this arrangement is suitable for nearly everyone.
The accompaniment consists primarily of recorded acoustic guitar (performed by Dr. Corwell), but a brass choir of trombones and trumpets (also performed by Neal, not synthesized!) enters to support the soloist during the final chorus. A “fat” synthesized bass (the only non-acoustic voice heard in the entire arrangement) also enters at this point, to add even more body to the sound during the final push toward the coda. The ensemble then fades away, leaving only guitar and soloist to quietly state the theme one final time.
Solo with Piano Accompaniment version:
Although well-known by many as a big hit for the rock group "The Animals" during the 1960s, House of the Rising Sun is actually an old blues/folk tune about a "house of ill repute" in New Orleans, Louisiana. This arrangement stays loyal to the tune's blues origins for the opening and closing sections, but uses a faster and more upbeat approach for the central portions of the work.
Neal Corwell’s first arrangement of this melody was created in 2001, and was intended for one soloist accompanied by a pre-recorded CD. The accompanying recording consisted primarily of guitar, with a brass choir added near the end. 17 years later, this new arrangement, with a piano accompaniment, was created. The solo part may be played on one instrument or on a variety of instruments. Dr. Corwell specifically designed this arrangement to showcase his ability to switch between a various instruments (guitar, recorder, and flugelhorn) during the unfolding of the piece. But the solo part may also all be performed on a single brass instrument (flugelhorn, trumpet, trombone, or euphonium) from start to finish.
Both bass clef and B-flat treble solo parts are provided, along with instructions as to performance options involving choice of instruments. The Intro (bars 1-21) may be performed by solo with piano, as a guitar solo, or as a piano solo. The melody in bars 22-29 may be presented by a brass solo instrument or by a recorder or penny whistle. During the free improvisatory section (bars 30-83) the soloist may play the notated solo, or devise his or her own, based upon the tune’s chord progressions (which are provided in the piano score). For the Coda (bar 84 to the end), the solo line may be played on a brass instrument, a guitar, or any other instrument one wishes.
If you wish to re-create the choices made by Dr. Corwell when he performs this arrangement, please do the following: Play the intro on solo guitar. Present the melody beginning at bar 22 on soprano recorder (also, the piano now enters for the first time). Play the “free section” on flugelhorn. And return to guitar to play the solo line during the Coda.