The Toymaker

"The Toymaker" is a suite for Brass Ensemble in three movements recorded by Burning River Brass for their CD entitled "Christmas Around the World". It imagines three episodes in the life of the mythical Greek inventor Daedalus.

The Toy Maker tells a tale of the real St. Nicholas and his encounter with the mythical and wondrous inventor Daedalus. This music is by far from your typical holiday fluff. The Toymaker has a style similar to Prokofiev and carries an edge and flare that will propel any concert into the 21st century. The 1st Movement introduces us to Daedalus when the music underscores his latest invention. Atop a high hill in the southern coast of Greece appears a clunky mass of steel, gears, bolts and gizmos, much like a craft out of a Jules Verne Novel. Daedalus sets his craft in motion down this hill hurdling out of control towards his captive audience. As the ship starts to Break apart, or so it seemed, wings jettisoned out from its sides and the mass of steel soared over all the spectators heads as they looked on in awe. The 2nd and 3rd movements develop the relationship with St. Nicholas who later becomes good friends with Daedalus. More miraculous inventions are made until the conclusion of the suite when an amazing flying sled is made for Nicholas.

1. “The Golden Palace”, describes an experimental ship that that rests on a wheeled chassis.
2. “The Magic Clock”, features a fabulous clock where people, animals and fantastic creatures parade around its face.
3. “The Bells of Greece and St. Nicholas Takes Flight”, which imagines Daedalus creating a magnificent sled for his friend St. Nicholas to carry presents for all the children he has befriended.

The Toymaker is a wonderful selection for holiday concerts.

• 4 C Trumpets (B♭ parts included)
• 2 Horns
• 3 Trombones
• Bass Trombone
• Tuba
• 2 Percussion

The ScoreFlipper rendition features the excellent playing of Burning River Brass from their CD entitled "Christmas Around the World".