for String Quartet op. 35a-Josef Suk played second Violin in the Bohemian String Quartet. Since 1914 the ensemble was obliged to perform the Austrian national anthem at the opening of every concert. Suk decided to supplement this obligatory piece with a work inspired by the ancient sacred Bohemian St. Wenceslas hymn. The hymn?s message a plea for the well-being of the Czech people directed at their patron saint was immediately understood by the audience.The Bohemian String Quartet performed this single-movement Meditation for the first time on 27 September 1914; the premiere of the version for string orchestra followed on 22 November 1914 played by the CzechPhilharmonic. That same year the piece was published by Fr. A. Urbánek together with arrangements for Piano and Organ.This first Urtext edition prepared by the Sukscholar Zdenek Nouza is published in two scorings one for string quartet and another for String Orchestra (BA9584). The orchestral version differs in some details and has an added part for Double Bass.First Urtext editionInformative trilingual Foreword (Cz/Eng/Ger) and Critical Commentary (Eng) by the editorTwo versions published in two separate editions

Par RHEINBERGER JOSEF GABRIEL. Volume 31 contains, among other works, the Piano Quartet, which was enthusiastically received by the critics in Rheinberger’s time: “The themes are noble, with significant content, the motivic development is rich and interesting, above all free from anything resembling a mould … and such a healthy musical wind blows through the entire work that I believe I am not mistaken if I forsee for this work a great success. ” This is how a contemporary critic reviewed the work. Indeed, op. 38 proceeded to become the most successful of Rheinberger’s chamber music works during his lifetime. The Sextet op. 191b is an effective arrangement of his Piano Trio No. 4 op. 191, for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn and piano. All works are also available in separate editions./ Répertoire / Ensemble de Chambre

Viennese music has become almost synonymous with Johann Strauss II and his great waltzes. But of course there were other luminaries: his father Johann Strauss I his talented brothers Josef and Eduard as well as their colleagues friends and rivals. This collection includes music by some of these; and apart from waltzes we have polkas (slow and fast) a couple of melodies from operettas and a march. The selection ranges from shorter eminently playable miniatures to a handful of more extended and challenging arrangements. The waltz kings were first and foremost fiddlers. They led their orchestras from the front instrument and bow in hand. As a young man JohannStrauss II used to practise his Violin in a full-length mirror so he would look every inch the part. They knew how to write for the Violin how to make it sing and dance and this helps to make the repertoire a perfect foil to the other volumes in this series. The arrangements in this collection can be performed as solos duets or trios or by larger ensembles. In fact here are all the resources to recreate a Viennese café orchestra! The full range of traditional fiddle repertoire is now at your fingertips! Using these generous collections you can create your own ceilidh barn dance jazz club Sarajevo street-café or Gypsy gathering. Some of this music is familiar some more exotic but all of it is absolutely authentic faithfully arranged and above all hugely enjoyable. Each title in the series is available in two formats: the Violin edition (with an optional easy Violin part and Guitar chords); or the complete edition which also includes both Keyboard and Violin accompaniments. Either format is hugely flexible which means the music can be played as solos duets or trios as well as with larger ensembles. Edward Huws Jones has travelled extensively researching fiddle-playing traditions. In each book he explains the background of the particular musical style giving his own suggestions for a lively performance. And to help recreate the spirit of the music every book in the series is beautifully illustrated.