In a conversation with the violinist Peter Herresthal, we touched on the "invitation" in the score of Ligeti's Violin concerto to provide a cadenza for the work. Peter suggested that I answer this invitation and I was happy to accept. I followed all the composer's directions exactly: the cadenza may use material from all five movements, and should be of "hectic" character throughout. I also aimed to write a cadenza of which the closing orchestral coda would be an inevitable result. (Thomas Ades)

The cadenza can also be composed by the soloist and can last up to 1-2 minutes. It should be hectic throughout (continuation of the appassionata agitato molto), but can incorporate melodic material ad lib. from all five movements. Towards the end, the tempo should be prestissimo with alternating arco and left hand pizz. in mad virtuosity. The cadenza has no real end and is suddenly interrupted by the orchestra at R (as agreed between soloist and conductor). This interruption occurs suddenly as if unprepared. The soloist should at this point be playing in high positions (on the top string) at maximum velocity. The solo violin abruptly falls silent on the entry of the high woodblock. Gyorgy Ligeti

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is universally acknowledged as one of the foremost composers of our time and as he reaches his 75th birthday in 2009 he remains prolific.
The sonata for violin and piano was written for the virtuoso violinist, Ilya Gringolts and first performed at the St Magnus Festival in Orkney in 2008. . The work is principally concerned with Italian architecture and the music takes both performers and audience across an imaginary walkway over Rome as proposed by the architect Giuseppe Rebecchini. . Starting at the 17th Century Chiesa Nuova the exceptional journey passes Renaissance churches, exhibition spaces, the river Tiber, glass faç.ades, sculptures and even a prison where a Lazio folk tune can be heard echoing from behind the walls. . The journey ends 15 minutes later at Gianicolo, an area where one can take in breathtaking views over the whole city.

This score is based on the old British Carol "I saw three ships." There are seven variations preceding the fugue. After the theme has been stated, the first two variations extend the theme; the third variation introduces the pedals. The next three variations are in the style of Baroque genres: the fourth variation is a noel written as an homage to Daquin; the fifth variation is a figured chorale, in which the chorale Von Himmel hoch, da komm ich her makes its first appearance; and the sixth is a Handelian rigaudon. The seventh variation is a "carillion" in which Von Himmel hoch reappears. After a dramatic, dissonant chord, the score concludes with a chorale fugue during which Von Himmel hoch appears in the pedal. Composed for and dedicated to David Higgs, in celebration of his twenty-five years of teaching at the Eastman School of Music. Duration: 6:45.

German - English.

NOW IN ONE VOLUME! Since their first publication in 1992 the Microstudies of Abel Carlevaro have become firmly established among the most important sets of didactic studies for the guitar from the 20th century. Composed at the suggestion of Chanterelle, these studies, twenty in all, cover practically every aspect of guitar technique. Although they constitute an essential complement to Carlevaro's theoretical works, the Escuela de Guitarraand the legendary Cuadernos, his four volume series of technical exercises, they can be used on their own. The music is of the consistent high quality and originality we have to come to expect from Carlevaro and, as with many of his works, the essence of Tango and Milonga can be felt throughout the entire collection. These short yet compact miniatures, many of which are barely a minute in duration, are arranged in a progressive order of difficulty following the same time-honoured structure as used by Fernando Sor, Leo Brouwer and others. Until now the Microstudies were available in four separate volumes published between 1992-2000. The present new revised edition in one single volume offers great value for money and will put them within easy reach of guitarists and students everywhere.