SKU: FP.FZZ10
ISBN 979-0-57050-331-5.
Forsyth's Modern Wind Music is a series of volumes containing exciting and challenging, but not unduly difficult, works by talented English composers of current or recent vintage for recital, study or recreation. Each volume includes three works with piano, one unaccompanied piece, and one piece for two or more players of the instrument. In this volume for horn two aubades by David Ellis and John Golland (Ascent) reflect traditional associations of the instrument, whilst Anthony Gilbert's Two Birds by Kuring-Gai show the horn in an unusual guise and where written whilst the composer was living in the spectacular landscape of New South Wales. James Langley's music is well known to horn players and his fanfare-like Caccia for solo horn and Trident for three horns are both welcome additions to a slender repertory.
SKU: P2.70021
Waltz for Betz (1999) is, as one might assume, a waltz dedicated to someone named Betz. It is a gentle, passionate ballad--Erik Satie by way of Henry Mancini--originally composed for solo piano as a musical Valentine's Day card. Waltz for Betz now exists in multiple arrangements for virtually every instrument: with piano accompaniment; with string quartet or string quintet accompaniment; and with string orchestra accompaniment. In 2006, it was released in its version for viola and string orchestra by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra on the ABC Classics label in Australia, where it continues to enjoy frequent radio play. In 2009, violist Michelle LaCourse recorded Waltz for Betz on her CD, Chocolates--Music for Viola and Piano by James Grant, on the MSR Classics label. In 2011, it was recorded by Tim Buzbee in its version for tuba and piano and released on Albany Records. And in 2012, clarinetist William Helmers released Waltz for Betz in a version for clarinet and string quintet, on his Potenza Records release, High Autumn.
