SKU: CA.2101903

ISBN 9790007161446. Language: Latin.

Marc-Antoine Charpentier not only originated the Eurovision Melody, rather he also made an important contribution to French sacred music from the baroque with his oratorios, motets and cantatas. The four cantatas for the season of Christmas (CV 21.019-21.022) are now published in first editions. The Latin texts of these works for Christmas, the New Year, Epiphany, and the Purification are based on the accounts of the Gospels, which are paraphrased in the form of poetic texts. As in Charpentier's extensive Histoires sacrees, the musical structure is oratorical, with a part for the evangelist and texts spoken directly by biblical personages and groups of people (angels, Herodes, shepherds, wise men). In each work the vocal scoring includes two sopranos and a bass (those passages where a number of voices sing together can be performed either by soloists or by a choir). With this uniform scoring it would be meaningful to perform these works as a cycle, in the manner of a small Christmas oratorio. Score available separately - see item CA.2101900.

SKU: PL.0618

* based on the chant, this work begins simply with flutes and mutations in duet * detailed registrations, appropriate for small or large instruments, as well as manual indications make the execution of this work very direct * registration indications and harmonic colors increase as the piece gradually builds * final section with octave chords and strong pedal foundation carries the piece to a dynamic climax * tempo slows by increments in the final measures, leading to the final modal cadence * a passionate instrumental expression of the text: printing the text of this hymn in a program or bulletin

Musically, this is a rather interesting piece with harmonic language that is more advanced than one might normally use in services, but here one can allways follow the hymn tune. The registration is highly colorful, using at 16' Quintaton played an octave higher, or substituting an 8' and 2 2/3'. As in the chorale preludes mentioned earlier, this work, too, creates a continuing crescendo to the end. Harmonically, this work makes use of some interesting ideas-mirroring short sections of the hymn tune as a motivic device, short canonic imitation, etc. Technically, it is fairly easy reading until about halfway, when close attention must be paid to accidentals. The last page will require some working of fingering in the right hand to maintain the legato sense of the phrase. - The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians March 2006.

SKU: HL.49033297

ISBN 9790001137751. UPC: 884088070496. 9.0x12.0x0.158 inches.

Though the work bearing this title is a portrait of childhood, it is a childhood quite different from the purely gameplaying and dreamlike childhood that is customarily represented. The childhood described here is carrying the seed, in all its purity, of all positive and negative qualities to be found the fully-grown men: a childhood both angelic and diabolical, and indeed very close to Henry James' The Turn of the Screw which was the direct inspiration for this monodrama.Its growth follows the innumerable sudden changes, turns and contrasts of the unsophisticated spirit. There is hardly any development at all, as each idea gives birth to the next or rejects the previons one, being object to every impulse, every tempest, every flux, every fear and delight. After a dreamlike introduction, in which two simple melodies stand out, comes a sudden awakening, Allegro, stamped all over with lavish and forever regenerating dynamism. A sudden halt leads a kind of outburst from the most simple folklore is singing, in regular, repeated notes. Again the question mark leads us to another melody, Tranquillo, of a sweet tempo, but brilliantly decorated with counter-point, its cursive traits leading this time to a kind of roguish march (Vigoroso).Yet soon there emerges a melancholic chant, Largo, in the Cromorne's timbre, and then, in the highest register of the Trumpet there reappears like a metamorphosed memory, the theme of the second movement. Passing other episodes, we come to Tempo giusto, insistent and glorious, interrupted by other passionate figures, cut off by unsettling silent moments and taken up again in always accelerating volleys.

SKU: FG.042-08965-1

ISBN 979-0-042-08965-1.

Aimo Kankanen (b. 1922) has had a long career as an organist and organ teacher. As organist to the Lahti Central congregation he founded and directed the international Lahti Organ Festival until his retirement in 1990. He is also one of the most prolific Finnish organ composers, displaying a profound familiarity with his instrument and an idiom all of his own.

SKU: FG.55011-420-3

ISBN 9790550114203.

Andante festivo is originally composed for string quartet by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). The direct radio broadcast of its string orchestra version in 1939, honoring the World Fair in New York City, was Sibelius's last public appearance as a conductor. This solemn, hymn-like composition fits perfectly for the organ. Pianist, cantor-organist Esa Ylonen's transcription is based on Karl Ekman's piano transcription.