SKU: CA.4071600

ISBN 9790007077013.

SKU: CA.1490100

ISBN 9790007031381.

SKU: CA.7006500

ISBN 9790007165994. Language: German.

In spring 1816 Franz Schubert, just nineteen years old, completed his second setting of the Stabat Mater in the midst of a highly productive period. In contrast with his first setting written the previous year, just five minutes in length, this time Schubert used the German translation by Klopstock as the basis for his composition. Stefan Schuck's edition is the first one of this work to be based on a critical evaluation of the primary sources, with complete performance material. The work, in a dark F minor, with its text by Klopstock, places Jesus Christ, rather than Mary, at the center of the contemplation. With his fugues, but particularly in the eight-part lamenting chorus Wer wird Zahren sanften Mitleids, Schubert shows himself at the height of his creative output. He composed his 4th Symphony, the Tragic, at almost the same time. The Stabat Mater is a rewarding work for choral societies and choirs to perform, because the choir has the largest portion to sing, and the choral parts are not too demanding. The composition is also a beautiful introduction to the choral-symphonic music of Schubert for less experienced choirs.

SKU: CA.7006519

ISBN 9790007165970. Language: German.

In spring 1816 Franz Schubert, just nineteen years old, completed his second setting of the Stabat Mater in the midst of a highly productive period. In contrast with his first setting written the previous year, just five minutes in length, this time Schubert used the German translation by Klopstock as the basis for his composition. Stefan Schuck's edition is the first one of this work to be based on a critical evaluation of the primary sources, with complete performance material. The work, in a dark F minor, with its text by Klopstock, places Jesus Christ, rather than Mary, at the center of the contemplation. With his fugues, but particularly in the eight-part lamenting chorus Wer wird Zahren sanften Mitleids, Schubert shows himself at the height of his creative output. He composed his 4th Symphony, the Tragic, at almost the same time. The Stabat Mater is a rewarding work for choral societies and choirs to perform, because the choir has the largest portion to sing, and the choral parts are not too demanding. The composition is also a beautiful introduction to the choral-symphonic music of Schubert for less experienced choirs. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.7006500.

SKU: CA.7006513

ISBN 9790007244705. Language: German.

In spring 1816 Franz Schubert, just nineteen years old, completed his second setting of the Stabat Mater in the midst of a highly productive period. In contrast with his first setting written the previous year, just five minutes in length, this time Schubert used the German translation by Klopstock as the basis for his composition. Stefan Schuck's edition is the first one of this work to be based on a critical evaluation of the primary sources, with complete performance material. The work, in a dark F minor, with its text by Klopstock, places Jesus Christ, rather than Mary, at the center of the contemplation. With his fugues, but particularly in the eight-part lamenting chorus Wer wird Zahren sanften Mitleids, Schubert shows himself at the height of his creative output. He composed his 4th Symphony, the Tragic, at almost the same time. The Stabat Mater is a rewarding work for choral societies and choirs to perform, because the choir has the largest portion to sing, and the choral parts are not too demanding. The composition is also a beautiful introduction to the choral-symphonic music of Schubert for less experienced choirs. Score and part available separately - see item CA.7006500.

SKU: CA.7006514

ISBN 9790007244750. Language: German.

In spring 1816 Franz Schubert, just nineteen years old, completed his second setting of the Stabat Mater in the midst of a highly productive period. In contrast with his first setting written the previous year, just five minutes in length, this time Schubert used the German translation by Klopstock as the basis for his composition. Stefan Schuck's edition is the first one of this work to be based on a critical evaluation of the primary sources, with complete performance material. The work, in a dark F minor, with its text by Klopstock, places Jesus Christ, rather than Mary, at the center of the contemplation. With his fugues, but particularly in the eight-part lamenting chorus Wer wird Zahren sanften Mitleids, Schubert shows himself at the height of his creative output. He composed his 4th Symphony, the Tragic, at almost the same time. The Stabat Mater is a rewarding work for choral societies and choirs to perform, because the choir has the largest portion to sing, and the choral parts are not too demanding. The composition is also a beautiful introduction to the choral-symphonic music of Schubert for less experienced choirs. Score and part available separately - see item CA.7006500.

SKU: CA.7006505

ISBN 9790007242916. Language: German.

In spring 1816 Franz Schubert, just nineteen years old, completed his second setting of the Stabat Mater in the midst of a highly productive period. In contrast with his first setting written the previous year, just five minutes in length, this time Schubert used the German translation by Klopstock as the basis for his composition. Stefan Schuck's edition is the first one of this work to be based on a critical evaluation of the primary sources, with complete performance material. The work, in a dark F minor, with its text by Klopstock, places Jesus Christ, rather than Mary, at the center of the contemplation. With his fugues, but particularly in the eight-part lamenting chorus Wer wird Zahren sanften Mitleids, Schubert shows himself at the height of his creative output. He composed his 4th Symphony, the Tragic, at almost the same time. The Stabat Mater is a rewarding work for choral societies and choirs to perform, because the choir has the largest portion to sing, and the choral parts are not too demanding. The composition is also a beautiful introduction to the choral-symphonic music of Schubert for less experienced choirs. Score available separately - see item CA.7006500.

SKU: CF.CM9734

ISBN 9781491161142. UPC: 680160919734. Key: A minor. English. Basque Carol.

A Basque Carol (also known as Gabriel's Message) holds a special place in Western music. The carol originates from Basque country around the 13th century, based on the Latin hymn, Angelus ad Virginem (likely of Franciscan origin). The tune quickly spread throughout Europe, finding popularity in Britain where it was even referenced in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: Playing so sweetly that the chamber rang; / and Angelus ad virginem he sang. . .. Interestingly, the melody we know and love today is derived from the original Basque version. In my view, this tune is a perfect example of melody-crafting. It is at once hauntingly beautiful, yet warm and joyous. Its contours are complex, dramatic, yet singable. I believe this melodic accessibility is the key to the song's lasting popularity. I would also attribute A Basque Carol's continued popularity to its elegant translation into English (by Sabine Baring-Gould, who rediscovered the original Basque tune). Translations often risk sounding unimaginative, coarse, and blunt. This translation is strikingly different. It was graced with an especially poetic translation including lines such as his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame. I am very excited to offer a new perspective on this classic carol, joining the tradition of composers preserving and reimagining a priceless medieval melody. My first goal was to create a flowing, richly-textured, even cinematic string accompaniment for the choir. This approach was very much inspired by the dense, string-writing style of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. My second goal was to make the arrangement flexible enough to be performed with only choir, only strings, or (best of all) both ensembles combined. To further complement this approach, I've added an obligato line for a solo recorder (solo flute or violin work just as well). If you listen carefully, you will hear a quote from my other favorite holiday carol, Jesu Bambino. I hope you enjoy performing A Basque Carol. I especially hope that you sense the ancient magic cast into this tune, hearing the ineffable qualities that have compelled us to sustain it for nearly a millennium. Whether you're a choir, a string orchestra, or a combined ensemble, this arrangement of A Basque Carol will surely be a haunting and lovely addition to your next holiday program!.
A Basque Carol (also known as Gabriel’s Message) holds a special place in Western music. The carol originates from Basque country around the 13th century, based on the Latin hymn, Angelus ad Virginem (likely of Franciscan origin). The tune quickly spread throughout Europe, finding popularity in Britain where it was even referenced in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales:  “Playing so sweetly that the chamber rang; / and Angelus ad virginem he sang. . .”.Interestingly, the melody we know and love today is derived from the original Basque version. In my view, this tune is a perfect example of melody-crafting. It is at once hauntingly beautiful, yet warm and joyous. Its contours are complex, dramatic, yet singable. I believe this melodic accessibility is the key to the song’s lasting popularity. I would also attribute A Basque Carol’s continued popularity to its elegant translation into English (by Sabine Baring-Gould, who rediscovered the original Basque tune). Translations often risk sounding unimaginative, coarse, and blunt. This translation is strikingly different. It was graced with an especially poetic translation including lines such as “his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame.”I am very excited to offer a new perspective on this classic carol, joining the tradition of composers preserving and reimagining a priceless medieval melody. My first goal was to create a flowing, richly-textured, even cinematic string accompaniment for the choir. This approach was very much inspired by the dense, string-writing style of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. My second goal was to make the arrangement flexible enough to be performed with only choir, only strings, or (best of all) both ensembles combined. To further complement this approach, I’ve added an obligato line for a solo recorder (solo flute or violin work just as well). If you listen carefully, you will hear a quote from my other favorite holiday carol, Jesu Bambino.I hope you enjoy performing A Basque Carol. I especially hope that you sense the ancient magic cast into this tune, hearing the ineffable qualities that have compelled us to sustain it for nearly a millennium. Whether you’re a choir, a string orchestra, or a combined ensemble, this arrangement of A Basque Carol will surely be a haunting and lovely addition to your next holiday program!

SKU: HL.49018099

ISBN 9790001158428. UPC: 884088567347. 8.25x11.75x0.457 inches. Latin - German.

On letting go(Concerning the selection of the texts) In the selection of the texts, I have allowed myself to be motivated and inspired by the concept of 'letting go'. This appears to me to be one of the essential aspects of dying, but also of life itself. We humans cling far too strongly to successful achievements, whether they have to do with material or ideal values, or relationships of all kinds. We cannot and do not want to let go, almost as if our life depended on it. As we will have to practise the art of letting go at the latest during our hour of death, perhaps we could already make a start on this while we are still alive. Tagore describes this farewell with very simple but strikingly vivid imagery: 'I will return the key of my door'. I have set this text for tenor solo. Here I imagine, and have correspondingly noted in a certain passage of the score, that the protagonist finds himself as though 'in an ocean' of voices in which he is however not drowning, but immersing himself in complete relaxation. The phenomenon of letting go is described even more simply and tersely in Psalm 90, verse 12: 'So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom'. This cannot be expressed more plainly.I have begun the requiem with a solo boy's voice singing the beginning of this psalm on a single note, the note A. This in effect says it all. The work comes full circle at the culmination with a repeat of the psalm which subsequently leads into a resplendent 'lux aeterna'. The intermediate texts of the Requiem which highlight the phenomenon of letting go in the widest spectrum of colours originate on the one hand from the Latin liturgy of the Messa da Requiem (In Paradisum, Libera me, Requiem aeternam, Mors stupebit) and on the other hand from poems by Joseph von Eichendorff, Hermann Hesse, Rabindranath Tagore and Rainer Maria Rilke.All texts have a distinctive positive element in common and view death as being an organic process within the great system of the universe, for example when Hermann Hesse writes: 'Entreiss dich, Seele, nun der Zeit, entreiss dich deinen Sorgen und mache dich zum Flug bereit in den ersehnten Morgen' ['Tear yourself way , o soul, from time, tear yourself away from your sorrows and prepare yourself to fly away into the long-awaited morning'] and later: 'Und die Seele unbewacht will in freien Flugen schweben, um im Zauberkreis der Nacht tief und tausendfach zu leben' ['And the unfettered soul strives to soar in free flight to live in the magic sphere of the night, deep and thousandfold']. Or Joseph von Eichendorff whose text evokes a distant song in his lines: 'Und meine Seele spannte weit ihre Flugel aus. Flog durch die stillen Lande, als floge sie nach Haus' ['And my soul spread its wings wide. Flew through the still country as if homeward bound.']Here a strong romantically tinged occidental resonance can be detected which is however also accompanied by a universal spirit going far beyond all cultures and religions. In the beginning was the sound Long before any sort of word or meaningful phrase was uttered by vocal chords, sounds, vibrations and tones already existed. This brings us back to the music. Both during my years of study and at subsequent periods, I had been an active participant in the world of contemporary music, both as percussionist and also as conductor and composer. My early scores had a somewhat adventurous appearance, filled with an abundance of small black dots: no rhythm could be too complicated, no register too extreme and no harmony too dissonant. I devoted myself intensely to the handling of different parameters which in serial music coexist in total equality: I also studied aleatory principles and so-called minimal music.I subsequently emigrated and took up residence in Spain from where I embarked on numerous travels over the years to India, Africa and South America. I spent repeated periods during this time as a resident in non-European countries. This meant that the currents of contemporary music swept past me vaguely and at a great distance. What I instead absorbed during this period were other completely new cultures in which I attempted to immerse myself as intensively as possible.I learned foreign languages and came into contact with musicians of all classes and styles who had a different cultural heritage than my own: I was intoxicated with the diversity of artistic potential.Nevertheless, the further I distanced myself from my own Western musical heritage, the more this returned insistently in my consciousness.The scene can be imagined of sitting somewhere in the middle of the Brazilian jungle surrounded by the wailing of Indians and out of the blue being provided with the opportunity to hear Beethoven's late string quartets: this can be a heart-wrenching experience, akin to an identity crisis. This type of experience can also be described as cathartic. Whatever the circumstances, my 'renewed' occupation with the 'old' country would not permit me to return to the point at which I as an audacious young student had maltreated the musical parameters of so-called contemporary music. A completely different approach would be necessary: an extremely careful approach, inching my way gradually back into the Western world: an approach which would welcome tradition back into the fold, attempt to unfurl the petals and gently infuse this tradition with a breath of contemporary life.Although I am aware that I will not unleash a revolution or scandal with this approach, I am nevertheless confident as, with the musical vocabulary of this Requiem, I am travelling in an orbit in which no ballast or complex structures will be transported or intimated: on the contrary, I have attempted to form the message of the texts in music with the naivety of a 'homecomer'. Harald WeissColonia de San PedroMarch 2009.