SKU: UT.CH-335

ISBN 9790215326538. 9 x 12 inches.

The Trois airs variés for violin and piano belong to the small nucleus of compositions for this scoring which, in the Catalogo tematico, also includes the Cantabile in D major (M.S.109), the only original manuscript piece for violin and piano recently published in a critical edition, and the Quattro Notturni a quartetto (M.S.15). This ‘triptych’, whose authorship is unknown, is familiar thanks to the nineteenth-century editions Ricordi, Pacini and Hofmeister, the only evidence of the piece which is placed in the Catalogo tematico at n. 3 of the uncertain works (Section V, pp. 346-347), that is, those works whose authorship remains in doubt due to the lack of objectively valid documents. This placing does not categorically exclude the originality of the piece, at least as regards the violin part, and that Gustavo Carulli ‘completed’ them later by adding the piano part. Given that to date there is no evidence to deny Paganini’s authorship of the piece, we rely on the editorial tradition documented by the three publications mentioned above and, of course, on the style of the composition.
Regarding the instrumental aspect, the technical peculiarity is given by the exclusive use of the 4th string which must be transposed one tone above, in all three airs, including the variations. Concerning the piano part composed by Gustavo Carulli, it can only be said that it is simple and functional, aimed at highlighting the violin part, nothing more. Since the piano part is not original, the guitar has been thought of as the ideal instrument (as indeed is proved by Paganini’s considerable musical production for this scoring) to support the violin part and which is better suited to these small but pleasant pieces. In the transposition for guitar, however, the aim has been to include Gustavo Carulli’s musical lesson, where it is convincing, in other cases, however, the preference has been to find different solutions, while trying to remain within Paganini’s ‘style’ also as regards writing for the guitar. The present edition therefore seeks to be a plausible alternative to the previous editions, also in order to make these delightful but forgotten pieces more usable.

SKU: CA.411281

ISBN 9790007253646. Key: D minor. Church Slavonic/German.

Dimitri Stepanowitsch Bortniansky (1751-1825) seems to have composed the majority of his liturgical works and most of his Sacred Concertos in the 1780s and 1790s, before he was appointed Kapellmeister to the court ensemble in St. Petersburg. Heidi Kirmsse has added a German singing text to the five most popular pieces from the complete volume (CV 4.111). The festive Concerto no. 6 Ehre sei Gott in der Hohe is for Christmas, and no. 9 Heut ist der Tag, den Gott, der Herr, gemacht for Easter. No. 15 Lasst uns singen, kommt herbei is in the major key and is a very effective piece. Tchaikovsky edited Bortniansky's sacred works and is said to have particularly admired no. 32 O lass mich, Herr, mein Gott, erkennen mein Ziel. Bortniansky himself probably best liked no. 33 Sag, meine Seele, warum verzagest du? The work was sung at his funeral.

*addition to the choral repertoire with works from the Orthodox liturgy/ Eastern Europe
*includes the original Church Slavonic text underlaid (in transliteration).
*effective solo/tutti alternations.

SKU: BT.DHP-1196115-020

English-German-French-Dutch.

Hora Est! (Latin for ‘it is time!’) was composed to bid adieu to Sjoerd de Boer’s following forty years as conductor of the Chr. Fanfare Band, based in the town of Wjelsryp in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, this small phrase, hora est, is traditionally said upon awarding a university doctorate at graduation ceremonies. The composition was written with Sjoerd de Boer firmly in mind, mirroring various aspects of his life. The main motif of the work consists of three notes, forming his initials: S (Eb) D B. At a certain point, the music is interrupted by a thunderstorm and heavy rain (forever a bad omen: the debut for this work took place a day after such a deluge, but fortunately their open-air concert was met with clear blue skies.) The fanfare then plays an Italianesque march, with the motif of de Boer’s initials interwoven throughout. The work re-uses this motif twice towards the end of the piece as one might expect, by the saxophones to create a festive, driven and virtuosic atmosphere. Finally, the work comes to an end with the initials motif played across the ensemble in complete unison. The powerful closing chords symbolise a fond farewell to de Boer: a driven and extremely capable conductor whose musical mark on Concordia will be felt for years to come. Hora Est! is suitable as a contest piece and would be a definite highlight for any upcoming concert.

Hora Est! is gecomponeerd ter gelegenheid van het afscheid van Sjoerd de Boer als dirigent van Chr. Fanfarekorps Concordia uit Wjelsryp (Friesland), na maar liefst veertig jaar. Hora Est! is Latijn voor ‘Het is tijd!’. Het zinnetje wordt traditioneel uitgesproken bij een promotie tot doctor op de universiteit, op het moment dat de vastgestelde tijd voor verdediging van het proefschrift om is. De pedel komt dan binnen en stampt met zijn staf op de grond terwijl hij deze woorden roept. In dat opzicht verwijst de titel naar de voormalige universiteitsstad Franeker, de woonplaats van Sjoerd en de stad waar hij jaren lang leraar muziek was aan de christelijke scholengemeenschap. Anderzijds verwijst de titel naar zijn afscheid van Concordia: ‘Het is tijd!’.