Composer's Note When I considered the ensemble of eight cellos I first thought of matt and dark textures. I also wanted to go back to some ideas on symmetry. While I was pondering all that I saw snow flakes fallingfrom the dark sky of the Finnish autumn. Focusing on the snow the idea of writing variations on it and its various forms became clearer in my mind.Nuages de neige is a uniform and linear texture in which I realise my firstimpressions of that ensemble. The two Etoiles de neige are based on the idea of symmetry and repetition: the first one develops up to a certain point where it doubles back as in a mirror image the second one consists of eightsections in which the harmonic structure is repeated as well as a linear gesture that becomes ever more present. Aguilles de glace focuses on different pizzicati and superimposed ostinati. With Fleurs de neige I sought to recallthe texture of those harmonic trills at the end of the first section although more airy and diversified here. Kaija Saariaho

Music Plus! was written to provide the student with great music that is enjoyable, accessible, and that sounds reasonably complete in two voices. It is playable in like instrument groupings, or with either or both of the other instrument voices. This collection is suitable for students with reading skills comparable to those completing the Adventures in Music Reading Book 3 by William Starr. The music presents challenges in rhythm, tonality (various keys), and musical expression and also serves as a music appreciation course, inspiring the student to want to hear the entire piece. William Starr has drawn the contents from various sources, including oratorio, opera, piano, and organ.