SKU: BR.PB-5710

ISBN 9790004216477. 10.5 x 14 inches.

Richard Strauss's last completed tone poem is regarded as the pinnacle of his art of orchestration: Now I've finally learned to orchestrate, he himself is once supposed to have said about it after the dress rehearsal. The single-movement Alpine symphony that we know today ultimately evolved - over almost 15 years - from the original drafts of an artist's tragedy, titled Der Antichrist. Eine Alpensinfonie [The Antichrist. An Alpine Symphony] up to the stage of the last sketches. With unprecedented plasticity, the work showcases a (metaphysical?) mountain hike with stops in the forest, at the waterfall, on the alpine pasture and, of course, at the summit. Apropos alpine pastures: up to the score's fair copy stage, Strauss envisaged a high and a low alphorn for the section Auf der Alm [On the Alpine Pasture] and the well-known Dulioh theme, though for various reasons first detailed in our new Urtext edition, these exotic instruments did not find their way into the printed version. In the new edition, the editor, Nick Pfefferkorn, reproduces the alphorn passages in small print, also adding two alphorn parts to the performance material, besides evaluating the corrections made by Walter Seifert at Strauss's request.

First Urtext edition since the first editionEvaluation of all available sources, including sketches and the score corrected by Walter Seifert Extensive preface on the work's compositional history and receptionDetailed Critical ReportFacsimile pages.

SKU: CA.3840400

ISBN 9790007095697. Key: D major. Language: all languages.

Johann Christian Bach was - as his father before him - only very seldom satisfied with the compositions that he put down on paper. Thus did this concerto too undergo many corrections/revisions by the composer and today consists of three movements of similar length. Although they were initially handed down separately at different locations, the motivic relationship as well as the melodic and figurative references among themselves clearly reveals the common identity of the three movements. Not only the final rondo is characterized by highly virtuoso passages, but both the slow, second movement as well as the introductory movement testify to youngest Bach son's compositional greatness, whose works later generations unjustly let almost fall into desuetude.

SKU: HL.49018669

ISBN 9790001153249.

Today, Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) is considered to be the last great harp player of Ireland and is surrounded by an almost mystical aura. Numerous anecdotes have been handed down which testify to a strong personality, a huge musical talent and enormous self-confidence. Unlike any other, he knew how to combine old Irish music with Italian Baroque music, thus creating a large number of compositions about 200 of which have survived. Beautiful pieces between folk and art music. 16 of them were selected by Patrick Pfoss and arranged for string trio. A separate viola part is also available - in case no violoncello is available.

SKU: CA.2103005

ISBN 9790007166489. Text language: Latin.

In his roles as Music Director at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris and in the Royal Choir [chapel] of Louis XV, Andre Campra (1660-1744) composed numerous motets which frequently displayed the influence of contemporary opera. If today Campra is known almost exclusively for his famous Requiem, nevertheless his more than forty motets composed for soli, choir and orchestra are still awaiting discovery. Among these is a setting of Psalm 129, De profundis, published here in a new critical edition after the autograph score. The work was composed in 1723 during the first months of Campra's service to the French king and it proves to be the equal to the compositions of Michel-Richard de Lalande, who during his lifetime shaped and dominated the genre of the Grand Motet.. Score available separately - see item CA.2103000.

SKU: BR.EOS-8047-26

ISBN 9790004789766. 8.5 x 11.5 inches.

Among Campra's Latin works, the ,Messe de mort' is perhaps one of the more successful and today it is one of the more frequently performed. It is also the most enigmatic score of his entire output. Despite extensive researches, no evidence of any sort has yet been brought to light to document its origin, purpose, date of composition, first performance or reception. A stylistic analysis indubitably supports the contention that the ,Messe de mort' is a late work, composed perhaps between 1722 and 1729.
The present edition is based on the manuscript from the Bibliotheque Nationale de France (Paris). It it the oldest known source of the work. The very few errors have been corrected.
(Jean-Paul Montagnier) Vokalensemble Stuttgart und den Kammerchor des Kopernikus-Gymnasiums Wasseralfingen. Fur diese beiden ganz unterschiedlichen Chorformationen hat Martin Smolka 2012 auch gezielt seine Partitur angelegt. Biografisch ist das Agnus Dei eine Art kleines Requiem fur seinen kurz zuvor verstorbenen Vater. Das liturgische Agnus Dei rahmt den deutschen Text Eh das Madchen entschlief ... der bei Auffuhrungen in anderen Landern durch eine Ubersetzung ersetzt werden soll.

Der SWR-Redakteur Hans-Peter Jahn schreibt dazu im Programmheft: Die fur Smolka typischen minimalistischen Taktzellen schaffen eine archaische Sinnlichkeit. Eine einfache und zugleich streng gebaute Vokalmusik mit Tiefenwirkung.

Nach der Urauffuhrung war die Esslinger Zeitung hellauf begeistert: Smolka ist ein Meister der Stimmbehandlung und der chorischen Klanggestaltung. Im Zentrum des Stucks gerat die Musik zum Stillstand: im leisen gleichmassigen Summen uber dem plotzlich fortissimo ein tschechisches Kinderlied erklingt eines das der Vater seinen Kindern haufig vorgesungen hat. Das alles war sehr beruhrend. Und eigentlich noch mehr als das. My father PhDr. Jaroslav Smolka (1933-2011) was a leading Czech musicologist author of books Czech Cantata and Oratorium Fuga in Czech Music Smetana's Orchestra Music Smetana's Vocal Music monography of Jan Dismas Zelenka and many others. He was a legendary teacher of Music History at Prague Music Academy critic recording producer composer; for almost 50 years he was an important and highly respected personality of Prague musical life.
My father devoted a lot of time and energy to musical education and activities of my sister and me using often quite original methods such as teaching of intervals and counterpoint through Bartok's Microcosmos ear training filling all imaginable moments of everyday life or lessons of harmony analysis starting with Overture to Tristan and Musorgsky's Catacombs. The Martinu song Wondering Maiden was his solo number in our home vocal productions which he used to sing with amazing devotion while his huge voice was audible in several neighboring streets.
My Agnus Dei is closely bound to all this history e.g. by using canon and preferring beauty of dissonant seconds like Bartok or quoting Martinu and his refined neoclassical harmony. Father would be probably a bit critical about the minimalistic monotony of the main body of the piece. Nevertheless firstly he would improvise a short lecture of history of Agnus Dei in Requiem in Czech Music naming by heart many dates and all examples of changes of order of the traditional text by composers. Examples would be sung probably.
(Martin Smolka).

SKU: HL.51487045

ISBN 9790201870458. UPC: 888680745318. 6.75x9.5x0.244 inches.

In autumn 1895, after returning from New York once and for all, Dvorák took up his former position as teacher at the Prague Conservatory. This clearly had an inspiring impact on him because in the space of just four weeks he composed a new string quartet in G major. Together with the Quartet in A-flat major op. 105, it forms a glorious close to his chamber music oeuvre. Echoes of Bohemian folk music are here mixed with cantabile themes, while his motivic working shows him to be a master at the height of his powers. Even today, it seems almost as if we can feel the composer's satisfaction with this work: “I am working so easily and it is going so smoothly that I could not wish it better.”.

SKU: BT.WA-4099-401

English.

Gossec (1734-1829) was a French composer who became a leading figure in the development of the symphony in France, and was also an important character in the musical life of Paris for almost 75 years. Tambourin is probably his best known work today and this arrangement is an ideal recreational piece or light concert item.

SKU: AP.45600

UPC: 038081513393. English.

This sturdy original is composed in the style of a traditional spiritual. A symbolic text leads to crossing metaphoric River Jordan as the music recalls songs from early America. Opens with brief solos, builds to a hand clapping, almost a cappella bridge, and concludes only after full choral harmonies fade and voices unite on a single pitch.

About Alfred Choral Designs

The Alfred Choral Designs Series provides student and adult choirs with a variety of secular choral music that is useful, practical, educationally appropriate, and a pleasure to sing. To that end, the Choral Designs series features original works, folk song settings, spiritual arrangements, choral masterworks, and holiday selections suitable for use in concerts, festivals, and contests.

SKU: AP.28728

UPC: 038081312729. English.

You can't miss the vivid text painting as the floating vocal parts layer one upon another in the rich sequential refrain. You can almost feel the chill of a winter wind as the haunting opening theme is combined with a chromatically descending counter melody. It's classic choral writing with a contemporary flair. Logical, comfortable singing in all four voicings makes it easy for your choir to sing a sophisticated, secular choral work this winter. Includes part for string quartet.

About Alfred Choral Designs

The Alfred Choral Designs Series provides student and adult choirs with a variety of secular choral music that is useful, practical, educationally appropriate, and a pleasure to sing. To that end, the Choral Designs series features original works, folk song settings, spiritual arrangements, choral masterworks, and holiday selections suitable for use in concerts, festivals, and contests.

SKU: BP.HB505

2-3 octave handbell choir, level2-. Includes: Adeste Fideles; Sing We Now of Christmas; Still, Still, Still. For beginning groups -- or advanced groups looking for an easier offering -- comes this trio of Christmas tunes in compatible 2-3 and 3-5 octave versions. With no bell changes and no note value faster than a quarter note, ensembles of almost any skill level should find these pieces well within their ability. Despite their simple nature, there is still a great deal of musical interest in the pieces, which are sure to brighten the holiday season.

SKU: CL.012-3022-75

An exciting and dynamic composition by James Swearingen that is certain to become one of his most popular and often performed pieces. Beginning with a slow expressive introduction, it soon segues into an Allegro Con Brio section which is impressive and spirited. Solidly scored in the patented Swearingen manner, this exceptional work will help inspire mid-level bands to new musical heights. Outstanding choice for almost any performance situation!