SKU: CA.3108064

ISBN 9790007206826. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin / Franck, Salomo.

The Reformation cantata Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott BWV 80b, published by Carus-Verlag for the first time in a practical performing edition, remained unknown to Bach scholars until well into the 20th century. The evidence of its existence is three fragments of the first folio of Bach's score, which can be dated to the years 1728-1731. By contrast, the long-familiar expanded new version of the cantata with its powerful opening chorus (BWV 80) dates from the 1730s or 1740s. It only survives in a copy of Bach's score, but this allows conclusions to be drawn about the history of the versions; thus, by using the fragments mentioned above, it has been possible to reconstruct the first version. This result is a Bach cantata which is less extensive and in a more concise normal format, with reduced wind instruments. A relaxed, contrapuntal four-part chorale movement with the first and last verses of the Lutheran hymn forms the framework, and the other movements are the same as in the later new version. This simpler cantata is also entirely suitable for celebrating Reformation Day, as Bach did around 1730. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3108000.

SKU: CA.3115805

ISBN 9790007049621. Key: D major / e minor. Language: German/English.

Possibly composed during the time at Weimar (1708-1717). Score available separately - see item CA.3115800.

SKU: CA.3100349

ISBN 9790007204426. Key: A major. Language: German/English. Text: Moller, Martin.

For the 2nd Epiphany Sunday 1725, Bach composed the cantata O God, what glut of care and pain. It forms part of the annual cycle of chorale cantatas. In the large-scale opening movement, a choral setting full of anguish with expansive orchestral sections, the bass presents the cantus firmus in segments, reinforced by one trombone. This is followed directly by the second chorale verse in a four-part setting in which, however, each chorale line is interrupted by a short recitative (each one sung by a different voice). The bass, who closes the recitative, also sings the following continuo aria which is rich in melismatic passages. The second aria is a duet expanded into a quartet setting by the addition of oboes d'amore and continuo; it leads into the closing chorale containing a wealth of transitions. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3100300.

SKU: CA.9126605

ISBN 9790007095598. Language: Latin.

Johann Ernst Eberlin composed over 40 masses. From Salzburg they were widely disseminated in southern Germany, Austria, and Bohemia. Eberlin's Mass in B flat was skillfully arranged for every day use at the monastery in Seitensteeen; thus this a work which, due to its brevity and musical qualities, is ideally suited for the celebration of the Mass. A beautifully sounding continuo mass in a free, concertante style, marked by the joy of baroque music making. Score available separately - see item CA.9126600.

SKU: CA.3118814

ISBN 9790007210069. Language: German/English.

The cantata Ich habe meine Zuversicht BWV 188 comes from the so-called Picander cycle and was written for the 21st Sunday after Trinity in 1728 or 1729. There are some particular problems associated with its transmission. The original set of parts was lost, and the manuscript score only survives in fragmentary form. Probably as early as the 18th century the score was divided up into numerous separate parts in order to make more money, or to be able to provide as many Bach relics as possible for posterity. The first movement, an instrumental sinfonia, is missing apart from the final bars. We simply know that this sinfonia is based on the 3rd movement of the Harpsichord Concerto BWV 1052 in D minor and that instead of the harpsichord, an obbligato organ was envisaged. Its successful reconstruction by the baroque specialist and organist Pieter Dirksen now makes it possible to perform the cantata again complete with the introductory sinfonia. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3118800.

SKU: CA.3100249

ISBN 9790007204419. Key: D minor. Language: German/English. Text: Luther, Martin.

Bach composed the cantata O God, from heaven look on us BWV 2 for the 2nd Trinity Sunday 1724 as the second cantata of the annual cycle of chorale cantatas. It is based on Martin Luther's rewriting of Psalm 112. The opening movement is one of a group of cantata opening movements which are not concertante but kept entirely in the motet style, with the instruments serving only to reinforce the singers. The archaic character of this movement is heightened by the addition of a trombone quartet. The concertante style is all the more significant in the first aria for contralto, solo violin and continuo. The first secco recitative represents a special feature: two fragments of the chorale are woven as arioso into the recitative, both in text and melody; futhermore, they are also taken up canonically by the continuo. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3100200.

SKU: BT.MUSM570368679

Isthmus denotes a narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger ars of land. The title is a metaphor for an effort to bond artistically my experiences of living in Cyprus, my birthplace, and in the USA, my recently adopted homeland. Having lived in a small, partitioned island for my formative years and in England for eleven years, water has always had a double meaning: it has at once served as a gateway to other cultures but also as a border, a violent and absolute interruption of a continuum. While in the USA, or indeed in a now connected Europe, it is possible to travel on land for days without having to encounter a border, in the countries where I lived for most of my life, that was not possible. As an artist, this notion of establishing boundaries and consciously trying to break them is very close to me, as my music deals both with modernity but also with tradition and, similarly, with metaphor and reality. As a Cypriot, the sea, the world of antiquity, the mysteries of the oracles, the notion of borders and the pastoral are all very central to my way of thinking. In Cyprus, different layers of history are frequently superimposed on a single building that might still preserve its Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman features in its layers of stone and architecture. Similarly, ancient ruins or the barbed wire of modern conflict often interrupt placid fields. An isthmus, therefore, can be seen to symbolize my artistic struggle to join strikingly different experiences and notions in a cohesive way. Similar to an isthmus, in this short piece, I connect these experiences with the purpose of creating a distinct and unique sonic context, connecting technology and tradition, the pastoral with the urban, the musical with the extra-musical and the abstract with the concrete. For example, the choir does not always sing in the traditional sense, but the singers imitate various natural sounds, such as water, air, crickets or birds, to create a vivid visual impression for the work. Scandinavian herding calls blend with field recordings from the seas of Cyprus and the lakes of Upstate New York, communicated within clearly defined, singular acoustic sources and spaces through wireless speakers. The text used is both onomatopoeic, articulating an imaginary language, but also literal, with a setting of the poem, “To make a prairie” by the iconic American poet Emily Dickinson and a tiny fragment from Callimachus’ “Hymn to Demeter.” Technology is used sparsely and very intentionally to articulate the expressive qualities of pastoral imagery, creating one unified synthetic timbre with the choristers’ sounds. This piece is dedicated to the wonderful singers of the Georgia Institute of Technology Chamber Choir with special thanks to Professors Hsu and Ulrich, without whose support this composition would not have been possible. Practical notes: A choir of no less than 24 singers is sought with 4 additional soloists (2 Sopranos and 2 Altos). Each singer must have their own wireless speaker, secured either in the music folder or as a strap inside their shirts. All sounds must match in volume the sound from the speakers, creating one unified timbre. The speakers should not be noticeable to the public. The four soloists are placed offstage at the beginning of the work. From 1:35’ onwards they enter the hall and take their positions, ideally at the four corners of the hall. If the hall is too large, the singers can find alternate positions, but these should always be antiphonal. The four soloists sing predominantly in the “kulning” style and the antiphonal aspect is very important to the work. There are two sound files for each section (SATB) that are triggered by each singer’s mobile device. The first occurs at the start of the piece, and the second, about a minute before the end. The sound files are able to be purchased separately, on CD, or are available directly from UYMP.