SKU: PR.416415760

UPC: 680160636532. 9 x 12 inches.

The 1712 Overture stands out in P.D.Q. Bach's oeuvre for two reasons, among others: it is by far the most programmatic instrumental piece among those by the minimeister of Wein-am-Rhein so far unearthed, and 2) its discovery has led to a revelation about the composer's father, Johann Sebastian Bach, that has exploded like a bombshell on the usually serene musicological landscape. The overture is based on an anecdote told to P.D.Q. Bach by a cousin, Peter Ulrich. Since P.U. Bach lived in Dudeldorf, only a few miles down the road from Wein-am-Rhein, he was P.D.Q.'s closest relative, and he was, in fact, one of the few members of the family who was on speaking terms with P.D.Q. The story, related to P.D.Q. (fortunately for us posterity types) in a letter, may be summarized thus: The town of Dudeldorf was founded by two brothers, Rudi and Dieter Dudel, early in the 18th century. Rudi remained mayor of the newborn burg for the rest of his long life, but Dieter had a dream of starting a musicians' colony, an entire city devoted to music, which dream, he finally decided, could be realized only in the New World. In 1712, he and several other bagpipers sailed to Boston, never to return to Germany. (Henceforth, Rudi became known as der deutscher Dudel and Dieter as the Yankee Dudel). Unfortunately, the head of the Boston Musicians' Guild had gotten wind of Dudel's plans, and Wilhelm Wiesel (pron. VEE-zle), known none too affectionately around town as Wiesel the Weasel, was not about to share what few gigs there were in colonial America with more foreigners and outside agitators. He and his cronies were on hand to meet Dudel's boat when it pulled into Boston Harbor; they intended to prevent the newcomers' disembarkation, but Dudel and his companions managed to escape to the other side of the bay in a dinghy, landing with just enough time to rent a carriage and horses before hearing the sound of The Weasel and his men, who had had to come around the long way. The Germans headed West, with the Bostonians in furious pursuit. soon the city had been left far behind, and by midnight so had the pursuers; Dieter Dudel decided that it was safe for him and his men to stop and sleep until daybreak. When they awoke, they found that they were in a beautiful landscape of low, forested mountains and pleasant fields, warmed by the brilliant morning sun and serenaded by an entrancing variety of birds. Here, Dudel thought, her is where I will build my colony. The immigrants continued down the road at a leisurely pace until they came upon a little church, all by itself in the countryside, from which there suddenly emanated the sounds of a pipe organ. At this point, the temptation to quote from P.U. Bach's letter to P.D.Q. cannot be resisted: They went inside and, after listening to the glorious music for a while, introduced themselves to the organist. And who do you think it was? Are you ready for this -- it was your old man! Hey, no kidding -- you know, I'm sure, that your father was the guy to get when it came to testing new organs, and whoever had that one in Massachusetts built offered old Sebastian a tidy sum to go over there and check it out. The unexpected meeting with J.S. Bach and his sponsors was interrupted by the sound of horse hooves, as the dreaded Wiesel and his men thundered on to the scene. They had been riding all night, however, and they were no spring chickens to start with, and as soon as they reached the church they all dropped, exhausted, to the ground. The elated Germans rang the church bells and offered to buy everyone a beer at the nearest tavern. There they were taught, and joined in singing, what might be called the national anthem of the New World. The melody of this pre-revolutionary patriotic song is still remembered (P.D.Q. Bach quotes it, in the bass instruments, near the end of the overture), but is words are now all but forgotten: Freedom, of thee we sing, Freedom e'er is our goal; Death to the English King, Long live Rock and Ross. The striking paucity of biographical references to Johann Sebastian Bah during the year 1712 can now be explained: he was abroad for a significant part of that year, testing organs in the British Colonies. That this revelation has not been accepted as fact by the musicological establishment is no surprise, since it means that a lot of books would have to be rewritten. The members of that establishment haven't even accepted the existence of P.D.Q. Bach, one of whose major works the 1712 Overture certainly is. It is also a work that shows Tchaikowsky up as the shameless plagiarizer that some of us have always known he was. The discovery of this awesome opus was made possible by a Boston Pops Centennial Research Commission; the first modern performance took place at the opening concert of the 100th anniversary season of that orchestra, under the exciting but authentic direction of John Williams.

SKU: HL.48187841

UPC: 888680873813. 7.5x10.75x0.547 inches.

Symphonie No. 2,?Le Double, is a symphonic piece for oOrchestra and chamber orchestra composed by Henri Dutilleux. It was commissioned for the 75th birthday of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1959. The piece features three movements, which consists in dialogues between the Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra: I. Animato, ma misterioso II. Andantino sostenuto III. Allegro fuocoso. Calmato This is the conductor's score which also includes all parts. Henri Dutilleux was internationally acclaimed for his work winning prizes such as the Gold Medal of the Royal Philharmonic Society and the UNESCO's International Rostrum of Composers, amongst many others. His work also includes a Piano sonata, two symphonies, the Cello concerto 'Tout un monde lointain' (A whole distant world), the Violin concerto 'L'arbre des songes' (The tree of dreams) and the string quartet 'Ainsi la nuit' (Thus the night)..

SKU: HL.49009570

ISBN 9783795764869. UPC: 841886011687. 5.25x7.5x0.315 inches.

With more than 1,200 titles from the orchestral and choral repertoire, from chamber music and musical theatre, Edition Eulenburg is the world's largest series of scores, covering large part of music history from the Baroque to the Classical era and looking back on a long tradition.

SKU: AP.40495S

UPC: 038081453743. English.

We all know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen---Santa's reindeer for his yearly trip. But it was Rudolph who saved the night on that foggy Christmas Eve, leading with his red nose! For over sixty years, this holiday song has been loved by all. This flexible setting can be performed by strings alone or with the addition of any combination of piano and winds. (2:10).

SKU: HL.48022787

Heinios Symphony No. 2 'Songs of Night and Love' is reminiscent more of a song cycle; it has a baritone soloist in each of its movements. The texts are based on sensual poems by Lassi Nummi. Night or love, or both together are fundamental themes running throughout the symphony. Its dream-like landscapes are dominated by quiet and lyrical tones but the finale has the heat of dark Mediterranean nights.

SKU: AP.44799S

UPC: 038081517322. English.

A joyful departure from tradition, now set in 4/4 time by Jeffrey Turner, this fresh setting of the beloved carol is sure to add sparkle to any holiday celebration. Across the silent night, the blazing star of a solo cello beacons. A violinist follows, and the glory of a string orchestra suddenly bursts across the heavens. A twinkling piano announces that a child has been born unto the world; then, the high strings enter like angels singing from above. With its ending in 3/4, sure to put a smile on everyone's face, there's never been a happier birthday. (3:20) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

SKU: LO.30-3245L

UPC: 000308142471.

One Silent Night long ago, a birth story began that forever changed the world. Lying in a crude manger was a new-born babe, who would become the Source of our Christian faith and our abiding hope. Using the power and simplicity of the event itself, composer and creator Pepper Choplin presents each of the familiar elements of that story through ballad-like recitatives of scripture, surrounded by anthems ranging from outbursts of unbridled joy to moving moments of introspection and gentleness. Weaving familiar carols and songs throughout original music, this timeless tale emerges in a deeply moving presentation that will lift one’s faith and deepen one’s understanding of the profound significance of that One Silent Night. Orchestration by Larry Shackley for 2 Fl, Ob, 2 Cl, Bsn (sub Bass Cl), 2 Hn (sub 2 A Sax), 3 Tpt, 2 Tbn (sub 2 T Sax), Tuba, 2 Perc, Timp, Harp, Pno, 2 Vln, Vla, Cello, Bass, Digital Strings.