SKU: HL.14008392

ISBN 9780711936942.

The story centres on the English princess Caroline Mathilde (1751-1775), sister of George III, who at the age of 15 was sent to Denmark to marry the 17-year-old eccentric and schizophrenic Danish King, Christian VII. The ballet portrays her unhappy marriage, the King's growing madness and her fatal love-affair with Struensee, the King's influential physician, which leads to their arrest, his execution and her exile, at the age of 20, separated from her two young children. In keeping with the period, and perhaps also with the traditions of Romantic ballet, the music is relatively simple in harmony and form, and most of the action is conveyed in set-piece dances. The suite, which consists essentially of the second half of Act I, begins with one of these, a bristling interplay of wind and string ensembles in D major, portraying in the ballet a curious nuptial game with the king and princess on movable pedestals. The slow music that follows has to do with the king's healing by Dr. Struensee and the new queen's unquiet reverie (oboe and cor anglais solos). Then the suite, like the act, is capped by a pair of pas-de-deux, the first savage and bizarre for the royal couple, the second rich and passionate for the queen and the miracle-working doctor. Score (miniature). Duration c. 25mins.

SKU: AP.38500

UPC: 038081438900. English.

This suite is comprised of four movements whose composers hail from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. Full of teaching opportunities, the contrasting movements include both dance tunes and folk songs stylized in the Romantic idiom. Musically sophisticated beyond the technical demands, each movement stands alone, or can be played together to make a substantial and satisfying concert or contest selection.

SKU: AP.49933S

ISBN 9781470657819. UPC: 038081575674. English. Traditional Folk Songs.

16th Suite is a set of four contrasting folk tunes that introduce common 16th-note patterns to beginning students. This concert etude allows students to practice each pattern in different contexts: melodies, accompaniments, and a variety of simple meters and keys. Whether performed as a suite or as individual movements, 16th Suite will enhance any concert program while developing essential skills. (5:40).