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: CA.4012950

ISBN 9790007254650. German/English.

Mendelssohn's St. Paul with just seven instead of the usual 18 wind instruments? Thanks to this arrangement for chamber orchestra, a performance with smaller forces is now possible, and presents an attractive alternative for performing Mendelssohn's first oratorio - not only in times of Corona. For it is often considerations of space, a limited budget, or the size of the chorus which call for flexibility in scoring.
The arrangement is based on the Carus Urtext edition. By reducing the symphonic wind and brass in particular, the volume of sound is more restrained, but nevertheless the symphonic character and a wide dynamic range are retained. All the vocal parts (soloists and chorus) are identical with the original version, so that the vocal scores, choral scores, and practice aids of the existing Carus edition can still be used.

Major oratorio can also be performed by smaller choirs
Wind and brass parts of the original version reduced to just seven single instruments
vocal scores and choral scores from the original version can be used
carus plus: the work (original version) is available in carus music, the Choir Coach, and in the Carus Choir Coach (Audio only) series.
. Score available separately - see item CA.4012900.

SKU: HL.51489060

UPC: 840126932843. 6.75x9.5x0.226 inches.

Haydn's three Symphonies nos. 90-92 might rightly be dubbed his “Paris Symphonies Part II,” as they were commissioned in 1788/89, likewise by the Société Olympique, for which Haydn had already composed his six “Paris Symphonies” nos. 82-87 just a few years earlier. Ironically enough, Haydn would later sell these three a second time to Prince von Oettingen-Wallerstein who requested he “receive 3 new symphonies from him.” Regardless of such mercantile entanglements, Haydn shows himself to be at the full height of his mastery as a symphonist in these works. Completed in 1788 according to the autograph manuscript, the Symphony in E flat major no. 91 astonishes, even for Haydn’s standards, with its many idiosyncrasies, such as the Baroque, contrapuntal theme of the first movement or the strings of trills in the slow variation movement. This study edition adopts the musical text of the Haydn Complete Edition, thereby guaranteeing the highest scholarly quality. An informative preface and a brief Critical Report make the handy scorean ideal companion for all current and soon-to-be Haydn fans.

About Henle Urtext

What I can expect from Henle Urtext editions:

• error-free, reliable musical texts based on meticulous musicological research - fingerings and bowings by famous artists and pedagogues
• preface in 3 languages with information on the genesis and history of the work 
• Critical Commentary in 1 – 3 languages with a description and evaluation of the sources and explaining all source discrepancies and editorial decisions 
• most beautiful music engraving 
• page-turns, fold-out pages, and cues where you need them 
• excellent print quality and binding 
• largest Urtext catalogue world-wide 
• longest Urtext experience (founded 1948 exclusively for Urtext editions)

SKU: HL.51489059

UPC: 840126932898. 6.75x9.5x0.22 inches.

Haydn's three Symphonies nos. 90-92 might rightly be dubbed his “Paris Symphonies Part II,” as they were commissioned in 1788/89, likewise by the Société Olympique, for which Haydn had already composed his six “Paris Symphonies” nos. 82-87 just a few years earlier. Ironically enough, Haydn would later sell these three a second time to Prince von Oettingen-Wallerstein who requested he “receive 3 new symphonies from him.” Regardless of such mercantile entanglements, Haydn shows himself to be at the full height of his mastery as a symphonist in these works. Completed in 1788 according to the autograph manuscript, the Symphony in E flat major no. 91 astonishes, even for Haydn’s standards, with its many idiosyncrasies, such as the Baroque, contrapuntal theme of the first movement or the strings of trills in the slow variation movement. This study edition adopts the musical text of the Haydn Complete Edition, thereby guaranteeing the highest scholarly quality. An informative preface and a brief Critical Report make the handy scorean ideal companion for all current and soon-to-be Haydn fans.

About Henle Urtext

What I can expect from Henle Urtext editions:

• error-free, reliable musical texts based on meticulous musicological research - fingerings and bowings by famous artists and pedagogues
• preface in 3 languages with information on the genesis and history of the work 
• Critical Commentary in 1 – 3 languages with a description and evaluation of the sources and explaining all source discrepancies and editorial decisions 
• most beautiful music engraving 
• page-turns, fold-out pages, and cues where you need them 
• excellent print quality and binding 
• largest Urtext catalogue world-wide 
• longest Urtext experience (founded 1948 exclusively for Urtext editions)

SKU: AP.43765

UPC: 038081496450. English. [Based on the music of Antonio Vivaldi] By Jeffrey E. Turner.

This very accessible arrangement includes just enough of each movement to provide a taste of the original! Stirring the pot by the use of a common key for all four seasons and simplified rhythms create the perfect blend of seasonings to delight all as only Vivaldi can. (3:15).

SKU: PR.UE026294

UPC: 803452061809.

Celebrating Rüegg’s life as an amazingly prolific jazz arranger and orchestrator, Universal Edition has just released A Centenary Journey, a compilation of the great charts by Rüegg in notated score form. A rarity in published music, these jazz scores “unlock the secrets” to phenomenal performances, echoing the evolution of jazz itself along the way. Students of the art (of any age) can now follow along with the written page, and see the music behind the experience, to study the process from concept to reality. The score includes an audio CD recording of select compositions, as well, performed by the Vienna Art Orchestra. An excellent overview of the development of jazz from 1900 to its present form(s).

SKU: HL.114464

UPC: 884088872670. 8.5x11.0x0.525 inches.

Quotes of the beloved spiritual “Hold On” are combined with excerpts from “Freedom's Plow” by Langston Hughes in this powerful and dramatic work commissioned by the St. Louis Symphony. Themes of the struggle for liberty and justice throughout America and the world make this a magnificent concert closer for festival and community performances with keyboard, bass and drums or the optional orchestral accompaniment! Available separately: SATB divisi, Orchestra score and parts (fl, ob, cl, bn, hn, tpt 1-3, tbn 1-2 [btbn], bells, perc 1-2, vn 1-2, va, vc, db). Duration: ca. 5:00.