Robert Saxton's Hortus Musicae Book 1 was commissioned by Ian Richie for the 2013 City of London Festival with funds provided by the John S. Cohen Foundation. The first performance was given by Clare Hammond on June 24th 2013 at the church of St Mary Le Bow. The title less 'literal' in Latin than in the vernacular refers to the idea of an allegorical/metaphysical garden (reference to a 'real' or existing garden might be implied by Hortus Musicus) with various facets. The titles of the individual pieces/movements with their respective garden image are as follows: 1) Hortus Somniorum: afleeting vision of a 'magical' garden 2) Hortus Temporis: a reflection of/on the floral clock described by Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) in his [metaphysical] poem The Garden: How well the skilful gardener drewOf flowers and herbs this dial newWhere from above the milder sunDoes through a fragrant zodiac run;And as it works the industrious beeComputes its time as well as we.How could such sweet and wholesome hoursBe reckoned but with herbs and flowers! 3) Hortus Cantus: A garden in which nature 'sings' (praises) in the manner of a 'chorale prelude' and ending with the cantus firmus transformed into bells. 4) Hortus Infinitatis: A meditative/formal garden representing Time suspended in the form of a palindromic prolation canon combined with a harmonic ground (chaconne). 5) Saltatio Hortensis: A (summer) garden of dancing celebratory nature. Its essence (and that of the entire cycle both metaphorically and structurally/formally) is summed up in words spoken by Miranda in WH Auden's 1944 Tempest [Shakespeare]-inspired poem The Sea And The Mirror;So to remember our changing garden weAre linked as children in a circle dancing. Duration: 15

Get your Piano playing to really swing with this collection of Jazz solos! Mike Cornick presents a set of 10 sizzling Jazz tunes in a wide variety of styles to guide you through your first steps into this exciting playing style. The pieces range from Cool Blues ballads and Country Blues shuffles to a drifting Jazz Waltz and a riotous up-tempo Swing. All syncopations and unusual phrasings are introduced gradually and the key signatures are restricted to one flat or two sharps only making this ideal for the early-intermediate player.