SKU: FG.55011-906-2
ISBN 9790550119062.
Harri Wessman's Summer Variations for viola and piano (1998) exploites the rich and romantic sound of the viola and enjoys the many shades of summer days. It is dedicated to violist Yuri Gandelsman, who premiered the suite with Risto Lauriala 15th June 1998.Duration: c. 11'Movements:1. Summer theme2. What is this?3. Pizzicato4. Con sordino5. Stile concitato ostinato6. Tango7. FinaleHarri Wessman (b. 1949) is interested in all aspects of music that may be expressive, without in any way ignoring the possibilities of melody. He himself describes his harmonic method as a kind of contrapuntally treated jazz harmony. Wessman is particularly preoccupied with the ability of music to express emotions, an interest which has led him to study the so-called doctrine of the affections and the musical rhetoric of the baroque era. His Eine kleine Figurenlehre for wind quartet and piano is a playful application of a set of baroque musical figures.His output is dominated by chamber and vocal music as well as a number of concertos for various instruments such as the Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra and the Serenade for Piano and String Orchestra. During recent years pedagogic music has become a more and more central area in his output with an emphasis on creating repertoire for budding musicians, from beginners to young professionals. He has even tailored some solo and chamber works for young musicians that he personally knows: e.g. Five Trombone Pieces for Minna Kajander (1992), Five Horn Pieces for Jenni Kuronen (1993), Five Piano Etudes for Tiina Karakorpi, Five Trumpet Pieces for Alevtina Parland and Five Double Bass Pieces for Amanda Thieme. Other chamber and solo pieces include Pan and the Nymph Pitys (1979) for flute and guitar, Three Caprices for Konstantin Weitz (1994) for solo violin and Capriccio for wind ensemble (1989).
SKU: PR.114417880
ISBN 9781491131664. UPC: 680160637089. 9x12 inches.
Commissioned by the Santa Rosa Symphony for Paul Silverthorne, principal violist of the London Symphony, the character of this grand three-movement work may best be described in the composer’s own words: “If I had to describe the character of each instrument in the orchestra, I would consider the viola to be the voice of wisdom, moderation, and prudence. However I find there is much flair and brilliance hidden beneath the surface. In my viola concerto I aimed to explore these contrasts: beauty and sweetness; agitation and angst; brilliance and virtuosity.â€.
SKU: HL.14026651
10.25x14.25x0.425 inches.
After Ariadne was commissioned by the violist Paul Silverthorne who premiered it it with Richard Rodney Bennett himself in 1987 at the Cheltenham Festival. This is based on the famous Monteverdi madrigal Lasciate Mi Morire.