The great talent of Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944) showed very early: At the age of 12, she published her first composition. Georges Bizet, a friend of the family, predicted her great future. After her successful debut as a pianist in Paris in 1877, she began busy concert activities as a solo pianist, chamber musician and conductor in many European countries as well as in the USA and Canada.Although many of her compositions became bestsellers during her lifetime, they are almost all missing in the concert programmes of today. Only the Concertino for flute and orchestra Op. 107 is still performed regularly. The demanding piece was written in 1902 as a competition piece at the Paris Conservatoire - initially still with piano accompaniment. The orchestral version was composed by Chaminade two years later.The piece begins with a wide melody and then turns into a virtuoso solo section which is followed by a cadenza. The piece ends with the initial theme as recapitulation and a coda. / Flûte Et Piano

Although almost unanimously condemned by contemporary Parisian critics for its overt sexuality and graphic final scene Carmen ultimately reached the public in a way that perhaps no other opera has. Bizet's aim (with Meilhac and Halevy who wrote the libretto) had been to transform the flaccid moralistic bourgeois genre of opéra comique into a more sophisticated type of staged work and he seems to have suceeded in Carmen. Each character has a musical significance and a unique expressive idiom the ultimate example being the dangerous exotic sensual Carmen herself depicted by an exotic and sinewy chromatic motive that also implies the insurmountable power of fate. Ina classic plot device she is contrasted with the 'good girl' of the opera Micaela whose main aria is set in the ternary form of the elevated bel canto French Grand Opera aria to imply her traditionally 'ladylike' retiring nature. Don José's musical styles reflect different levels in his descent from dutiful soldier to the underworld of obsession. This is the Schirmer edition of the Vocal Score with an English translation by Ruth and Thomas Martin.

Here is the stunning complete Carmen Symphony orchestrated by José Serebrier and masterfully transcribed by Donald Patterson for the U.S. Marine Band. Comprised of twelve “scenes” from Bizet's opera thisis a welcome addition to the repertoire for mature wind bands. Dur: 33:00

Jay Bocook has crafted a very effective easy version of this masterpiece by Bizet. Impressive as a closer or production number both the high and low voices get a chance to play the famous melodies. Classy and powerful!

Le Bal is the last of a dozen miniatures entitled Jeux D'Enfants (Games For Children) written by Bizet in 1871 for Piano Duet. A vibrant and exciting short piece that along with the rest of the set explores themesplay and invention.

Standard Version with sung recitatives-Although almost unanimously condemned by contemporary Parisian critics for its overt sexuality and graphic final scene Carmen ultimately reached the public in a way that perhaps no other opera has. Bizet's aim (with Meilhac andHalevy who wrote the libretto) had been to transform the flaccid moralistic bourgeois genre of opéra comique into a more sophisticated type of staged work and he seems to have suceeded in Carmen. Each character has a musicalsignificance and a unique expressive idiom the ultimate example being the dangerous exotic sensual Carmen herself depicted by an exotic and sinewy chromatic motive that also implies the insurmountable power of fate. In aclassic plot device she is contrasted with the 'good girl' of the opera Micaela whose main aria is set in the ternary form of the elevated bel canto French Grand Opera aria to imply her traditionally 'ladylike' retiring nature.Don José's musical styles reflect different levels in his descent from dutiful soldier to the underworld of obsession.This is the Schirmer edition of the Libretto in the original French with an English translation by Ruthand Thomas Martin.

Bizet’s opera Les Pecheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers) is an exquisite combination of emotional turmoil and pervasive sadness containing a ceaselessly seductive score. Taken from the opera Au Fond Du Temple Saint is one of the most famous arias ever written for tenor and baritone voice and is available here with a piano accompaniment.The libretto for the opera was written in French by Eugene Cormon and Michel Carre. This edition has been edited by Roger Nichols and contains a preface critical commentary and the Duet text which has been translated into English and German. Note that the text written in the score is in French only.

This hauntingly beautiful melody is an ideal teaching piece for expressive style and 6/8 meter. Taken from Bizet's stage work The Pearl Fishers the style of the vocal melody has been wonderfully transformed for string orchestra by Robert Longfield.

Opéra comique in four acts-“Carmen” is one of the most frequently performed operas in the world and the genesis of the work is exceptionally well documented. In spite of this none of the editions published after the composer’s death correspond to his intentions. Now Didion’s edition of which a piano reduction (ED 7965) has already been published at last reproduces the work as intended by Bizet. This new edition of the score draws on detailed study of sources not previously used.

Bizet's ever-popular Habanera from the opera Carmen is presented here in its original piano/vocal form but with a newly translated English lyric as well as the original French lyric. Expertly engraved and edited this edition is a must for your piano/vocal library.

Drawing from some of the lesser-known material from Bizet's famous opera this arrangement closely portrays the original with its beautiful lyrical melodies and lush harmonies. Solos are written for flute oboe and clarinet. The piece also provides some optional notes to more accurately resemble the original material.

This familiar theme from Bizet is adapted for band in this sparkling and authentic setting by Jay Bocook. Featuring bold tutti statements, delicate woodwind lines and a piu mosso to provide a rousing finish, this arrangement has everything you need for an impressive performance.