SKU: HH.HH446-FSP

ISBN 9790708146537.

The Andante opening Sonata 3, in D minor, demonstrates Balicourt’s mastery of a an entirely natural lyricism that is elegant without ever becoming bland. The vivacious Allegro that follows has an endearing playfulness reminiscent of Vivaldi. The third movement, Andante, moves to F major and is noteworthy for some delightful imitative play between flute and bass. A sprightly Minuetto brings up the rear. Sonata 4, in A minor, opens with a Largo of an almost Handelian gravitas. It is followed by a fleet-footed Allegro that at several points contains figurations derived from violinistic style as exemplified by Vivaldi. For the concluding movement, a graceful Affettuoso, Balicourt switches to A major, a way of lightening the mood that in 1750 was not yet common but very soon was to become a favoured practice in minor-key works.

SKU: PR.11540425S

UPC: 680160688142.

My  work Labyrinth for Ithaca College could have easily been titled as my Third Symphony. The work is larger in scope than every other work of mine for winds, save perhaps my first symphony. The piece is cast in two main parts, each consisting of two movements. As it happened I wrote the movements backwards (fitting for something called Labyrinth). The size of the band is on par with that of Karel Husa’s Music for Prague 1968 with one exception, there is an electric keyboard part which lends certain moments in the piece an other-worldly ambience... sounds that are altogether different from anything possible from acoustic instruments. At the risk of sounding obvious or mundane, I had two words floating around my brain during the composing of this work — HUGE and melodic. My predisposition to create inherently melodic music is inescapable at this point in my composing career. This is the kind of music I have gravitated towards since beginning at the piano so long ago. I don’t write ambient or spectral music, nor do I write music replete with extended techniques. The crafting of melodies with gravitas has always made my process of composing the most satisfying. The very last movement of Labyrinth is a gargantuan crescendo the likes of the last movement of Respighi’s The Pines of Rome or Ravel’s Bolero and should leave the audience and players sonically drenched by the end. I’m so honored to have this opportunity to compose for Ithaca College’s 50th Anniversary of that seminal work of Karel Husa’s. I have known Music for Prague 1968 as long as I’ve known serious music for winds. It is my aim that every moment of Labyrinth offers the players as much to bite their teeth on as it leaves the audience in its throng from start to finish. -CP.

SKU: PR.11540425L

UPC: 680160688159.

My  work Labyrinth for Ithaca College could have easily been titled as my Third Symphony. The work is larger in scope than every other work of mine for winds, save perhaps my first symphony. The piece is cast in two main parts, each consisting of two movements. As it happened I wrote the movements backwards (fitting for something called Labyrinth). The size of the band is on par with that of Karel Husa’s Music for Prague 1968 with one exception, there is an electric keyboard part which lends certain moments in the piece an other-worldly ambience... sounds that are altogether different from anything possible from acoustic instruments. At the risk of sounding obvious or mundane, I had two words floating around my brain during the composing of this work — HUGE and melodic. My predisposition to create inherently melodic music is inescapable at this point in my composing career. This is the kind of music I have gravitated towards since beginning at the piano so long ago. I don’t write ambient or spectral music, nor do I write music replete with extended techniques. The crafting of melodies with gravitas has always made my process of composing the most satisfying. The very last movement of Labyrinth is a gargantuan crescendo the likes of the last movement of Respighi’s The Pines of Rome or Ravel’s Bolero and should leave the audience and players sonically drenched by the end. I’m so honored to have this opportunity to compose for Ithaca College’s 50th Anniversary of that seminal work of Karel Husa’s. I have known Music for Prague 1968 as long as I’ve known serious music for winds. It is my aim that every moment of Labyrinth offers the players as much to bite their teeth on as it leaves the audience in its throng from start to finish. -CP.