SKU: BR.PB-5622

ISBN 9790004215197. 6.5 x 9 inches.

With his first String Quartet in D minor, op. 77, composed in 1855, the native Swiss composer Joachim Raff bid a brilliant farewell to Weimar. He had been there as Franz Liszt's assistant since 1850 and had made a name for himself in the city's art scene - now he embarked on new paths. He composed his second Quartet in A major, op. 90, already in 1857 in Wiesbaden, the spa town that was to become his home for 21 years. The two quartets are unequivocal works: orchestrally-conceived, full of energetic vigor, and at times uncompromisingly modern. They confidently continue the Beethoven tradition and attest at the same time to Raff's intensive confrontation with Richard Wagner's music during the Weimar years. In his chamber music, the composer wanted to achieve progress in an inherently historical way and to ground the individual substance in existing forms, as he told the Viennese violinist Josef Hellmesberger, who launched opus 77. The quartets, first published in 1860/62, found illustrious interpreters, among them, the Muller brothers' renowned ensemble, to which opus 90 was also dedicated, and Joseph Joachim.In collaboration with the Joachim-Raff-Archiv Lachen (CH)

Some eighteen years elapsed between Raff's first counted String Quartet op. 77 and his Quartets Nos. 6-8 op. 192, combined as one work. As such, Raff parted with the weighty single opus in quartet composition - without, however, sacrificing musical quality.

SKU: AP.81-CB224472

ISBN 9781778930386. UPC: 685462030392. English.

We travel back in time to the land of Sumer (modern-day Iraq) to relive the tale of the mighty king Gilgamesh. He was an arrogant an abusive king, and the Gods decided to send the creature Enkidu, half-man and half-beast, to deal with him. After an epic battle, both opponents find themselves in awe of one another. Respect then brings a strong sense of friendship between them and they become like brothers, off to some mighty adventures. Check out The Epic of Gilgamesh by François-Olivier Fortin! (2:25).

SKU: BA.BA07417

ISBN 9790006561469. 27 x 19 cm inches. Text Language: Swedish, English. Preface: Jansson, MÃ¥rten.

“I asked my friend, the poet Einar Askestad, if he could write a poem for me about love between father and son, brothers and God.
I felt that these forms of love are seldom sung about. The poem moved me greatly and I have tried to put music to these words which is simple yet full of beauty. In the four movements of this suite-like piece, various aspects of these relationships are conveyed.” (Marten Jansson)


“My music is my own and I have never tried to be original. That has always been my motto and I have only tried to use music to express all the feelings which life has to offer. This has led people to describe my music as ‘so sad that it sounds like birds who have lost their wings‘ but also as ‘the happiest classical music that we have ever heard’.
My compositions are almost all sacred. They express not only my own faith but also my appreciation and respect for the timeless texts that have been used for centuries and centuries.”

Mårten Jansson (b. 1965), elected member of the Föreningen svenska tonsättare (the Society of Swedish Composers), graduated from the Royal College of Music, Stockholm (KHM) with an MFA degree in Music Education, Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Voice. For more than ten years he was the music director and conductor of “Carmen”, one of the most prominent womens’ vocal ensembles in Sweden. He currently teaches choral conducting and music theory as well as giving vocal tuition at the Bolandgymnasiet and Musikskolan in his home town of Uppsala.

SKU: BT.MUSAM997458

ISBN 9781849380881.

The little book with all the big songs!

A pocket-sized collection of over 70 hits by the biggest names of the 1980s.

Presented in chord songbook format, with chord symbols, Guitar chord boxes andcompletelyrics.