Solists and voices

SKU: BO.B.1804

Composed by Francesc Civil. Various. Folkloric Music. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau (BO.B.1804).

By Jordi Cervello. For Violin. Bowed Instruments. Duration 7:00. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau

Mixed chamber ensemble

SKU: PD.PIL0716

Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Published by Piles Editorial de Musica (PD.PIL0716).

ISBN 9790350500879.

Orequesta sinfonica, Orquesta camara, voces y coro (Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Solo Voices and Choir)

SKU: BO.B.3472

A la memoria de Salvador Espriu. Composed by Xavier Benguerel. Vocal Music. Choir. Duration 85:00. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau (BO.B.3472).

ISBN 9788480208130.

English comments: The Requiem in memory of Salvador Espriu by Xavier Benguerel was commissioned by the Torroella de Montgri International Music Festival for a double commemoration: on the one hand, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Festival, and on the other, in remembrance of Catalan poet Salvador Espriu in the fifth year after his death. This concert, which was held on 5 October, was a brilliant closing gala performance and it was repeated twice on 6 and 7 October at the Palau de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona. It was performed by the Orchestra and Choir of the Gran Teatro del Liceo, with soloists Enriqueta Tarres, soprano; Nelibel Martinez, mezzo soprano; Eduard Gimenez, tenor; and Carlos Chausson, baritone, with the additional collaboration of baritone Lluis Llach, conducted by Romano Gandolfi.

In my opinion, this work by Benguerel is a piece that was written with passion and sincerity, with great strength and depth, and it contains some very beautiful passages. It is written in a language through which, without abandoning his current musical thoughts, Benguerel manages to communicate with the audience in a dense work that lasts for an hour and a half. It is interspersed with seven poems by Espriu on the subject of death, some sung and others recited, which gives the Requiem great contrasts from a musical and linguistic point of view -in comparison with the Latin texts normally used in a requiem mass-, but within a successful and coherent unity. The performers certainly proved their worth, but much of the hard work that went into preparing the piece can be attributed not only to the performers, the composer and the poet in tribute to whom the work was written, but also to the conductor Romano Gandolfi, who is largely responsible for the success of the three performances of this Requiem. Benguerel himself says of the work: This Requiem is linked to my previous work, the Llibre Vermell, and it has been written without making any concessions, but with a true wish to communicate with the audience. I've got past the stage of musical experiments and I'm now working on bridging the gap between composer and audience, which I'm sure will be good for both.
--Comments written by Jordi Codina in the December 1990 issue of Nexus magazine

Comentarios del Espanol: El Requiem a la memoria de Salvador Espriu de Xavier Benguerel ha sido compuesto por encargo del Festival Internacional de Musica de Torroella de Montgri para una doble conmemoracion: por una parte, el decimo aniversario del Festival; por otra, el recuerdo de la figura del poeta catalan Salvador Espriu en el quinto ano de su fallecimiento. Este concierto, celebrado el dia 5 de octubre, constituyo una sesion de gala y de clausura brillante y tuvo una doble repeticion los dias 6 y 7en el Palau de la Musica Catalana de Barcelona. Fueron sus interpretes la Orquesta y el Coro del Gran Teatro del Liceo, con los solistas vocales Enriqueta Tarres, soprano; Nelibel Martinez, mezzo; Eduard Gimenez, tenor; y Carlos Chausson, baritono, con la colaboracion del tambien baritono Lluis Llach. Todos bajo la direccion de Romano Gandolfi.

A mi entender, la obra de Benguerel es una partitura escrita con pasion y sinceridad, posee una gran solidez, es profunda y contiene pasajes de una gran belleza. Esta escrita en un lenguaje con el que Benguerel, sin renunciar a su actual pensamiento musical, alcanza la comunicacion con el publico en una obra densa que dura una hora y media. La intercalacion de siete poemas de Espriu relacionados con el tema de la muerte, en una interpretacion cantada o recitada, segun los casos, otorga al Requiem grandes contrastes desde un punto de vista musical y lingŸistico Ð en contraposicion con los textos latinos propios de una misa de requiem Ð, pero dentro de una unidad conseguida y coherente. La labor de los interpretes demostro su categoria y el trabajo exhaustivo en la preparacion de la obra, que, ademas de los interpretes, el compositor y el poeta homenajeado, tuvo otro gran protagonista en la persona del director Romano Gandolfi, a quien se debe una gran parte del exito obtenido en las tres audiciones de este Requiem. El propio Benguerel ha dicho de la obra: Este Requiem entronca con mi obra anterior, el Llibre Vermell, y ha sido escrito sin concesiones, pero con una voluntad real de comunicacion con el publico. La epoca de los experimentos musicales ya se me paso y he entrado en una nueva etapa de acercamiento entre el compositor y el publico que, estoy convencido, beneficiara a ambos.
--Comentario escrito por Jordi Codina en la revista Nexus en diciembre de 1990

Violin, cello and set of chamber instruments

SKU: BO.B.3338

Composed by Xavier Benguerel. Instrumental Sets. Duration 15:00. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau (BO.B.3338).

English comments: I finished writing the Porta Ferrada Double Concerto at the beginning of 2004. I was commissioned to write it for the Porta Ferrada International Music Festival (in Sant Feliu de Guixols).This double concerto for violin, cello and chamber ensemble represents the start of a period in which the pieces that I am working on are all for small ensembles: Davallament, for soprano and piano; Quinteto de la sala de Levante, for clarinet and string quartet; Palau d'hivern, for soprano, clarinet and string quartet; and Concertino Geminis for solo violin and 15 string instruments.Having written large-scale works, I have now gone back to writing chamber music.

We can see how, throughout my career, the sinfonia concertante form is omnipresent in almost all my earlier periods. I still haven't found a satisfactory answer to why I choose a dialogue between a soloist and an instrumental group so often. I would perhaps say that with a solo instrument it seems as if my music has to flow more effortlessly, allowing me to work more easily. Having a main character in the piece's discourse greatly helps me to develop the idea I have about the piece I want to write.

In this case there are two string soloists, the violin and the cello, which of course play a major part, but without this becoming a virtuosic. As for its form, the piece is based on three parts that meet without interruption.It was first performed on 10 August 2005 at the Teatre Auditori Municipal in Sant Feliu de Guixols as part of the 43rd edition of the Porta Ferrada International Festival, by the Porta Ferrada Simfonietta orchestra and the soloists Melodie Giot and Manon Philippe, conducted by Daniel Tosi.

Comentarios del Espanol: Acabe de escribir el Doble Concierto de la Porta Ferrada a principios del ano 2004. Nace como un encargo del Festival Internacional de Musica de la Porta Ferrada (Sant Feliu de Guixols).Este doble concierto, para violin, violonchelo y un conjunto de camara, abre un periodo en el que las obras que trabajo son todas para pequenos conjuntos: Davallament, para soprano y piano; Quinteto de la sala de Levante, para clarinete y cuarteto de cuerda; Palau d'hivern, para soprano, clarinete y cuarteto de cuerda; Concertino Geminis para violin solista y 15 instrumentos de cuerda.Despues de haber escrito obras de gran formato, ahora vuelvo a la musica de camara.

Podemos ver como la forma concertante, a lo largo de toda mi produccion, es omnipresente en casi todas las epocas precedentes. No he encontrado una respuesta satisfactoria al porque de elegir tan a menudo el dialogo entre un solista y un grupo instrumental. Como aproximacion, diria que con un instrumento solista parece ser que mi musica tenga que fluir mas facilmente y que pueda trabajar con mas comodidad. El hecho de tener un personaje principal en el discurso de la partitura me ayuda mucho a desarrollar la idea que tengo sobre la obra que quiero escribir.

En este caso se trata de dos solistas de cuerda, el violin y el violonchelo, que, como es natural, toman un papel primordial sin que, sin embargo, lleguen a alcanzar una parte virtuosistica. La obra, formalmente, se basa en tres partes que se tocan sin interrupcion.

El estreno tuvo lugar el 10 de agosto de 2005 en el Teatre Auditori Municipal de Sant Feliu de Guixols, en el marco del 43 Festival Internacional de la Porta Ferrada, por la orquesta Simfonietta Porta Ferrada y las solistas Melodie Giot y Manon Philippe, bajo la direccion de Daniel Tosi.

Guitarra (Guitar) y Piano

SKU: BO.B.3106

Composed by Jordi Cervello. Plucked Instruments. Duration 21:00. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau (BO.B.3106).

ISBN 9788480201940.

English comments:
With reference to the melody used to write the Fanstasia-Concerto, the composer Jordi Cervello says: A few years ago, a friend of mine, Jorge Wagensberg sang me a beautiful old Jewish melody inspired by the hymn Leja Dodi (Come, my beloved) by the Sefardie cabbalist Solomon Alkabez (1505-1576), who is buried in Israel. I was immediately entranced by its two extensive thematic ideas which complement each other perfectly. Its melodic and folk qualities seemed to me to make it an ideal theme for a work for guitar and orchestra. The orchestration is a fine thread of metallic timbres, which are present both in the very delicate subtleties of the pianissimi passages and the brilliant tutti. Moreover, the cler tonal definition of the melody contrasts with audacious harmonic contrapunctual textures, characteristic of the most advanced musical styles of our times. The solo guitar part is a model piece of compositon for the guitar, both for its melody and harmony. It puts forward extremely original formulas which are very effective from an instrumental point of view. Its abundant use of arpeggios, chords, harmonic pedals and other instrumental resources ensure that the dialogue with the orchestra is based completely on guitar-playing techniques, putting the guitarist's expressive skill and mastery to the test. This work was first performed on December 3 1997 in Sabadell's La Farandula Theatre performed by the Valles Symphonic Orchestra conducted by its permanent conductor Salvador Brotons. The guitar solo part was played by Jaume Torrent, to whom the work is dedicated.

Comentarios del Espanol:
En relacion al origen de la melodia utilizada en este Concierto-Fantasia, el compositor Jordi Cervello comenta: Hace ya algunos anos, mi amigo Jorge Wagensberg me canto una antigua y deliciosa melodia judia compuesta sobre el himno Leja Dodi (Ven mi bien amada) del cabalista sefardi Solomon Alkabez (1505-1576), cuya tumba se encuentra en Israel. En seguida me cautivo por las dos amplias ideas tematicas que contiene, las cuales se complementan muy armoniosamente. Por sus caracteristicas melodicas y por su caracter popular me parecio un tema ideal para una obra de guitarra y orquesta. La orquestacion de este concierto es una filigrana de sugerencias timbricas, presentes tanto en las mas delicadas sutilezas de los pianissimi como en los efusivos tutti. Asimismo, la clara definicion tonal de la melodia contrasta con audaces texturas armonicas y contrapuntisticas propias de la estetica musical de nuestros dias. La parte del instrumento solista en un modelo de escritura guitarristica, tanto desde el punto de vista melodico como del armonico y propone formulas que resultan de una gran originalidad y eficacia instrumental. La prodigalidad de arpegios, acordes, pedales armonicos y otros recursos instrumentales, garantizan un dialogo con la orquesta desde un lenguaje plenamente guitarristico, a traves del cual, el interprete pone a prueba tanto su capacidad expresiva como la vituosistica. El estreno de esta obra tuvo lugar el dia 3 de octubre de 1997 en el Teatro La Farandula de Sabadell, interpretada por la Orquesta Sinfonica del Valles bajo la direccion de su director titular Salvador Brotons, y actuando como solista el guitarrista Jaume Torrent a quien esta dedicada la obra.

Violin and orchestra

SKU: BO.B.3340

Composed by Jordi Cervello. Instrumental Sets. Duration 29:00. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau (BO.B.3340).

ISBN 9788480207591.

English comments:
My dedication to the string instruments has been a constant throughout my compositional career and I knew that sooner or later the time would come to compose a concerto for violin and orchestra. That moment came in the autumn of 2002 and after ten months of uninterrupted work I finished it in August of 2003. It is a work structured similarly to the traditional concertos. An important impetus for the elaboration of my concerto was due to the ill-fated violinist Ginette Neveu. Her version of Sibelius' Concerto has always stayed with me. For this reason the first movement, Moderato-Allegro, begins with a contemplative atmosphere similar to that of Sibelius' Concerto in which the principal thematic ideas appear tentatively. These ideas, two rhythmic and two melodic, are reaffirmed through a broad development that culminates in an orchestral fullness. A calm, mysterious passage recalls the introduction and after becoming blurred, three bars burst in leading to the rapid section of the movement. Soloist and orchestra engage in a dialectic struggle of a dramatic nature. The agitation subsides leaving only a tranquil and suggestive clarinet phrase. This will be taken up by the soloist who leads up to the movement's most dramatic moment playing an accelerating triplet figure supported by an orchestral pedal in crescendo. From here the soloist's cadenza emerges beginning with soft double notes. It finishes with an ascending progression and the soloist settles into the high register to elicit the orchestra's intervention in a soft and transfigured atmosphere. Once internalised the second movement, Adagio poco sostenuto e leggero begins. It has a solemn character and opens with two trumpet calls answered by the violoncellos and the contrabasses. The violin soloist introduces and plays two nostalgic themes, the first in the low register and the second, more extensive, in the middle register. The soft and delicate Misterioso e leggero begins with the violin singing on high. The rhythm of the constant quaver figures gradually accelerates until the soloist provokes a dramatic full orchestra as in a cadenza. Once again, the Calmo, in which the soloist with less and less orchestral attire serenely bids farewell. A rising series of double stops by the soloist serves to initiate the Finale-Scherzo. In 6/8 rhythm and with the character of a rondo it carries us along in a carefree, virtuosic ambiance. The principal motives, brief and concise, emerge from the happy, playful theme presented by the soloist. With an intricate progression of rapid sixths in double stops it reaches a tense and somewhat combative moment. However this resolves itself in a diminuendo that the soloist peacefully takes up with the notes re-la to commence the cadenza. This culminates in a series of tied notes to reintroduce the principal theme. A moment of melodic suspension serves as a farewell before the brief and jovial final coda. --The author

Comentarios del Espanol:
A lo largo de mi carrera compositiva mi dedicacion a los instrumentos de cuerda ha sido constante y sabia que, tarde o temprano, llegaria el momento de componer un concierto para violin y orquesta. Este llego en otono de 2002 y, tras diez meses de trabajo ininterrumpido, lo termine en agosto de 2003. Se trata de una obra estructurada de manera similar a los conciertos tradicionales. Un importante impulso a la elaboracion de mi concierto lo debo al recuerdo de la malograda violinista Ginette Neveu. Su version del concierto de Sibelius ha permanecido siempre dentro de mi. Por ese motivo, el primer movimiento Moderato-Allegro se inicia con una atmosfera contemplativa cercana a la del mencionado Concierto, en la que aparecen cautamente las principales ideas tematicas. Con un amplio desarrollo se llega a un lleno orquestal en el que estas ideas -dos ritmicas y dos melodicas- quedan reafirmadas. Un pasaje calmo y misterioso rememora la introduccion. Tras desdibujarse, irrumpen tres compases que nos llevan a la parte rapida del movimiento. Solista y orquesta establecen un combate dialectico de caracter dramatico. La inquietud desaparece hasta una tranquila e insinuante frase del clarinete. Esta sera recogida por el solista, quien, a base de una figuracion de tresillos cada vez mas rapidos apoyada por un pedal de la orquesta in crescendo, conduce hacia el momento mas dramatico del movimiento. De aqui nace la cadenza del solista, que se incia con suaves notas dobles. Finaliza con una progresion ascendente y el solista se coloca en el registro agudo para llamar la intervencion de la orquesta dentro de una atmosfera suave y transfigurada. Interiorizado es el segundo movimiento Adagio poco sostenuto e leggero. Con dos llamadas de las trompas respondidas por los violonchelos y contrabajos inicia el Adagio de caracter grave. El violin solista introduce y canta dos temas nostalgicos. El primero en el registro grave y el segundo, mas amplio, en el medio. Inicia el Misterioso e leggero, de caracter suave y delicado. Con el violin cantando en agudo. La constante figuracion de corcheas acelerara poco a poco el ritmo hasta que el solista a modo de cadenza provocara un dramatico lleno orquestal. De nuevo el Calmo, donde el solista, cada vez con menos ropaje orquestal, se despide serenamente. Una subida de dobles cuerdas a cargo del solista sirve para iniciar el Finale-Scherzo. Este, en ritmo de 6/8 y con caracter de rondo, nos transporta en un clima virtuosistico y despreocupado. Del tema alegre y jugueton presentado por el solista nacen los principales motivos, breves y concisos. Con una intrincada sucesion de rapidas sextas en doble cuerda se llega a un momento crispado y algo combativo que, sin embargo, se resolvera en un diminuendo que el solista recoge apaciblemente con las notas re-la para inciar la cadenza. Esta culmina con un suave rosario de notas en ligado para introducir de nuevo el tema principal. Un momento de suspension melodica sirve como despido antes de la breve y jovial coda final. La obra fue estrenada el 23 de septiembre de 2005 en el Teatre Monumental de Madrid por la Orquesta Sinfonica de RTVE con Markus Placci de solista y Uwe Mund de director. Gravacion: RNE y Canal Clasico de TVE. --El Autor.

SKU: UT.LB-47

Mario Ancillotti Collection. Classical. Books and Journals. Ut Orpheus #LB 47. Published by Ut Orpheus (UT.LB-47).

ISBN 9788881095360. 6.5 x 9.5 inches.

Vi è nella formazione di ogni adepto un periodo fondamentale in cui la musica può essere percepita solo come la realizzazione di una splendida tecnica strumentale, oppure come l’espressione delle più intime sensibilità: Appunti di un flautista indirizza verso questa seconda attitudine, quella più significativa per chi sceglie di coltivare un’arte profonda e certamente ineffabile.
Il libro è la raccolta di tantissime esperienze maturate durante un’intera carriera che ha visto Mario Ancillotti nelle più diverse attività di solista, camerista, orchestrale, insegnante, organizzatore, direttore: tutte attività che derivano da una sete mai saziata di conoscenze nell’immenso campo della musica. Da queste nasce e si fonda dapprima la parte dedicata ai segreti dell’interpretazione e dell’ascolto, con esempi pratici corredati da esecuzioni ad opera dello stesso Ancillotti; successivamente ci si indirizza verso la parte più tecnica e strumentale, e poi verso i suggerimenti preziosi che l’esperienza di flautista e musicista eclettico ha dettato all’autore. Sempre nella consapevolezza che la musica è arte sublime ma sfuggente ad ogni rigida prescrizione e che tutto è determinato soltanto dal buon gusto raggiungibile solo con studio e sacrificio.
Il lavoro presenta infine un Repertorio ragionato denso di indicazioni, anch’esso suggerimento personale su tutti quei brani fondamentali per la formazione musicale e tecnica di ogni flautista che vuole divenire un interprete di quest’arte indagatoria e rivelatrice della sfera emotiva.

Concert Band/Harmonie and Clarinet Solo - Grade 5

SKU: BT.DHP-1175741-140

Doloroso e Contemplativo. Composed by Jan Van der Roost. Solo Spectrum. Solo & Concerto. Score Only. Composed 2017. De Haske Publications #DHP 1175741-140. Published by De Haske Publications (BT.DHP-1175741-140).

English-German-French-Dutch.

Contemplation is the first movement from the Clarinet Concerto by Jan Van der Roost, which was commissioned by Musica Reservata VOF, Belgium, and is dedicated to the famous clarinet soloist Eddy Vanoosthuyse.
A slightly mysterious intro leads to an orchestral climax with ascending melodies and the entrance of the soloist. This occurs at first with fragmentary musical ideas, and then with longer melodic lines. The orchestra delivers the dialogue withthe soloist, and creates a fitting musical frame with a delicate and colourful instrumentation. Towards the end of the music, the atmosphere from the beginning is restored, and the soloist finishes on the same note that he started the piece on.
The concerto is also available as a piano reduction.

Contemplation is het eerste deel uit het Clarinet Concerto van Jan Van der Roost. Het werd geschreven in opdracht van Musica Reservata VOF (B) en is opgedragen aan Eddy Vanoosthuyse.
Een ietwat mysterieuze intro leidt via stijgende melodieën tot een eerste orkestrale climax, waarna de solist zijn intrede doet, eerst met vooral fragmentarische muzikale gegevens, dan met langere melodische lijnen. Het orkest voert een muzikaledialoog met de solist en creëert een gepaste omkadering door middel van een ragfijne en kleurrijke instrumentatie. Naar het slot toe wordt de beginsfeer weer opgezocht, en de solist eindigt helemaal alleen met dezelfde noot als die waarmeehij begon.
Het concert is tevens als pianoreductie beschikbaar.

Contemplation ist der 1. Satz aus Jan van der Roosts Clarinet Concerto, das von Musica Reservata VOF aus Belgien in Auftrag gegeben wurde und dem berühmten Klarinettisten Eddy Vanoosthuyse gewidmet ist.
Eine etwas geheimnisvolle Einleitung führt über aufsteigende Passagen zu einem musikalischen Höhepunkt des Orchesters; darauf folgt der Einsatz des Solisten, anfangs überwiegend mit fragmentarischen musikalischen Ideen, dann mit längerenMelodielinien. Das Orchester führt einen Dialog mit dem Solisten und schafft mit einer zarten und lebendigen Instrumentation einen passenden musikalischen Rahmen. Gegen Ende wird die Anfangsstimmung wieder aufgegriffen und das Solo endet mitderselben Note, mit der das Stück begonnen hat.
Es ist auch ein Klavierauszug des Konzertes erhältlich.

Contemplation est le premier mouvement du Clarinet Concerto de Jan Van der Roost. Commandé par Musica Reservata VOF de Belgique, il est dédié au célèbre soliste clarinettiste Eddy Vanoosthuyse.
Une introduction orchestrale mystérieuse conduit avec les mélodies ascendantes l’entrée du soliste. Les idées musicales fragmentaires du début cèdent petit petit la place des lignes mélodiques plus longues et l’orchestre entre en dialogueavec le soliste avec une instrumentation délicate et colorée. L’atmosphère mystérieuse du début revient et le soliste conclut l’œuvre par la même note avec laquelle il l’avait commencé.
Le concerto est également disponible en réduction pour piano.

Violin and piano (reduction)

SKU: BO.B.3414

Composed by Jordi Cervello. Instrumental Sets. Duration 12:00. Published by Editorial de Musica Boileau (BO.B.3414).

English comments:
Concertino for violin and string orchestra was composed in 1993. It is a pleasant score with a slightly virtuosic touch written with the idea of creating a relaxed atmosphere in which the soloist and the orchestra can display their technique and expressive capabilities. It is a work, similar in lenght to baroque concertos, and is divided into three movements, folowing the conventional form.: two fast movements around a slow one. Te first two movements -Allegro burlesco and Adagio cantabile- follow the ABA pattern. The third starts with a -cadenza- by the soloist which includes thematic material from the previous slow movement linking straight up to the -Presto- which uses as its main idea a more forceful version of the opening melodic sketch of the -Allegro burlesco- converted into three time. The work was specially creatied for the violinist Gerard Claret and the Orquestra de Cambra Nacional d'Andorra. Recordings: Hermitage Orchestra-Camerata St. Petersburg, violin: Sergey Malov, conductor: Alexis Soriano. Ensayo (ENY-2003). Jordi Cervello

Comentarios del Espanol:
Concertino para violin y orquesta de cuerda es una obra compuesta en 1993. Se trata de una partitura amable y de cierto toque virtuosistico cuya principal preocupacion ha sido crear una atmosfera distendida en la que el solista y la orquesta puedan desplegar con espontaneidad sus capacidades tecnicas y expresivas. Es una obra de duracion similar a la de los conciertos del barroco y dividida en sus tres tipicos movimientos. Dos rapidos enmarcando uno lento. Los dos primeros -Allegro burlesco y Adagio cantabile- se desarrollan bajo el esquema ABA. El tercero inicia con una -cadenza- del solista que recoge material tematico del movimiento lento precedente para enlazar sin interrupcion con el -Presto- que utiliza como idea principal el dibujo melodico que abre el -Allegro burlesco-, pero mas decidido y a compas ternario. La obra fue compuesta expresamente para el violinista Gerard Claret y la Orquestra Nacional de Cambra d'Andorra. Grabaciones: Hermitage Orchestra-Camerata St. Petersburg, violin solista: Sergey Malov, direccion: Alexis Soriano. Ensayo (ENY-2003) Jordi Cervello.

Concert Band (optional solo piano) - intermediate

SKU: AI.AMC-WB-003SSC

Composed by Francis Johnson. Arranged by Kenneth Amis. Music of Black Composers and Artists. Study score only. Amis Musical Circle #AMC-WB-003SSC. Published by Amis Musical Circle (AI.AMC-WB-003SSC).

8.5 x 11 inches.

The 1818 publication of Francis Johnson's A Collection of New Cotillions marks the first known publication of original music by a black composer in the United States. A prolific composer, instrumentalist, teacher and conductor, Johnson led a varied and successful career in an era in U.S. history that was not inviting to black professionals. His musical interests ranged from the contemporary works of Johann Strauss Jr. to traditional, popular dances.

The cotillion is a French country dance that was popular in Europe and America in the 18th century. It was originally danced by four couples in square formation and was an important influence in the development of the square dance in the United States. Francis Johnson composed two sets of six piano accompaniments for this dance. The original 1818 publication even included movement instructions for the eight dancers. The short and charming melodies that he composed are a fitting example of popular dance music of the time.

This transcription may be performed as a piano solo, with the piano as a non-solistic instrument within the ensemble or without piano at all. If it is to be a piano solo, the other instruments should not play the passages marked “opt. tacet (optional tacet). If the piano will not be treated soloistically, the conductor can have some or all of the “opt. tacet passages played at their discretion. When there is no piano involved in the performance ,all instrumentalists should ignore the “opt. tacet instruction and play everything.

Concert Band (optional solo piano) - intermediate

SKU: AI.AMC-WB-003SCO

Composed by Francis Johnson. Arranged by Kenneth Amis. Music of Black Composers and Artists. Conductor score. Amis Musical Circle #AMC-WB-003SCO. Published by Amis Musical Circle (AI.AMC-WB-003SCO).

11 x 17 inches.

The 1818 publication of Francis Johnson's A Collection of New Cotillions marks the first known publication of original music by a black composer in the United States. A prolific composer, instrumentalist, teacher and conductor, Johnson led a varied and successful career in an era in U.S. history that was not inviting to black professionals. His musical interests ranged from the contemporary works of Johann Strauss Jr. to traditional, popular dances.

The cotillion is a French country dance that was popular in Europe and America in the 18th century. It was originally danced by four couples in square formation and was an important influence in the development of the square dance in the United States. Francis Johnson composed two sets of six piano accompaniments for this dance. The original 1818 publication even included movement instructions for the eight dancers. The short and charming melodies that he composed are a fitting example of popular dance music of the time.

This transcription may be performed as a piano solo, with the piano as a non-solistic instrument within the ensemble or without piano at all. If it is to be a piano solo, the other instruments should not play the passages marked “opt. tacet (optional tacet). If the piano will not be treated soloistically, the conductor can have some or all of the “opt. tacet passages played at their discretion. When there is no piano involved in the performance ,all instrumentalists should ignore the “opt. tacet instruction and play everything.