SKU: CA.3113605

ISBN 9790007171612. Language: German/English. Translation: Henry Drinker. Scripture: Matthew 7:15-23.

The cantata Erforsche mich Gott und erfahre mein Herz BWV 136 was composed in Bach's first year as Kantor of St. Thomas's in Leipzig and was first performed on the 8th Sunday after Trinity, the 18th July 1723. The librettist is unknown. The title of the cantata is taken from verse 23 of Psalm 139: Erforsche mich Gott und erfahre mein Herz; prufe mich und erfahre, wie ich's meine. (Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts) The opening chorus forms an extended fugue, framed by string writing bursting with energy. The obbligato horn accentuates and enriches the movement with a special tonal color. The alto aria in F sharp minor (movement 3) comprises a trio movement with an oboe d'amore as solo instrument in a contrasting range - a presto middle section which dramatically charges the words Denn seines Eifers Grimm vernichtet (For the fury of its zeal will destroy). In the duet (movement 5) the text is sung by tenor and bass line by line, sometimes imitating contrapuntally, and sometimes both singing together dramatically in homophonic writing. A simple chorale setting to the melody Auf meinen lieben Gott concludes the cantata. Particularly charming here is the violin which joins the four vocal parts as an independent part. Score available separately - see item CA.3113600.

SKU: FG.55011-746-4

ISBN 9790550117464.

Eina r Englund’s (1916-1999) Flute Concerto (1985) is beyond dispute one of his greatest works. Its finest attributes are its rich melodic invention, colourful instrumentation and immediate message. Add to these its rewarding solo part, and the result is truly one of his best concertos – and works. He himself did not hesitate to regard it as such. It was premiered in Helsinki on September 16, 1985, having been completed at Ljugarn on the Swedish island of Gotland at the end of June. The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Leif Segerstam, and the soloist was the concerto’s dedicatee, Mikael Helasvuo.

The Flute Concerto opens with a Ritornello in which the flute's playful, dance-like passages make sharp contrast with the orchestra's heroic stance. In the mellow Canzona which follows, the flute plays rhapsodically over repetitive orchestral figures. The work's action-packed finale hints at parody in its military march-like opening, but also gives rein to the lyricism already familiar from the second movement.

This product includes the solo flute part and the piano reduction. The orchestral study score (composer’s manuscript) is available for sale (product number 9790550117471). The performance material is available for hire from the publisher.

Duration: c. 23’
Instrumentation of the orchestra: 3(III=picc)222–433 0–14–harpsi chord(+celesta)–hp –str.