Par ADELMANN ANDREAS. Palaces, castles and chateaus – we associate music with all these buildings, whether for exhilarating celebrations, high holidays and tournaments: these are all occasions that would have been unthinkable without music and for which there were dances in many different rhythms. This is exactly the kind of music we find in this newly written composition./ Répertoire / 5 Instruments à Vent

Par SCHWEITZER BENJAMIN. The chiaroscuro-technique developed by painters of the Italian renaissance served to intensify contrasts and effects of optical depth. In Klar/Obskur, I tried to transfer the general idea of this technique on the rather unusual instrumentation of two double-reed woodwinds and piano. On the one hand, a clear, well articulated playing is characteristic for these instruments, on the other hand, they have an often underestimated potential of „twilight“: air-sounds and fragile, shady colours have a especially attractive when being produced by double-reed instruments (which are often, and superficially regarded as being less capable of differentiated sounds than flute or clarinet). The piano, too, has a broad bandwidth of possibilities between percussive and delicate playing to complement the woodwinds which, in return, can absorb and continue the fading piano sounds. The beginning introduces the two contrasting elements that form the basic material for the piece: a clear, sharp chord, followed by fragile, dim sounds. The changes between these elements as well as their combination and amalgamation produce an enormous spectrum of colours and gesture. After this „motto-like“ opening follow four quite clearly separated short sections, each of them being characterised by a well-defined texture: a partly almost imperceptible air-sound passage, a short sequence of microintervallic notes, a burst of virtuosity and a recourse to the fragile sounds of the beginning. The second, longer main part consists of three sections merging subtly into each other: a short unisono-passage, marked elastic [federnd], is being dissolved into its basic elements; from these remainders, a confrontation of low, ‚arcane‘ bassoon and piano sounds and a strongly ornamented melodic line of the oboe emerges, leading to a short but powerful climax. The piece is concluded by an extended, relaxed epilogue, containing a short piano solo and a duet of oboe and bassoon and, finally, a quotation of the „elastic“ character of the middle section. Benjamin Schweitzer / Date parution : 2007-11-20/ Répertoire / Hautbois, Basson et Piano

Haydn's Symphony #26 received its nickname 'Lamentazione? during his lifetime, though it is unclear whether this stems directly from the composer.This work probably originated no later than 1770. Its first and second movements quote excerpts from Gregorian chants used in Holy Week. In Haydn's day it was customary to play individual movements in church services, and it may be assumed that these two movements were performed, and possibly composed, independently from each other.Continuing the collaboration between Bärenreiter and the Henle publishing company in the areas of large-scale choral works, operas and symphonies, Haydn's Symphony #26 is appearing, based on the Henle Complete Edition of the 'Works of Joseph Haydn?. The complete performance material for several of Haydn's 'Sturm und Drang? symphonies and all of the London and Paris symphonies has already been published.- Based on the Henle Complete Edition of the 'Works of Joseph Haydn?- Orchestral parts available in a large format (25.5 x 32.5 cm) / Alto

Score Parties. Par BEETHOVEN LUDWIG VAN. When Beethoven wrote these three quartets he was 15 years old and a composition student of Christian Gottlob Neefe in Bonn. They reveal a strong Mozartian influence while the brilliant piano writing already gives a sense of the mature Beethoven. He may conceivably have written the works for the wealthy Mastiaux family in Bonn, as he gave piano lessons to one of the daughters and the other three siblings played violin, viola and violoncello. The sole source for the quartets is the autograph score which contains many overwritings that shed light on the works' original conception and possible alternative readings. Although Beethoven never published the pieces in his lifetime and is not known to have performed them, he reused their melodic and thematic material in later compositions. Beethoven preserved the autograph score to the end of his days ? perhaps an indication that the quartets meant a great deal to him. The first edition was published by Artaria in Vienna one year after his death, albeit with the pieces in a different order and with many errors in the musical text. Bärenreiter's scholarly performing edition of the Piano Quartets WoO 36 is edited by the Italian pianist Leonardo Miucci, a specialist in the performance practice of keyboard music from this period. The edition not only presents the correct readings, it also sheds light on the young Beethoven's expressive notation and provides a plausible explanation for the distinction he made between dots and strokes to indicate staccato./ Répertoire / Quatuor pour Piano, Violon, Alto et Violoncelle

The study of string instruments should include ensemble playing at the earliest possible stage. There is much to be gained from the playing of duets. Each player learns how to listen to the other, and in a short time develops an awareness of balance, musical phrasing, intonation, and tone quality. This type of training is excellent preparation for participation in large groups. These four volumes of duets for two violins will help fill the need for early ensemble experience in the public schools. They should be used in string classes as a supplement to any of the standard string methods. They will also encourage music making outside of the school, with parents or with other students. These duets are ideal for recitals in the public schools and in public school festivals. They may be played by two performers, or by multiple performers on each part, with or without piano accompaniment.

Autorisierte Erstausgabe. Par RACHMANINOV SERGEI. The score and Parts for these two superb Movemets for String Orchestra by Sergei Rachmaninov. Includes the parts for two Violins, Viola and Cello./ Répertoire / Quatuor à Cordes

For Flute, Clarinet In Bb, and Piano. Par JALBERT PIERRE. Triple Set was commissioned by the Flute/Clarinet Duos Consortium, an organization of 17 groups which will give the premiere performances of the work. I’ve always been fascinated by the flute and clarinet, and when I was approached by my colleagues at Rice (Leone Buyse and Michael Webster) to write a piece for flute, clarinet and piano (I’m a pianist myself), for the Flute/Clarinet Duos Consortium, I was happy to oblige. Both of my sons also play the clarinet, so many of these sounds are around me all the time. The piece is in three contrasting movements. The first movement, Driving, marked “With great energy”, is rhythmically propelled forward by the piano’s muted strings and the flute and clarinet playing at first in rhythmic unison, then each taking a turn at solos while the other participates in the accompanimental syncopations. The second movement, Still, is marked “Timeless” and slowly unfolds its melodic and harmonic ideas. The third movement, Relentless, is a kind of 6/8 scherzo, which vigorously and relentlessly propels itself forward to the end, with just two minor interruptions of quasi-cadenza like passages for flute and clarinet duo. - Pierre Jalbert/ Répertoire / Flûte Traversière, Clarinette et Piano

This short suite, much inspired by Bartók's Six Romanian Folk Dances, is based on traditional dances and songs of Argentina. Although the original rhythms and melodies are often transformed by the use of contemporary techniques, the piece preserves the authentic spirit of each of these folk forms.Zamba de Vargas, a well known folk song, refers to a battle in Argentina between two armies of gauchos during the civil wars of the nineteenth century.Ojos Azules (Blue Eyes) is an introspective lament for lost love of Quichua origin (Northwest of Argentina). It was first collected by musicologist Leda Valladares.Both the Milonga and the Valsecito Criollo, (folk forms which developed in rural areas and then made it to the outskirts of Buenos Aires at the turn of the century) are original themes written by me based on my own personal understanding of the genre.Lastly, the Baguala is inspired on a transcription documented by Isabel Aretz which was reproduced in Las Canciones Folklóricas de la Argentina and published by Instituto Nacional de Musicología of Buenos Aires in 1969.Commissioned by and dedicated to the Minnesota Sinfonia and to its Music Director, Jay Fishman. / Flûte, Alto Et Piano

Par BARGIELSKI ZBIGNIEW . After the first performance of my Fourth Quartet, in Salzburg in 1997, the artists of the excellent Hugo Wolf Quartett approached me with the appealing proposition that I write a new quartet. Rather problematic, however, proved to be the musicians’ delicate suggestion that I invest the work with elements of a more pungent expression and elements of folklore – ideally Polish. That suggestion meant that I did not immediately come to a decision, since folklore had not been (with the exception of a few works for accordion) the object of my interest. However, in defiance of my aesthetic outlook at that time, I decided to take up this interesting invitation and tackle what was for me a difficult problem. Ultimately, I found a way out of this rather ambiguous situation by employing a sort of dodge: I gave the new work a title. In a way, ‘The time that has passed’ substantiates the current to which I referred while writing this composition. The title and the subtitles of the work’s movements, which sound quite exotic in our day and age (there are as many as nine movements), justify the curious marriage between the somewhat nostalgic past and a present that has not yet been particularly well ‘assimilated’. I hope that these feuilles d’album will discharge their ‘toning’ function well. - Zbigniew Bargielski/ Répertoire / Quatuor à Cordes

Ed. Critica A. Borin. Par VIVALDI ANTONIO. Casa Ricordi Milano in partnership with Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venezia (Istituto Antonio Vivaldi). Critical edition by Alessandro Borin. The six Concerts op. VI for violin, strings and continuo by Antonio Vivaldi were published in Amsterdam by Roger in 1719. Although the contribution of Vivaldi was probably modest – even to assume that the collection was published without the composer’s assistance and perhaps even his agreement - these six compositions mark a decisive step towards the definition of the classic Vivaldi Concerto, a change evident both from the systematic adoption of the three-movement plan and from the absence of any supplementary solo parts beyond the principalviolin. This critical edition is based on the first edition of Opus VI and its reprints, but takes also into consideration all the sources of single concertos printed into anthologies or transmitted in manuscript form (Wiesentheid and Dresden). The information gathered through the comparative analysis of the manuscript and the printed traditions of Vivaldi’s Opus 6 has permitted us to reconstruct the links among the sources, to clarify some problematic editorial decisions and formulate new hypotheses on the genesis and the intrinsic nature of the collection as a whole. / Niveau : Intermédiaire à Avancé / Date parution : 1905-07-09/ Répertoire / Violon, Ensembles de Cordes et Basse Continue

Ed. Critica A. Borin. Par VIVALDI ANTONIO. Casa Ricordi Milano in partnership with Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venezia (Istituto Antonio Vivaldi). Critical edition by Alessandro Borin. The six Concerts op. VI for violin, strings and continuo by Antonio Vivaldi were published in Amsterdam by Roger in 1719. Although the contribution of Vivaldi was probably modest – even to assume that the collection was published without the composer’s assistance and perhaps even his agreement - these six compositions mark a decisive step towards the definition of the classic Vivaldi Concerto, a change evident both from the systematic adoption of the three-movement plan and from the absence of any supplementary solo parts beyond the principalviolin. This critical edition is based on the first edition of Opus VI and its reprints, but takes also into consideration all the sources of single concertos printed into anthologies or transmitted in manuscript form (Wiesentheid and Dresden). The information gathered through the comparative analysis of the manuscript and the printed traditions of Vivaldi’s Opus 6 has permitted us to reconstruct the links among the sources, to clarify some problematic editorial decisions and formulate new hypotheses on the genesis and the intrinsic nature of the collection as a whole. / Niveau : Intermédiaire à Avancé / Date parution : 1905-07-09/ Répertoire / Violon, Ensembles de Cordes et Basse Continue

Ed. Critica A. Borin. Par VIVALDI ANTONIO. Casa Ricordi Milano in partnership with Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venezia (Istituto Antonio Vivaldi). Critical edition by Alessandro Borin. The six Concerts op. VI for violin, strings and continuo by Antonio Vivaldi were published in Amsterdam by Roger in 1719. Although the contribution of Vivaldi was probably modest – even to assume that the collection was published without the composer’s assistance and perhaps even his agreement - these six compositions mark a decisive step towards the definition of the classic Vivaldi Concerto, a change evident both from the systematic adoption of the three-movement plan and from the absence of any supplementary solo parts beyond the principalviolin. This critical edition is based on the first edition of Opus VI and its reprints, but takes also into consideration all the sources of single concertos printed into anthologies or transmitted in manuscript form (Wiesentheid and Dresden). The information gathered through the comparative analysis of the manuscript and the printed traditions of Vivaldi’s Opus 6 has permitted us to reconstruct the links among the sources, to clarify some problematic editorial decisions and formulate new hypotheses on the genesis and the intrinsic nature of the collection as a whole. / Niveau : Intermédiaire à Avancé / Date parution : 1905-07-09/ Répertoire / Violon, Ensembles de Cordes et Basse Continue

Par BARTOK BELA. Bartók?s Second String Quartet was composed ? with several long interruptions ? between 1915 and 1918, after he had spent several years almost solely devoted to collecting folk music. The melody and rhythms of the riotous middle movement ?Allegro, molto capriccioso? provide impressive testimony of how his research trips had taken him as far as North Africa. The first edition of this quartet, published in Vienna in 1920, contains a conspicuous number of errors that were only partially corrected in a later revision undertaken by Bartók. As late as the 1940s he noted changes in his personal copy of the score that have never previously appeared in print. These late changes by Bartók are taken into account in this definitive edition of the string quartets supervised by Bartók scholar László Somfai, with problematic passages in the sources carefully documented. It is the first-ever Urtext edition of this work. Sensible page turns and cue notes in the parts mean that this edition is ideal for exploring Bartók?s sound world in performance. / Date parution : 2023-05-06/ Répertoire / Quatuor à Cordes

for String Quartet Score and Parts. Par HARTKE STEPHEN. THE FIFTH BOOK of the title refers to what Stephen Hartke considers his fifth book of madrigals, only two of which books are actually for voices, with the others being for string instruments. Hartke writes madrigals for string instruments due to their inherent singing quality, but also due to the fluid structural character of the madrigal as a genre that often responds in quite mercurial ways to the emotional unfolding of its text. These five movements are thus abstract madrigals whose larger outlines, shifts in mood, and various internal reminiscences are intended to convey a private, unspoken drama. Commissioned for the Brentano String Quartet by the Frankfurt Burgerstiftung im Holzhausenschlosschen sponsored by the Ernst Max von Grunelius-Stiftung. / Date parution : 2020-04-11/ Répertoire / Quatuor à Cordes

'What's important in music that's based on a poem - on the emotion inspired by a poem - is the music and power of emotion it harbours within itself?. These words, written in 1949 by poet Pierre Reverdy, would make a deep impression on composer Betsy Jolas. She'd just sent the writer her Six mélodies for mezzo-soprano and piano composed on poems from his masterwork Plupart du temps. The songs were accompanied by a letter that betrayed her fear of distorting his ideas. In creative terms, there was no need to worry - Betsy Jolas must have placed this conviction at the heart of her reflection on the relation between text and music. Nearly sixty years later, the musician decided to take several fragments of these beloved poems of Reverdy and place them, in the form of quotations, into new musical and theatrical perspectives. The exalted memory of the words led to D'Un Journal D'Amour, a mini-cantata for Voice and Alto offered as a wedding gift to soprano Eliette Prévôt and violist Antoine Tamestit, who premiered it together in Montreuil in 2010. / Voix Et Piano