Par DVORAK ANTONIN. The profound impression it makes on us is due in part to the sequence of variations on a death motif that seems to have been borrowed from the beginning of the second Kyrie from Bach's Mass in B minor. Written in 1890, it was commissioned by the publisher Novello for the Birmingham Music Festival and premiered there under the direction of the composer on 9 October 1891. For this performance, Dvorák used a copy of the score which he had personally examined and which later served as the engraver's copy. The Dvorák scholar Klaus Döge succeeded in tracking down its location and evaluating this important source for the first time. It contains the 'Fassung letzter Hand' and, moreover, offers valuable insights into Dvorák's conducting workshop. It served as the principal source for the Breitkopf Urtext edition./ Répertoire / Alto

Geoffrey Burgon's Six Studies were originally composed for solo cello. This transcription authorised by the composer has involved some changes in register and notes due to the different timbres and response of the viola and theconsiderable difference in physical size of the two instruments. This work was commissioned by the Portsmouth Festival with funds provided by Southen Arts. The first performance was given by Julian Lloyd Webber at theCathedral Church of Old Portsmouth in June 1980.

Alfred's Pop Quartets for All series is a versatile, educational, and fun series intended for like or mixed instruments to perform in any size group or combination of instruments. All books are in score format with each line increasing in difficulty from Grade 1 to Grade 3-4. Alternate passages and notation are included to suit instrumental ranges. With no page turns required, the songs and measures are consistent which makes finding rehearsal points quick and convenient. Perfect for concerts with family and friends, recitals, auditions, and festivals. Available for brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion. / Alto