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

Par HUMMEL BERTOLD. As an educational and recital piece, Bertold Hummel's Sonatina Op. 35, composed in 1969, has accompanied many a young musician following his or her own path. Having sold a thousand times all over the world, it is one of the composer's best-known works and has been included in the repertoire list for the 'Jugend musiziert' competition by the German Music Council. The three movements are characterized by warmth and exciting rhythms: in the powerful Maestoso, the sonority of the main theme is contrasted with a lyrical side theme - the recapitulation ends with an impulsive Fugato. The second movement Elegie consists of a single soulful melody over spherical harmonies of the piano. As a highlight, playful ease, marching rhythms and dramatic intensifications alternate in quick succession in the Finale vivace, followed by wild arpeggios that conclude the piece. Originally composed for violin, versions for viola and violoncello were already commonly used. To mark its 50th birthday, Simrock / Boosey and Hawkes present the work in a revised, newly set edition. Written in the 1990s by the composer himself and now available for the first time, the versions for alto and tenor saxophone are valuable additions to the repertoire for beginning instrumentalists./ Répertoire / Violon et Piano

Une sélection d'airs irlandais arrangé pour être adapté à tous les instruments, avec les accords de guitare simples. Vous voulez quelques airs honnêtes à la bonté facile? Vous êtes un débutant sur ??votre instrument choisi? Peut-être que vous avez appris dans le passé, abandonné et sont prêts à essayer de faire la musique à nouveau. Peut-être que vous êtes à la recherche d'un bon nombre de grands airs qui sont simples à lire et à jouer. Toots and Twiddles sont faites en pensant à vous-là une richesse de mélodies, certains vous le savez, certains vous n'aimez pas, arrangé pour jouabilité avec une gamme limitée de billets et plus facile des clés. / Tout Instrument / 40 pages / niveau : Facile / Partition