SKU: HL.51481383

UPC: 196288308102. 9.25x12.25x0.123 inches.

Bach's harpsichord concertos have proven extremely popular, though several were originally written as concertos for another solo instrument – either violin or a woodwind instrument. But we know nothing about any such preliminary versions in the case of the A-major Concerto BWV 1055. Its enchantingly songlike middle movement inevitably makes one think of the oboe d�amore, though there is in fact no reason to suppose that its idiomatic, spirited harpsichord writing was conceived from the outset for anything but a keyboard instrument. Ultimately, this music is so fresh and irresistible that all such speculation is irrelevant. For this Henle Urtext edition of the A-major Concerto, we consulted the autograph score and especially the original orchestral parts that presumably contain the musical text of the concerto as Bach himself performed it. You can�t get more authentic than this! The piano reduction contains the solo part with carefully chosen fingerings by Michael Schneidt, plus a piano accompaniment that Johannes Umbreit has arranged so as to be practical and easily playable.

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What I can expect from Henle Urtext editions:

• error-free, reliable musical texts based on meticulous musicological research - fingerings and bowings by famous artists and pedagogues
• preface in 3 languages with information on the genesis and history of the work 
• Critical Commentary in 1 – 3 languages with a description and evaluation of the sources and explaining all source discrepancies and editorial decisions 
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• page-turns, fold-out pages, and cues where you need them 
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SKU: HL.49033177

ISBN 9790001134385. UPC: 073999928334. 9.0x12.0x0.136 inches.

The two pianos introduce the bass motif one after another. Every new entry brings an increase in tempo. Only when they play together, though, is the real 'Vivace unleashed. From then on, it is only in the 'largamente' sections and a lyrical middle section (cantabile) that the racing bass figure pauses for a while. The motif weaves its way through the course of the 'Toccata' like a 'perpetuum mobile', bringing ever more complex layering to the structure of the movement. The Latvian composer Peteris Vasks has described himself as a 'musician from the periphery' on account of his geographical and cultural background. His music full of emotional rigour continues to bring him towards the centre of contemporary composition, as is evident in his instrumental chamber works.

SKU: CA.5161300

ISBN 9790007110178. Key: F major. Language: all languages.

Here Rheinberger drew on his two-piano arrangement of the Goldberg Variations not only for the choice of instruments, but also for his arrangement technique. At times Mozart's piano part alternates between the two pianos, though usually new parts are added to flesh out the texture harmonically in various ways. Occasionally Rheinberger also adds motivic parts, though never with the same skill or density as in the Goldberg Variations. In this, however, he demonstrates a consummate sense of style precisely by adhering to the compositional fabric of his original models.

SKU: HL.49047047

UPC: 196288111061.

Igor Stravinsky originally wrote the Danses concertantes for a California-based entertainment orchestra. However, the five movementsare more than purely orchestral dances. The piece is reminiscent of a ballet suite. The two marches at the beginning and end mark the entrance (prologue) and departure (epilogue) of the dancers, with two of the middle movements - 'pas d'action' and 'pas de deux' obviously alluding to the ballet. The arrangement for two pianos by Ingolf Dahl is not just a reduction of the orchestral writing,but deliberately intended as an independent concert version.