SKU: HL.49003292

ISBN 9790220119446.

A series of original graded pieces for piano or keyboard with suggestions for improvisation and composition. Duets are included in each volume. The series can be used either as a first tutor or as supplementary material for students following other courses. Contents: Bells * Spiral Staircase * Downside Up, Upside Down * It's a mystery * Cute * Little Prelude * Trumpets and Drums * Short Story (Duet) * Robin Hood and his Merry Men * Church in the Mist * Sweetness and Light * Camel Train * Waving Goodbye (Duet) * Garden Swing * Small World * Marchin' Blues * Cool as a Carrot * Dead Man's Creek * Taide's Tune (Duet) * Teddy Bears in the Moonlight * Exercices * Terms and Signs * Key to the Written Music.

SKU: HL.48021234

ISBN 9781458423542. UPC: 884088642037. 6.75x10.5 inches.

Text: in Latin compiled from the charter of the University, and from older orations in praise of Basle by Bernhard Wyss.

Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes

Difficulty level: 4 (for chorus)

Britten's genius lifts this work above being just a worthy celebration of the 500th anniversary of the foundation of Basle University. It is tongue-in-cheek and mockingly non-academic while referring all the time to academic musical forms and formulae. It is written in two parts (everything is in the statutory Latin including the titles of the parts - Pars I and Pars II). The titles of the movements show Britten's intention to show off a wide variety of techniques. Here are some examples: Chorale/Alla Rovescio (the theme is given and responded to with the same melody upside down)/Recitativo/Tema seriale con fuga/Canone ed ostinato. There is a good deal of humour here.

There are seven movements in Pars I and six in Pars II. The tenor soloist is given three florid recitatives, accompanied only by a piano, which act as bridges between other orchestrally accompanied movements. Of these the most noteworthy are the Arioso con canto popolare for soprano solo with tenors and basses who hum a student song; another terrific Britten scherzo; and a wonderfully raucous final pair of movements (Canon ed ostinato and Corale con canto) where Britten seems to be aping the Vivat Regina! cries in Parry's I was glad or encouraging the kind of noisy 'I'm from the best university' kind of student touchline shout. This has outrageously high notes for the tenors (top B) which further endorse this feeling. There are real echoes of the Spring Symphony (see separate entry) final movement here which are further underlined by the last section of the Cantata which brings in the bells, piano, huge percussion and the inevitable chorale in which the choir sings 'that a free academy may thrive in a free community, for ever the ornament and treasure of illustrious Basle'.

This may not be Britten at his most soul-searching but, as always, there is plenty here to enjoy, especially if the work is not taken too seriously. It is a celebratory, occasional piece and it could be well taken up by other academic establishments celebrating big anniversaries. The chorus parts are not very difficult, though they do present challenges for the choir - not least in having tenors capable of those very high notes at the end. The Tema seriale con fuga is sinewy and needs careful tuning. It also has the subject regularly given upside down after its initial sounding by the basses. All good fun.

Duration: 21 minutes

Paul Spicer, Lichfield, 2011.

SKU: HL.293735

ISBN 9781540051943. UPC: 888680939052. 9x12 inches.

A collection of songs from the musical stage presented in their authentic settings, excerpted from the original vocal scores. There is no duplication from prior volumes!

This edition features access to online recorded accompaniments.

Au dio is accessed online using the unique code inside the book and can be streamed or downloaded. The audio files include PLAYBACK , a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.

Contents: AMÉLIE: Thin Air ? ANASTASIA: My Petersburg ? Still ? ANNIE: You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile ? THE BAND'S VISIT: Papi Hears the Ocean ? Answer Me ? BE MORE CHILL: Michael in the Bathroom ? THE BOOK OF MORMON: I Believe ? CANDIDE: Bon Voyage ? CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: Goodbye ? DEAR EVAN HANSEN: Waving Through a Window ? For Forever ? Words Fail ? EVER AFTER: Right Before My Eyes ? FINDING NEVERLAND: If the World Turned Upside Down ? Neverland ? FROZEN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL: Hans of the Southern Isles ? In Summer ? Kristoff Lullaby ? A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE and MURDER: Stop! Wait! What?! ? HAMILTON: You'll Be Back ? THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME: Made of Stone ? KINKY BOOTS: Step One ? A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC: Later ? THE MAD ONES: Run Away With Me ? MEANGIRLS: Stop ? THE PAJAMA GAME: A New Town Is a Blue Town ? PARADE: Pretty Music ? THE SECRET GARDEN: Race You to the Top of the Morning ? SOMETHING ROTTEN!: Hard to Be the Bard ? SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE: Lesson #8 ? TOOTSIE: Waddya Do ? TUCK EVERLASTING: Top of the World ? Time.