By Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625). Arranged by Elgar Howarth. Brass Ensemble. For 10-Piece Brass Ensemble. A gem from the English Renaissance. Renaissance. Medium. Score and parts. Standard Notation. Duration 4:45. Published by Winwood Music . Score and Parts. Renaissance.

2 treble recorders

SKU: HL.49043977

Edited by Hans Magolt and Rainer Butz. This edition: Saddle stitching. Sheet music with CD. Woodwind. Diese Tanzmelodien fur zwei Alt-Blockfloten erwecken das Lebensgefuhl von Renaissance und Barock und versetzen musikalisch in langst vergangene Zeiten. Bereits damals beliebt und weit verbreitet, sind die Allemandes, Sarabandes, Chaconnes, Gavotten, Gigue. Softcover with CD. 32 pages. Schott Music #ED 20869. Published by Schott Music (HL.49043977).

ISBN 9783795754952. German. Bernhard Mark; Karin Schliehe.

These dance melodies for two treble recorders create an insight into life in the Renaissance and Baroque eras and take us on a musical journey to times long past. Very popular and quite common in their day, the allemandes, sarabands, chaconnes, gavottes, and gigues have remained popular throughout the centuries. Staying true to the historical style, the pieces have been arranged according to dance types and not to the level of difficulty.

Violin and Piano

SKU: HL.14003914

Composed by A.C. MacKenzie. Music Sales America. Classical. Book [Softcover]. Music Sales #NOV120038. Published by Music Sales (HL.14003914).

8.25x11.75x0.058 inches.

Benedictus is a work of depth and feeling that some listeners claim 'out-Elgars Elgar.'Composer, conductor and educator Alexander MacKenzie is perhaps best known for his Choral works and his works inspired by Scottish melodies and themes, as in this well-known work Benedictus . Benedictus is extracted from Benedictus is a work of depth and feeling that some listeners claim 'out-Elgars Elgar.'Composer, conductor and educator Alexander MacKenzie is perhaps best known for his Choral works and his works inspired by Scottish melodies and themes, as in this well-known work Benedictus . Benedictus is extracted from Six Pieces for Violin and is dedicated to Lady Halle. During hislifetime - 1847 to 1935 - MacKenzie's programmatic Scottish-inflected work was extremely popular, and he is regarded as one of those who set the scene for the British musical renaissance of the late 19th century. and is dedicated to Lady Halle. During his lifetime - 1847 to 1935 - MacKenzie's programmatic Scottish-inflected work was extremely popular, and he is regarded as one of those who set the scene for the British musical renaissance of the late 19th century.

Orchestra Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Contrabass, Contrabassoon, English Horn, Flute 1, Flute 2, Harp, Horn 1, Horn 2, Horn 3, Horn 4, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Percussion 3, Percussion 4, Piccolo and more.

SKU: PR.11641139S

Composed by Lowell Liebermann. Full score. Duration 15 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #116-41139S. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.11641139S).

UPC: 680160682119.

Barca rolles for a Sinking City was inspired by the city of Venice, a place that has long held the fascination of artists, writers and composers, and which I have been lucky enough to visit on several occasions. Sadly it seems that future generations may not be so lucky: in addition to the city's slow sinking and recently discovered tilting, studies predict that if global warming and the resultant rise of ocean levels is unabated, the entire city (as well as many other coastal cities around the globe) will be under water by 2100.   I. Funeral Gondola The late, cryptic piano works of Franz Liszt made a profound impression on me as a young composer, among them two works he entitled La Lugubre Gondola (usually translated as The Funeral Gondola ) which were said to be a premonition of Wagner's death in Venice, his coffin transported through the canals in a black gondola. These late pieces of Liszt acquired even greater significance to me after I spent two summers in Bayreuth under the patronage of Friedelind Wagner, the granddaughter of Wagner and great-granddaughter of Liszt. This movement is a meditation on Wagner, Liszt, Venice and its own evanescence. II. Barcarolle/Quodlibet The Quodlibet (Latin for what pleases) is a musical form dating back to the 15th century where many disparate melodies are juxtaposed. Popular in the Renaissance, sacred and secular melodies were combined, often to comical effect due to the resultant incongruity of the words. The form was considered the ultimate test of a composer's mastery of counterpoint. The most famous Quodlibet is without doubt the final Variation of Bach's Goldberg Variations. As a form the Quodlibet is less common in more recent music, although examples can be found in the works of Kurt Weill and David Del Tredici.   My own Barcarolle/Quodlibet was inspired by the (perhaps apocryphal) story of the funeral where musicians were asked to play a Bach Choral, but due to miscommunication played instead the Bacarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann. Here, the Bach Choral Allen Menschen mussen sterben (All Men Must Die) is heard in the strings pizzicato, with a tempo indication In slow motion. The alto line of the Bach suggests a phrase from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (Alle Menchen werden Bruder) heard in the muted trombone. Before long, the famous tune from Offenbach's opera is heard, followed by quotations from iconic Barcarolles by Chopin, Mendelssohn and Faure, as well as two Venetian popular songs and more Beethoven.   III. Barcarola/Ostinato/Carill on An ostinato is a repeated musical figure, and carillon is Italian for music box. This movement references the obsolete genre of salon pieces that imitated music boxes: such works by composers like Liadov and Gretchaninov used to be a mainstay of pianists' encore repertoire. This movement is however much darker in conception than those pleasant trifles. Utilizing the full battery of percussion, the carefully notated temporal slowing of the ostinato becomes overwhelmed by a poignant chorale melody before this box is snapped shut.   IV. Barcarolle Oubliee (Forgotten Barcarolle) Marked limpido (still) the final movement begins with the sound of rain produced by a percussion instrument called (appropriately) a rain stick. Halting phrases in the harp coalesce into the accompaniment for a plangent melody heard in the clarinet. The central Adagio of this movement leads to a shattering climax, before the opening phrases return and dissipate into nothingness.

Orchestra Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Contrabass, Contrabassoon, English Horn, Flute 1, Flute 2, Harp, Horn 1, Horn 2, Horn 3, Horn 4, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Percussion 1, Percussion 2, Percussion 3, Percussion 4, Piccolo and more.

SKU: PR.11641139L

Composed by Lowell Liebermann. Large Score. Duration 15 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #116-41139L. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.11641139L).

UPC: 680160682126.

Barca rolles for a Sinking City was inspired by the city of Venice, a place that has long held the fascination of artists, writers and composers, and which I have been lucky enough to visit on several occasions. Sadly it seems that future generations may not be so lucky: in addition to the city's slow sinking and recently discovered tilting, studies predict that if global warming and the resultant rise of ocean levels is unabated, the entire city (as well as many other coastal cities around the globe) will be under water by 2100.   I. Funeral Gondola The late, cryptic piano works of Franz Liszt made a profound impression on me as a young composer, among them two works he entitled La Lugubre Gondola (usually translated as The Funeral Gondola ) which were said to be a premonition of Wagner's death in Venice, his coffin transported through the canals in a black gondola. These late pieces of Liszt acquired even greater significance to me after I spent two summers in Bayreuth under the patronage of Friedelind Wagner, the granddaughter of Wagner and great-granddaughter of Liszt. This movement is a meditation on Wagner, Liszt, Venice and its own evanescence. II. Barcarolle/Quodlibet The Quodlibet (Latin for what pleases) is a musical form dating back to the 15th century where many disparate melodies are juxtaposed. Popular in the Renaissance, sacred and secular melodies were combined, often to comical effect due to the resultant incongruity of the words. The form was considered the ultimate test of a composer's mastery of counterpoint. The most famous Quodlibet is without doubt the final Variation of Bach's Goldberg Variations. As a form the Quodlibet is less common in more recent music, although examples can be found in the works of Kurt Weill and David Del Tredici.   My own Barcarolle/Quodlibet was inspired by the (perhaps apocryphal) story of the funeral where musicians were asked to play a Bach Choral, but due to miscommunication played instead the Bacarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann. Here, the Bach Choral Allen Menschen mussen sterben (All Men Must Die) is heard in the strings pizzicato, with a tempo indication In slow motion. The alto line of the Bach suggests a phrase from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony (Alle Menchen werden Bruder) heard in the muted trombone. Before long, the famous tune from Offenbach's opera is heard, followed by quotations from iconic Barcarolles by Chopin, Mendelssohn and Faure, as well as two Venetian popular songs and more Beethoven.   III. Barcarola/Ostinato/Carill on An ostinato is a repeated musical figure, and carillon is Italian for music box. This movement references the obsolete genre of salon pieces that imitated music boxes: such works by composers like Liadov and Gretchaninov used to be a mainstay of pianists' encore repertoire. This movement is however much darker in conception than those pleasant trifles. Utilizing the full battery of percussion, the carefully notated temporal slowing of the ostinato becomes overwhelmed by a poignant chorale melody before this box is snapped shut.   IV. Barcarolle Oubliee (Forgotten Barcarolle) Marked limpido (still) the final movement begins with the sound of rain produced by a percussion instrument called (appropriately) a rain stick. Halting phrases in the harp coalesce into the accompaniment for a plangent melody heard in the clarinet. The central Adagio of this movement leads to a shattering climax, before the opening phrases return and dissipate into nothingness.

Guitar - Intermediate

SKU: MB.WBM58M

Traditional, Wire bound, Celtic. Folk. Book and online audio. 216 pages. Mel Bay Publications, Inc #WBM58M. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc (MB.WBM58M).

ISBN 9781736363058. 8.75x11.75 inches.

A comprehensive collection of 172 guitar solos for the flatpick or plectrum guitarist. All solos are written in standard notation with accompanying online recordings by the author. The solos include beautiful American, British and Celtic airs and ballads, Celtic dance tunes, lute and early music, popular classical repertoire and contemporary etudes. Includes access to online audio.

(GEH)

SKU: HL.49023844

Composed by Kunterbund. This edition: Saddle stitching. Sheet music. Kunter-bund-edition. Melody line (with chords). 96 pages. Schott Music #BUND 71131. Published by Schott Music (HL.49023844).

ISBN 9783795756703. 5.75x8.25x0.22 inches. German.

Der Liederstrauss enthalt eine bunte Vielfalt von Liedern. Der zeitliche Rahmen umfasst Lieder aus der Zeit der Renaissance bis hin zu popularen Songs der vergangenen Jahre. Bei der Auswahl der Lieder stand die gute Singbarkeit im Vordergrund, daneben der Bekanntheitsgrad der Melodien und die Aktualitat der Liedertexte. Einen besonderen Schwerpunkt bilden Lieder aus Filmen und Musicals. Ein weiterer Bereich sind volkstumliche deutschsprachige Lieder und traditionelle Lieder aus anderen Landern.

Choral (3 Part Treble Choir)

SKU: HL.257952

Arranged by Steven Rickards. Henry Leck Creating Artistry. Concert, Festival. Octavo. 12 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.257952).

UPC: 888680724764. 6.75x10.5 inches.

This song, made popular during the Renaissance, celebrates the joys of dancing, singing, and hunting. Detailed performance notes offer suggestions for presenting an authentic and stylistic performance by employing instruments and ostinato percussion lines.

Choir Secular. 3-Part Mixed Choir (SAB). Choral Octavo; Masterworks. Choral Designs. Madrigal; Masterwork Arrangement; Renaissance. Choral Octavo. 8 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing

Harpsichord

SKU: HL.14020226

Composed by Elizabeth Maconchy. Music Sales America. Classical. Book [Softcover]. Composed 2002. 16 pages. Chester Music #CH55112. Published by Chester Music (HL.14020226).

8.25x11.75x0.077 inches.

A Harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed. The instrument was widely used in Renaissance and Baroque music. During the late 18th century,it gradually disappeared from the musical scene with the rise of the Piano. In the 20th century, it made a resurgence, being used in historically informed performances of older music, in new (contemporary) compositions, and inpopular culture.

This piece is perfect for anyone who wants to discover this unique instrument. Composed in 1966 by Elizabeth Maconchy the upbeat allegro of Notebook For Harpsichord takesapproximately 8 minutes to perform.

Chamber Music Piano

SKU: PR.140401320

Composed by Eubie Blake. Edited by Lara Downes. Arranged by Jeremy Siskind. Sws. Score. 8 pages. Duration 3:45. Theodore Presser Company #140-40132. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.140401320).

ISBN 9781491134177. UPC: 680160684274. 9 x 12 inches. Key: F major.

LOVE WILL FIND A WAY is one of the great hits of the 1920s – an era of remarkable cultural growth giving rise to “The Roaring '20s,” “The Harlem Renaissance,” and a fun-loving society known for the Charleston dance craze and the surge of jazz into the mainstream of American music. A song from Shuffle Along, the first all-Black Broadway musical, LOVE WILL FIND A WAY has been arranged by pianist Jeremy Siskind especially for Lara Downes’ recording that launches the Rising Sun series.
According to Langston Hughes, Eubie Blake’s 1921 Shuffle Along was the real start of the Harlem Renaissance. In Hughes’ words: “Everybody was in the audience, including me. It gave just the proper push, a pre-Charleston kick, to that Negro vogue of the '20s that spread to books, African sculpture, music, and dancing.”As Broadway’s first all-Black hit musical, with an all-star cast including Paul Robeson and a young Josephine Baker, Shuffle Along ran for an unprecedented 504 performances in New York, then toured nationally for three years as the first Black musical to play in white theaters across the United States. The show’s appeal to a multi-racial audience, and its integration of the jazz and Broadway communities, not only changed the history of the American musical theater, but made important strides forward in American race relations.Love Will Find a Way is one of the show’s most popular tunes. This intimate, pensive arrangement by Jeremy Siskind celebrates the song’s centenary by making it a love song for our own time as much as its own – a reminder that no matter how dark the path or how gray the skies, love will always find a way.

Composed by John LaBarbera. Squareback saddle-stitched. Book and online audio. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc (MB.22176M).

Composed by Various. Arranged by Ernesto Quezada. For guitar solo. Level 3. 60 pages. Published by Les Productions d'OZ

Composed by William Byrd (1540-1623). Arranged by Kelly Via. Alry Publications #FC750NW. Published by Alry Publications

SATB and Piano Mixed Choir; Piano Accompaniment (SATB with Piano)

SKU: HL.50606837

Selected Works for SATB and Piano. Composed by Lajos Bardos. EMB. 20Th Century, Classical. Octavo. Editio Musica Budapest #Z15218. Published by Editio Musica Budapest (HL.50606837).

ISBN 9798350114607. UPC: 196288188766.

Lajos Bárdos (1899-1986), composer, musicologist, teacher, and choral conductor, laid down, together with Kodály, the foundations of 20th-century Hungarian choral music. Through his work as a conductor, he raised the standards of Hungarian choral singing to an international level in a few decades. His compositions were directed towards cultivating Hungarian choral life: they draw on Renaissance polyphony and Hungarian folk music, following Kodály and Bartók. His works, which are models of choral writing, deal sensitively with Hungarian prosody and radiate an inner harmony and vigor. A selection of his most popular choral works has been published with English texts by Gail Needleman in five volumes. Contents: 1. Márkus Miklós dr.: Campfire Song 2. Kovács Márk: Stretch Thy Hands. 3. Dienes Valéria Dr.: Christmas Lullaby 4. Czikéné Lovich Ilona: Holy Christmas Night.

Equal Upper Voices and Piano Choral; Piano Accompaniment (Highlights)

SKU: HL.50606838

Composed by Lajos Bardos. EMB. 20Th Century, Classical. Octavo. Editio Musica Budapest #Z15219. Published by Editio Musica Budapest (HL.50606838).

ISBN 9798350114614. UPC: 196288188773.

Lajos Bárdos (1899-1986), composer, musicologist, teacher, and choral conductor, laid down, together with Kodály, the foundations of 20th-century Hungarian choral music. Through his work as a conductor, he raised the standards of Hungarian choral singing to an international level in a few decades. His compositions were directed towards cultivating Hungarian choral life: they draw on Renaissance polyphony and Hungarian folk music, following Kodály and Bartók. His works, which are models of choral writing, deal sensitively with Hungarian prosody and radiate an inner harmony and vigor. A selection of his most popular choral works has been published with English texts by Gail Needleman in five volumes. Contents: 1. Márkus Miklós dr.: Campfire Song 2. Kerényi György dr.: Golden-Winged Angel 3. Dienes Valéria Dr.: Christmas Lullaby 4. Czikéné Lovich Ilona: Holy Christmas Night 5. Hey, Daddy Longlegs.

Basso (cello/double bass) (solos: SAATBB - choir: SSAATB - 2rec.B-fl.2.0.0. - 0.2.0.0. - timp - str - bc)

SKU: BR.EOS-8063-26

Hail! Bright Cecilia. Composed by Henry Purcell. Stapled. Eulenburg Orchestral Series. Renaissance/early Baroque; Baroque. Part. 20 pages. Duration 60'. Breitkopf and Haertel #EOS 8063-26. Published by Breitkopf and Haertel (BR.EOS-8063-26).

ISBN 9790004789810. 8.5 x 11.5 inches.

The Ode was admirably set by Mr. Henry Purcell, and performed twice with universal applause.
(The Gentlemen's Journal, 1692)

The popularity of Purcell's setting is apparent from the many sources that survive and from the printed extracts which appeared almost immediately after its first performance. The primary source for this edition is the largely autograph manuscript in the Bodleian Library. Rather to reduce the orthography to a norm, the capitalization of the vocal text favours Purcell's preferences.
(Christop her Hogwood) Vokalensemble Stuttgart und den Kammerchor des Kopernikus-Gymnasiums Wasseralfingen. Fur diese beiden ganz unterschiedlichen Chorformationen hat Martin Smolka 2012 auch gezielt seine Partitur angelegt. Biografisch ist das Agnus Dei eine Art kleines Requiem fur seinen kurz zuvor verstorbenen Vater. Das liturgische Agnus Dei rahmt den deutschen Text Eh das Madchen entschlief ... der bei Auffuhrungen in anderen Landern durch eine Ubersetzung ersetzt werden soll.

Der SWR-Redakteur Hans-Peter Jahn schreibt dazu im Programmheft: Die fur Smolka typischen minimalistischen Taktzellen schaffen eine archaische Sinnlichkeit. Eine einfache und zugleich streng gebaute Vokalmusik mit Tiefenwirkung.

Nac h der Urauffuhrung war die Esslinger Zeitung hellauf begeistert: Smolka ist ein Meister der Stimmbehandlung und der chorischen Klanggestaltung. Im Zentrum des Stucks gerat die Musik zum Stillstand: im leisen gleichmassigen Summen uber dem plotzlich fortissimo ein tschechisches Kinderlied erklingt eines das der Vater seinen Kindern haufig vorgesungen hat. Das alles war sehr beruhrend. Und eigentlich noch mehr als das. My father PhDr. Jaroslav Smolka (1933-2011) was a leading Czech musicologist author of books Czech Cantata and Oratorium Fuga in Czech Music Smetana's Orchestra Music Smetana's Vocal Music monography of Jan Dismas Zelenka and many others. He was a legendary teacher of Music History at Prague Music Academy critic recording producer composer; for almost 50 years he was an important and highly respected personality of Prague musical life.
My father devoted a lot of time and energy to musical education and activities of my sister and me using often quite original methods such as teaching of intervals and counterpoint through Bartok's Microcosmos ear training filling all imaginable moments of everyday life or lessons of harmony analysis starting with Overture to Tristan and Musorgsky's Catacombs. The Martinu song Wondering Maiden was his solo number in our home vocal productions which he used to sing with amazing devotion while his huge voice was audible in several neighboring streets.
My Agnus Dei is closely bound to all this history e.g. by using canon and preferring beauty of dissonant seconds like Bartok or quoting Martinu and his refined neoclassical harmony. Father would be probably a bit critical about the minimalistic monotony of the main body of the piece. Nevertheless firstly he would improvise a short lecture of history of Agnus Dei in Requiem in Czech Music naming by heart many dates and all examples of changes of order of the traditional text by composers. Examples would be sung probably.
(Martin Smolka).

Chorus (with soloists) and piano (solos: SAATBB - choir: SSAATB - 2rec.B-fl.2.0.0. - 0.2.0.0. - timp - str - bc)

SKU: BR.ED-10296

Hail! Bright Cecilia. Composed by Henry Purcell. Edited by Christopher Hogwood. Choir; stapled. Renaissance/early Baroque; Baroque. Piano/Vocal Score. 80 pages. Duration 60'. Breitkopf and Haertel #ED 10296. Published by Breitkopf and Haertel (BR.ED-10296).

ISBN 9790220101977. 7.5 x 11 inches.

The Ode was admirably set by Mr. Henry Purcell, and performed twice with universal applause.
(The Gentlemen's Journal, 1692)

The popularity of Purcell's setting is apparent from the many sources that survive and from the printed extracts which appeared almost immediately after its first performance. The primary source for this edition is the largely autograph manuscript in the Bodleian Library. Rather to reduce the orthography to a norm, the capitalization of the vocal text favours Purcell's preferences.
(Christop her Hogwood) Vokalensemble Stuttgart und den Kammerchor des Kopernikus-Gymnasiums Wasseralfingen. Fur diese beiden ganz unterschiedlichen Chorformationen hat Martin Smolka 2012 auch gezielt seine Partitur angelegt. Biografisch ist das Agnus Dei eine Art kleines Requiem fur seinen kurz zuvor verstorbenen Vater. Das liturgische Agnus Dei rahmt den deutschen Text Eh das Madchen entschlief ... der bei Auffuhrungen in anderen Landern durch eine Ubersetzung ersetzt werden soll.

Der SWR-Redakteur Hans-Peter Jahn schreibt dazu im Programmheft: Die fur Smolka typischen minimalistischen Taktzellen schaffen eine archaische Sinnlichkeit. Eine einfache und zugleich streng gebaute Vokalmusik mit Tiefenwirkung.

Nac h der Urauffuhrung war die Esslinger Zeitung hellauf begeistert: Smolka ist ein Meister der Stimmbehandlung und der chorischen Klanggestaltung. Im Zentrum des Stucks gerat die Musik zum Stillstand: im leisen gleichmassigen Summen uber dem plotzlich fortissimo ein tschechisches Kinderlied erklingt eines das der Vater seinen Kindern haufig vorgesungen hat. Das alles war sehr beruhrend. Und eigentlich noch mehr als das. My father PhDr. Jaroslav Smolka (1933-2011) was a leading Czech musicologist author of books Czech Cantata and Oratorium Fuga in Czech Music Smetana's Orchestra Music Smetana's Vocal Music monography of Jan Dismas Zelenka and many others. He was a legendary teacher of Music History at Prague Music Academy critic recording producer composer; for almost 50 years he was an important and highly respected personality of Prague musical life.
My father devoted a lot of time and energy to musical education and activities of my sister and me using often quite original methods such as teaching of intervals and counterpoint through Bartok's Microcosmos ear training filling all imaginable moments of everyday life or lessons of harmony analysis starting with Overture to Tristan and Musorgsky's Catacombs. The Martinu song Wondering Maiden was his solo number in our home vocal productions which he used to sing with amazing devotion while his huge voice was audible in several neighboring streets.
My Agnus Dei is closely bound to all this history e.g. by using canon and preferring beauty of dissonant seconds like Bartok or quoting Martinu and his refined neoclassical harmony. Father would be probably a bit critical about the minimalistic monotony of the main body of the piece. Nevertheless firstly he would improvise a short lecture of history of Agnus Dei in Requiem in Czech Music naming by heart many dates and all examples of changes of order of the traditional text by composers. Examples would be sung probably.
(Martin Smolka).

Woodwinds (solos: SAATBB - choir: SSAATB - 2rec.B-fl.2.0.0. - 0.2.0.0. - timp - str - bc)

SKU: BR.EOS-8063-30

Hail! Bright Cecilia. Composed by Henry Purcell. Stapled. Eulenburg Orchestral Series. Renaissance/early Baroque; Baroque. Set of parts. 40 pages. Duration 60'. Breitkopf and Haertel #EOS 8063-30. Published by Breitkopf and Haertel (BR.EOS-8063-30).

ISBN 9790004789827. 8.5 x 11.5 inches.

The Ode was admirably set by Mr. Henry Purcell, and performed twice with universal applause.
(The Gentlemen's Journal, 1692)

The popularity of Purcell's setting is apparent from the many sources that survive and from the printed extracts which appeared almost immediately after its first performance. The primary source for this edition is the largely autograph manuscript in the Bodleian Library. Rather to reduce the orthography to a norm, the capitalization of the vocal text favours Purcell's preferences.
(Christop her Hogwood) Vokalensemble Stuttgart und den Kammerchor des Kopernikus-Gymnasiums Wasseralfingen. Fur diese beiden ganz unterschiedlichen Chorformationen hat Martin Smolka 2012 auch gezielt seine Partitur angelegt. Biografisch ist das Agnus Dei eine Art kleines Requiem fur seinen kurz zuvor verstorbenen Vater. Das liturgische Agnus Dei rahmt den deutschen Text Eh das Madchen entschlief ... der bei Auffuhrungen in anderen Landern durch eine Ubersetzung ersetzt werden soll.

Der SWR-Redakteur Hans-Peter Jahn schreibt dazu im Programmheft: Die fur Smolka typischen minimalistischen Taktzellen schaffen eine archaische Sinnlichkeit. Eine einfache und zugleich streng gebaute Vokalmusik mit Tiefenwirkung.

Nac h der Urauffuhrung war die Esslinger Zeitung hellauf begeistert: Smolka ist ein Meister der Stimmbehandlung und der chorischen Klanggestaltung. Im Zentrum des Stucks gerat die Musik zum Stillstand: im leisen gleichmassigen Summen uber dem plotzlich fortissimo ein tschechisches Kinderlied erklingt eines das der Vater seinen Kindern haufig vorgesungen hat. Das alles war sehr beruhrend. Und eigentlich noch mehr als das. My father PhDr. Jaroslav Smolka (1933-2011) was a leading Czech musicologist author of books Czech Cantata and Oratorium Fuga in Czech Music Smetana's Orchestra Music Smetana's Vocal Music monography of Jan Dismas Zelenka and many others. He was a legendary teacher of Music History at Prague Music Academy critic recording producer composer; for almost 50 years he was an important and highly respected personality of Prague musical life.
My father devoted a lot of time and energy to musical education and activities of my sister and me using often quite original methods such as teaching of intervals and counterpoint through Bartok's Microcosmos ear training filling all imaginable moments of everyday life or lessons of harmony analysis starting with Overture to Tristan and Musorgsky's Catacombs. The Martinu song Wondering Maiden was his solo number in our home vocal productions which he used to sing with amazing devotion while his huge voice was audible in several neighboring streets.
My Agnus Dei is closely bound to all this history e.g. by using canon and preferring beauty of dissonant seconds like Bartok or quoting Martinu and his refined neoclassical harmony. Father would be probably a bit critical about the minimalistic monotony of the main body of the piece. Nevertheless firstly he would improvise a short lecture of history of Agnus Dei in Requiem in Czech Music naming by heart many dates and all examples of changes of order of the traditional text by composers. Examples would be sung probably.
(Martin Smolka).