Victor Caussinus wrote two versions of Air varié, a concertante piece for ophicleide and orchestra: one for an instrument in C and symphonic orchestra, the other one for an instrument in B b and concert band. The piece belongs to the theme and variation genre. After an andante Introduction in minor, the theme is stated and followed by three variations and a Polacca. After a brief return of the Andante, the piece ends with a virtuoso Finale.The arrangement for euphonium or saxhorn and piano is adapted from the original manuscript of the concert band version, the instrumentation of which calls for: '1 piccolo in D b, 1 soprano clarinet in E b, 4 clarinets in B b (including one solo), 2 bassoons, 2 cornets in A b, 2 horns in E b, 2 horns in B b, 2 trumpets in E b, 3 trombones, 1 ophicleide in B b?. / Tuba Et Piano

Historical information about Händel's Water Music Suites is limited, but certainly these works were intended for two, possibly three, parties given by King George I on the Thames River, London, between 1715 and 1736. Händel and his orchestra played on a barge. Since then the some twenty-two separate original pieces have been organized into three Suites and nicknamed 'Water Music?, each having a separate key and likely corresponding to these river parties. This transcription of Water Music Suite II for saxophone quartet has two purposes: to make this music available to saxophonists for performance and education, and to provide in one volume the entire Suite II. The exception to the latter, because of the limits of endurance, is the exclusion of the short Adagio, a brief interlude between the fi rst two movements. Included though are the Allegro, Hornpipe, Minuet, Lentement, and Bourree. These works were originally meant for an outdoor performance, and one of the original intentions of the saxophone was to play in French military bands, also an open-air purpose. The original scoring of brass, woodwind, and string instruments (but no continuo) transcribe well for saxophones. Matching the ranges of instruments of the original to the saxophone quartet was a primary objective. In addition, this arrangement strives to disperse melodic material to all four saxophones so as to make the arrangement pleasing to all the members of the quartet while providing variety to an audience. Any dynamic, articulation, and tempo markings are to be taken only as suggestions so as to allow interpretation by the performers. The musical study and performance of all styles while using examples of composition and performance that represent excellence is necessary for saxophonists who wish to be well-rounded musicians. For the above reasons saxophonists are urged to listen to recordings of the original orchestration in order to learn and imitate proper interpretation of Baroque style. There are currently a number of excellent recordings of Handel's Suites on period instruments, such as (but not limited to) those by conductors John Eliot Gardiner, Christopher Hogwood, and the ensemble Tafelmusik. The Lewis-Clark State College Saxophone Quartet has for many years enjoyed performing Suite II for concerts, ceremonies and social settings, and I thank Advance Music for the opportunity to bring these great works to the profession. / 4 Saxophones (SATBar)

Serenade für 13 Instrumente. Par MOZART WOLFGANG AMADEUS. An announcement in the Wiener-Zeitung read: “Concert. Today [23 March 1784] Herr [Anton] Stadler Sr. , presently in the service of His Majesty the Emperor, will hold a concert for his own benefit at the Royal Imperial National Court Theatre in which, among other select pieces, he will present a grand work for wind-band of a quite special character, composed by Herr Mozart. ” That this was almost certainly four movements from the present Serenade in B-flat major, K. 361, is suggested by an account of the occasion published some months later, which states, “Today I heard a composition by Herr Mozart in 4 movements for wind ensemble. . . comprising 13 instruments: 4 horns, 2oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 clarinetts, 2 basset horns and a contrabass viol. . . . ” Much music of the serenade-divertimento-cassation-Nachtmusik type was written in a light style and intended for social occasions rather than formal concerts. In such a context K. 361 is striking for its seriousness of artistic content, its length (seven movements lasting nearly an hour), and its extended instrumentation (most wind-band music of the period calls for five to eight or nine players, not thirteen). If the work was not conceived in the first instance as a concert work, its potential as such must have been recognized early on by Mozart or Stadler. - Urtext of the New Mozart Edition - Parts (BA5331-22) and study score format 22. 5 x 16. 5cm (TP312) available for sale/ Répertoire / Partition de Poche