Oratorio in two parts Rome 1707. Par HAENDEL GEORG FRIEDRICH. With his “La Bellezza ravveduta nel trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno” (“Beauty Reformed in the Triumph of Time and Enlightenment”), HWV 46a, the 22-year-old Handel notched up one of his greatest successes in this genre right at the very beginning of his oratorio oeuvre. Composed in Rome in 1707, the work was for a long time known as “Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno” (“The Triumph of Time and Enlightenment”). In keeping with the Halle Handel Edition, however, the title is that of the name given in the primary source. In many cases inspired by the melodically rich ideas of Reinhard Keiser (1674–1739), the work is unsurpassed by any other oratorio by Handel. At the end of an impressive sequence of truly captivating arias, duets and quartets, Bellezza’s reformation in favour of living a life pleasing to God is accompanied in incisive E major by her overwhelmingly beautiful, impossibly sad closing aria “Tu del ciel ministro eletto”, the consummate pinnacle of dramatic irony in Handel’s output. By virtue of its flawless dramatic structure as well – unlike many other oratorios and all operas of the Baroque period, the story never goes off at a tangent and all arias revolve around the dispute of the four dramatic personae – the oratorio has enjoyed long runs of widely acclaimed, mostly staged performances in the last few years./ Répertoire / Opéra

for String Orchestra Score and Parts. Par PROKOFIEV SERGEI / LATHAM LYNNE (Arr.). Otherwise known as the “Classical” symphony, Prokofiev utilized transparent textures and traditional form in this early masterpiece.The solo string quartet covers mostly woodwind and brass parts while the section strings play their original parts. There is an optional cut for those that don't wish to tackle the entire movement. An advanced ensemble will get valuable experience expanding range, expression and speed of bow and fingers!/ Répertoire / Orchestre à Cordes

Variations on a melody by Adriaen Valerius (1575-1625). Par SPARKE PHILIP. Dutch artist and poet Adriaen Valerius (c. 1575-1625) is mostly remembered today for his collection of 79 songs for voice and lute or cittern published posthumously in 1626. The melody used for this set of variations is Merck toch hoe sterck, whose words tell about the War of Independence with Spain. The melody originally derives from an English tune with the title: What if an houre or a moneth. The beautiful slow melody is followed by a series of lively variations to form an extremely entertaining piece that will bring great joy to all who perform and listen to it. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Arrangeur: Robert Rainford. Par BRUCH MAZ. 7 short, melodic pieces with chances for both soloists to shine. Max Bruch (1838-1920) was a German Romantic composer, conductor and teacher. A child prodigy, he composed his first pieces at the age of nine, and went on to hold musical posts in Mannheim, Berlin and Bonn. He also spent three seasons as conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Society. In his lifetime he was known mostly as a choral composer, but it is for his first violin concerto that he is chiefly remembered now. These dances were first published in 1892 for violin and piano, although Bruch later arranged them for solo piano, and also for orchestra. The slow, stately introduction leads in to seven dances in volume one, each a charming character study. Individual movements aredramatic, then tranquil: dance-like then reflective. The third, fifth and seventh movements have the feeling of folk-dances, while the others are more lyrical and expressive. Structurally the pieces are fairly simple, with melody sections flowing in to each other. Some ideas are developed into links and codas. In this arrangement, both solo players share the melodic material fairly evenly. Each has a solo movement to play, with the other movements featuring call and answer moments, harmony sections and contrapuntal elements to enjoy. Technically quite advanced, with the music covering the whole range of the instrument, these gems of pieces are well worth working on. / Niveau : Intermédiaire à Avancé / Répertoire / Flûte Traversière, Hautbois et Piano

Par HUMMEL BERTOLD. With the Eight Fragments Bertold Hummel has successfully created a most impressive work. Uncommonly concentrated in the evoking of atmosphere and reflecting the texts strongly, these 'dark grey songs' - to quote Ludwig Hirsch - develop a sadly expressive, almost somnambulant charm. These songs seem to have become Bertold Hummel's completely inwardly turned 'Winterreise', the epigram of a psychosis, full of concealed suggestion and dark references, but always more full of hope. The 'sun' becomes the constantly invoked bearer of hope. The music is highly expressive, exploiting the various performing and bowing possibilities of the stringed instruments and their capacity for nuances to the limits; occasionally oppressive visions in sound appear. It is music in danger, of a most fragile balance. Nor are subtle musical references missing. With only one note, following the word 'music', harmony and tonality are conjured up. / Date parution : 2007-11-20/ Répertoire / Baryton et Quatuor à Cordes