Easy Klezmer Tunes was created in response to many requests for a simplified version of Stacy Phillips' highly acclaimed "Klezmer Collection". Phillips has compiled a selection of pieces for beginning instrumentalists from that classic book. Klezmer music originally came from the Jewish ghettoes of Eastern Europe of the 19th and early 20th Centuries. The style reflects its mix of heritages from Europe, Near East and Gypsy. These arrangements are based on some of the earliest classic recordings in Europe and America. As such, they are a great introduction to this music which is now a world-wide phenomenon. Each number is arranged for C, Bb, Eb and Bass Clef instruments. Brass, Reed, Piano, Flute and String players can receive instant gratification from these entry level arrangements. The accompanying audio demonstrates ensemble versions of all the music, performed at slow tempos, by world class Klezmer artists on Clarinet, Violin, Guitar and Bass. Includes access to online audio.

Jouni Kaipainen's String Quartet No. 6 'The Terror Run' Op. 92. Commissioned by the BBC Radio for the Proms concerts 2010. Dedicated to the Meta4 Quartet. Parts available: WH31197A Programme note: My former experience in writing string quartets has made me used to the idea that a piece of mine in this genre lasts close to half an hour and consists of several movements with different characters. This time the commission clearly stated a duration of 12 minutes and this naturally brought about lots of thinking and orientating. Eventually I luckily found out that I actually can alter mybasic “string quartet philosophy” so that such a short piece became an existing option. In the music itself there is nothing very much to explain. The quartet is for the most part quite lively flowing music in fast tempi. In the very beginning there is something haunting in the atmosphere but soon joyful for the most part delicately light at times maybe also “dance-like” characters take over.  But in terms of dramaturgy   the music has a tendency to grow more weighty and harsh and these quasi-violent elements gradually threaten the sunny unproblematic flow. Closer to the end we come to a point where nothing is easy anymore. This brings about a slow section of quite different nature and after that the former hilarious swing tries to make a comeback – but does not really succeed. The run goes on but the overtones are now more shadowy and the mood on the scary side. The subtitle comes from the novel The Camomile Lawn (1984) by Mary Wesley of which Ken Taylor made a wonderful TV series adaptation for Channel 4 (1992) where a marvellous casting of great actors supports the colourful beautiful and delightful story. In this novel young Sophie (gorgeously played by the 10-year-old Rebecca Hall) has eagerly waited for her older cousins to arrive to her aunt’s house at the