SKU: BT.DHP-1135396-120

9x12 inches. English-Dutch.

This musical fantasy depicts the history of the Dutch fortified town of Elburg. The work begins with an atmospheric medieval picture of the Convent of St Agnes, the nunnery that was built in the first half of the 15th century. We hear the sound of the convent bells together with an upward motif, which will reappear later in the work. Next, the rest of Elburg is featured, including the fortress - from which the bells of the Sint-Nicolaaskerk (Saint Nicholas Church) are ringing. Then, cheerful sounds can be heard at the Vischpoort (Fish Gate), where a dancing group is performing a 16th century French folk dance (a branle des chevaux). We also hear old wagons rumbling over the town’scobble stones. Trade made this Hanseatic town a lively place. The repetitive upward motif first heard in the introduction now develops into a more distinct feature, reflecting the mercantile spirit of the town residents.Then follows the slow middle movement, in which the clock has been turned back to the time when Elburg was still lying on the Zuiderzee (which was a bay of the North Sea), and was struggling with floods. After the second St. Marcellus Flood (1362) and the water flood of 1367 it was decided that the town would be relocated. We now hear the theme of branle des chevaux in a minor key, followed by a death bell sounding in remembrance of the drowned citizens of the former town. Back in our own time, a slow, expressive theme in Baroque style mirrors Elburg’s tranquil places, such as the Feithenhof (Feithen Court) and the Weduwenhofje (Widow Court). Then the bustle returns with motifs from the introduction, followed by an attractive theme in which present-day Elburg is portrayed with its many tourists. Now, suddenly, there is an echo from the past, depicting the dramatic floods and wars that once plagued the town. This leads to the grand closing theme: branle des chevaux is heard for a final time from the perspective of the historic town centre.

Deze muzikale fantasie vertelt de geschiedenis van de Nederlandse vestingstad Elburg. Het werk begint met een middeleeuws sfeerbeeld vanuit het Agnietenklooster, het nonnenklooster dat in de eerste helft van de 15e eeuw werd gebouwd. We horen de kloosterklok samen met een opwaarts motief, dat ook later in het werk terugkomt. Vervolgens komt de rest van Elburg aan bod, inclusief de vesting - van waaruit de klokken van de Grote of Sint-Nicolaaskerk weergalmen. Dan klinken bij de Vischpoort de vrolijke geluiden van een dansgroep die daar een 16e-eeuwse Franse volksdans (branle des chevaux) uitvoert. Ook horen we oude karren over de kinderkopjes van de stad denderen. Dehandel maakt deze Hanzestad tot een levendige plaats. Het zich steeds herhalende opwaartse motief uit de inleiding krijgt hier een nadrukkelijker karakter en verbeeldt de handelsgeest van de stedelingen.Dan volgt het langzame middendeel, waarin de klok wordt teruggedraaid naar de tijd dat Elburg nog direct aan de Zuiderzee lag en te kampen had met overstromingen. Na de tweede Sint-Marcellusvloed (1362) en de watervloed van 1367 werd besloten dat de stad verplaatst zou worden. We horen het thema van de branle des chevaux in mineur, gevolgd door een doodsklok, die de verdronken inwoners van de voormalige stad herdenkt. Terug in onze eigen tijd verklankt een langzaam, expressief thema in barokke stijl de verstilde plekken in de stad, zoals het Feithenhof en het Weduwenhofje. Dan keert de levendigheid terug met motieven uit de inleiding, gevolgd door een aansprekend thema waarin het Elburg van nu met zijn vele toeristen doorklinkt. Plotseling is er dan nog even een echo uit het verleden: de dramatiek van de overstromingen en oorlogen die de stad ooit teisterden. Hieruit vloeit het grootse slotthema voort: de branle des chevaux is voor de laatste keer te horen vanuit het perspectief van de historische binnenstad.

SKU: CA.729900

ISBN 9790007241759. Language: English. Text: Asgrimsson, Eystein.

Whilst studying medieval Christian literature, Wolfram Buchenberg came across the 14th century Icelandic poem Lilja which fascinated him. He sets six of the total of 100 verses, here in a 19th century English translation. His composition expresses the powerful language of the text in ecstatic fashion.

SKU: MN.56-0102

UPC: 688670221170. English.

Originally conceived for the ensemble Enchanted Voices, these carols for SSA voices and organ (or piano) represent the composer’s desire for the tunes and texts to be heard in a new and fresh way. Largely contemplative, sometimes set against a gently-undulating foundation, these work well for concert and church use. Sometimes ethereal, sometimes other-worldly, the pieces succeed in bringing together the ancient purity of the medieval past and the here and now. Duration 5:15.

SKU: CA.336570

ISBN 9790007244040. Language: Spanish.

El barreño (The basin) is a folkloric dance which is found in various countries in Central America such as El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. It is said to have originated in the 18th century in Cuscatlán, one of the provinces of El Salvador. The accurate name of the dance is not clear, and 'barreño' refers to 'barrio' (neighborhood) where this dance became very popular. This dance, reminiscent of the medieval traditions, develops around elements of courtship and fl irtation which are refl ected in the choreography. The choral version published in this edition stresses the rhythmic fi gures and syncopations typical of this dance.

SKU: MN.56-0091

UPC: 688670220197. Latin.

Originally conceived for the ensemble Enchanted Voices, these carols for SSA voices and organ (or piano) represent the composer’s desire for the tunes and texts to be heard in a new and fresh way. Largely contemplative, sometimes set against a gently-undulating foundation, these work well for concert and church use. Sometimes ethereal, sometimes other-worldly, the pieces succeed in bringing together the ancient purity of the medieval past and the here and now. Duration 2:57.

SKU: B7.B495

8.5x11 inches.

La Sonata modello The Template Sonata for solo piano by Howard J. Buss is dedicated to pianist James Helton. The music traverses a wide rage of moods and sonic atmospheres. The composer designed a template of meter changes derived from the numerical series in mathematics codified by the medieval Italian mathematician, Leonardo Fibonacci. In this adaptation of the Fibonacci sequence each number represents a quarter note and is expressed in the succession of meters 4/4, 3/4, 5/4, 4/4, 4/4, 5/4, 3/4, 5/4, 4/4, 4/4, 4/4, 4/4, and 5/4. This series of measures is repeated throughout the work. While each 13-bar segment implies that the music fits into a particular metrical scheme, the composer exerts independence in a variety of ways, such as with phrasing that sometimes ignores the underlying structure. Buss states: This metrical template was at times useful, but often seemed arbitrary and counter to the thrust and development of the musical material. My challenge was to find a way to work with the template while using its rigidity to spark creative solutions. Although the music evolves within the template, my ultimate goal was that the listener be unaware of the structural underpinnings and simply enjoy the beauty of the music..