Floraison is a terrific 1975 composition by John McCabe from The Goddess Triloigy for Horn in F and Piano accompaniment. Floraison translates as 'flowering' or 'blossoming' and this piece depicts the flower maiden and love goddess Blodeuwedd ('bloom maiden') who is also an owl goddess. She was made up of nine kinds of flowers and in one pagan ritual her husband was sacrificed ascending after death into the skies in the form of an eagle. This composition is cast in the form of a passacaglia in which there are nine variations but perhaps more important than this is the initial image behind the piece which was that of a flower graduallyopening and then closing. This image governs the shape of the music with its increasingly elaborate and intense growth towards its climax and then a return at the close to the opening ideas.

Piano Sonata C major K. 309 (284b) Editor: Ernst Herttrich Fingering: Hans-Martin Theopold I wish to do it to reflect the character of Mad:selle Rose, Mozart replied when asked how he intended to set out the Andante of his Sonata in C major. In autumn 1777 he had got to know Rosina Cannabich in Mannheim and during her lessons immediately introduced her to the Sonata K. 309 that he had composed for her. Indeed, in December 1777 according to her teacher she was already able to perform it excellently. So that a great many other pupils might follow in her footsteps, we are now publishing this small gem that shows Mozart‘s great skill in composing for the piano as a single edition with a new preface by the editor; it was previously only available in the complete volumes (HN 1 and 3). FIRST MOVEMENT The first movement of the C major Sonata K 309 is a model teaching sonata form structure. With sonata forms, as with Bach fugues, no formal dogmas underlie the process of composition, but each sonata varies anew a basic principle. For Mozart, this entailed strict adherence to certain fundamental patterns without his creative freedom. In his sonata movements in major keys, for example he favoured a distinct second subject in the dominant as most contemporary composers did. Haydn, on the other hand, reveled in experiment at this point. A brief analysis may help to demonstrate Mozart's standard sonata allegro form and the first movement of it is an ideal example for such an investigation. The first subject is a distinctive, marcato opening followed by a five-bar response. The falling fourth and rising sixth of the opening is one of Mozart's favourite motifs, his common melodic device. He often uses it in the minor as well as the major, and many of his themes start with this motif (e.g. the second movement of the A major Sonata K 331, the Adagio in B minor K 540, and subjects in the Symphonies K 114, 124, 319/II and 551/II). The seven measures of the main theme are repeated, slightly varied. Measures 15 to 21 conclude the first subject group with an answering phrase (3+3 bars). The transition consists of new material and then, in measure 35 (after two measures of preparation comes a second cantabile theme, in the dominant (G major) comprising 2x4 bars, which is also repeated and proceeds to a spirited closing theme (concluding group) using passage-work (m. 43) and incorporating a delightful diminuation of measures 35 36 in measure 45. The exposition ends with a codetta of five bars. The development presents the opening motif first in g minor, and then the various ideas of the first subject are worked out. With this procedure Mozart is keeping much more closely to textbook principles than he usually does. Two further statements of the opening motif lead back to the recapitulation in measure 94. The second subject, now in the tonic, has surprisingly changed place with its accompaniment. The opening is recalled again in an effectively assertive coda. SECOND MOVEMENT The second movement of this sonata is an introspective Andante un poco adagio. In a letter Mozart stated his desire to make this Andante match the character of the young pianist Rosa Cannabich for whom he wrote it: ...she is a sweet, pretty girl, just like the andante. For her age she is sensible and level-headed; she is serious, and doesn't talk too much, though what she says is pleasing and sympathetic. THIRD MOVEMENT An elegant and smoothly flowing Rondo of unusually large proportions concludes this Sonata. Paul and Eva Badura-Skoda

This dynamic Easter hymn from the Getty writing group offers a truly impactful Celtic style for the celebration of Christ's resurrection. Joel Raney creatively sets up the opening with a hint of the traditional spiritual 'He Never Said A Mumblin' Word' leading into the opening statement 'How can it be the one who died has borne our sin through sacrifice to conquer every sting of death? Sing sing hallelujah!' The optional rhythm section and violin part brings it all to life in a lilting 6/8 high-energy presentation! Perfect for Easter or Eastertide.This dynamic Easter hymn from the Getty writing group offers a truly impactful Celtic style for the celebration of Christ's resurrection. Joel Raney creatively sets up the opening with a hint of the traditional spiritual 'He Never Said A Mumblin' Word' leading into the opening statement 'How can it be the one who died has borne our sin through sacrifice to conquer every sting of death? Sing sing hallelujah!' The optional rhythm section and violin part brings it all to life in a lilting 6/8 high-energy presentation! Perfect for Easter or Eastertide.

Par SAINT-SAENS CAMILLE. Camille Saint-Saëns composed this Romance, Op. 51, in 1877, originally in the key of D major for cello and piano. The form of the piece is relatively simple, opening with a lyrical melody over a repetitive and somewhat rhythmic accompaniment. The middle section modulates to the key of the flattened 6th scale degree (B-flat major), using this to arrive at the dominant chord, in which there are some pseudo cadenza-like moments. Following this, a return to the opening melody with a slightly modified accompaniment, and subsequently a brief coda. To better accommodate the bass clarinet, the entire piece has been transposed up a half-step from the original version into a morecomfortable key of E-flat major. Additionally, for much of the piece, the solo part has been lowered by an octave, as to make the piece generally more accessible to students. Should there be a desire to hear the piece more in the range of the original version, one could simply play it on a standard B-flat clarinet to achieve this effect. Though only about four minutes in length, this relatively short vignette captures much of the true essence of Saint-Saëns, not only through the harmonic progressions and accompanimental figures used, but also demonstrating his gift of turning a 'simple' melody into something extraordinary. Camille Saint-Saëns composed this Romance, Op. 51, in 1877, originally in the key of D major for cello and piano. The form of the piece is relatively simple, opening with a lyrical melody over a repetitive and somewhat rhythmic accompaniment. The middle section modulates to the key of the flattened 6th scale degree (B-flat major), using this to arrive at the dominant chord, in which there are some pseudo cadenza-like moments. Following this, a return to the opening melody with a slightly modified accompaniment, and subsequently a brief coda. To better accommodate the bass clarinet, the entire piece has been transposed up a half-step from the original version into a morecomfortable key of E-flat major. Additionally, for much of the piece, the solo part has been lowered by an octave, as to make the piece generally more accessible to students. Should there be a desire to hear the piece more in the range of the original version, one could simply play it on a standard B-flat clarinet to achieve this effect. Though only about four minutes in length, this relatively short vignette captures much of the true essence of Saint-Saëns, not only through the harmonic progressions and accompanimental figures used, but also demonstrating his gift of turning a 'simple' melody into something extraordinary./ Répertoire / Clarinette Basse et Piano

Francis Pott’s My song is love unknown sets all of Samuel Crossman’s famous verses but one (commonly omitted when the poem is sung metrically as a hymn). The music begins with offbeat repeated chords prompted—not inappropriately—by the opening to Richard Strauss’s tone poem  Death and transfiguration. In its early stages only trebles and altos are heard. The sequential flow of Crossman’s poem is soon disrupted with particular dramatic ends in mind. After a seemingly anxious harmonic distortion of the opening chords the word ‘crucify’ arises initially as a mere mutter from the lowervoices so timed as to afford assonance with other words in the upper parts and thus remain barely discernible as if only imagined. In due course however cries of ‘Hosanna’ find themselves on a collision course with a rising tide of ‘Crucify’ during which the ‘Hosanna’ faction gradually loses heart and sheep-like defects until a single treble voice—plaintively daring to repeat the ‘offending’ word—is swept aside by a murderous outcry. In due course ‘Crucify’ recurs as a further angry climax before the opening music returns this time expanding into an extended polyphonic final section for double choir and SATB soloists. The principal climax of the work subsides into a form of epilogue crowned sorrowfully by a treble soloist to whom the music in toto has by now presented many challenges. The anthem ends in the key and mood of its opening. The character of its demanding organ part reflects the possibility that it may one day be orchestrated.   My song is love unknown was composed in memory of Michael Renton a craftsman and largely self-taught ‘Renaissance’ man who was not only a member of the Winchester cathedral congregation but also the cathedral’s stonemason. He was beloved of many in the Cathedral community; a true and

for Woodwind Quintet-These two extraordinary works of late Mozart KV 594 and KV 608 were both composed to fulfill a commission for a memorial exhibit in Vienna to be played in a “mechanical clock organ.” The term “fantasy” or“fantasia” came to be affixed to these works later and is more descriptive and less cumbersome than the term Mozart listed in his own catalogue “Ein Stüke für ein Orgelwerk in ein Uhr.” They are also variouslytitled “Adagio und Allegro in f für ein Orgelwerk” and “Allegro und Andante (Fantasie in f) für eine Orgelwaltze.”The first of these composed between the monumental String Quintet in D and the Piano Concertoin Bb KV 595 is an A-B-A form comprised of an f minor Adagio opening and closing with a contrapuntal Allegro at its heart. KV 608 is more complicated opening with an f minor section reminiscent of a French Overture followed by a fugue in fminor then an Andante aria followed by a return to the opening and then a more complex version of the fugue.Despite the frustration that Mozart expressed (in a letter to Constanze) with the sound world of these mechanical devices KV 594and 608 are remarkable works which stand at an intersection incorporating what he learned about counterpoint studying at the foot of Bach while looking ahead to the emotional and harmonic poignancy of Schubert.

Piano Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra (2009) by Poul Ruders.Commissioned by The Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Jerome Lowenthal. Solo Piano part: WH31129CProgramme Note In this day and age when faced with the challenge of writing a 'Piano Concerto' e.g. a piece for symphony orchestra and an all-dominating and virtuosic solo Piano part one has two options: either: DO or do NOT go for it wholesale exploiting and enjoying the conrnucopia of sonorous treasures offered by the combination of the orchestra and the 'Grand Piano'. I have opted to go for it. When writing forone of our great young international Piano stars it would be absurd and a waste to do anything less and only 'nibble at the goodies'.However the piece is not a big clunky 'machine'. Rather it is a transparently orchestrated neo-classic (for the lack of a better work) composition in three movements lastign approximately 25 minutes.The piece begins with a moderately paced opening in which the Piano gradually gathers momentum and strength beginning with the most gentle of motifs. In this movement the soloist and orchestra fo not always agree and the vigilant listener will observe the disparity between the two. Following a swift up-beat coda the movement stops almost in mid-breath on one of the gentle Piano chords taken from the very opening.The extreme simplicity of the second movement 'Semplice' (the opening Piano solo bears the marking: 'slightly hesitant - like a child practicing') is after having been joined by the Vibraphone Harp and solo Violin suddenly violated with unprecedented brutality by the rest of the orchestra which virtually 'lies in wait - panting to pounce'. But eventually calm and order is restored.The finale is a crazy rondo of sorts. The marking 'Avanti Risoluto' (Forward with Resolve) is a bit of an understatement. It is a full throttle no hold barred ride -

A Bandsman’s Overture was commissioned by British Bandsman magazine to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2012. It was premiered by Black Dyke Band conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs at a special anniversary concert held in Symphony Hall Birmingham on July 1st.British Bandsman was for a period known as British Bandsman and Contest Field following an amalgamation of two magazines. The then owner John Henry Iles celebrated this new title by commissioning Ord Hume to write the famous march BB & CF. As a salute to this heritage A Bandsman’s Overture starts with the four notes B(b)-B(b)-C-F a motive which permeates an opening fanfare which contrasts a busy opening with a more legato central section. This gives way to a bustling Vivo based on repeated staccato notes. A change of key heralds a central cantabile melody first on euphoniums and baritone and then played by the full band which is followed by a short development section. This leads to a transformed reprise and a return of the opening fanfare decorated this time by florid muted cornets.

This piece was commissioned by the ‘Concert Band Vlamertinge’ and is a plea for peace: the title translates as ‘Peace on Earth’. This is expressed by means of the vocal contribution expected from the performers. In various places of the piece you can recognize the words ‘Et In Terra Pax’ - an appeal for peace - at first jumbled together but later more rhythmically structured developing into synchronized massed voices.The work starts with a pentatonic theme based on the notes D E G A and C (taken from ‘ConCErtbAnD VlAmErtinGE’ and the name of the conductor NiCk VAnDEnDriessChe). A somewhat sad melody is developed during an orchestral climax which leads to the firstexplosion of sound (measure 62 onwards). Suddenly the opening measures are recaptured albeit with a differently colored sound: the words ‘Et In Terra Pax’ bring the first movement to a close. A restless Allegro follows which abruptly stops and is replaced by a calming cho-rale-like passage. A narrator reads aloud the poem ‘Sonnet’ by the young poet Charles Hamilton Sorley who was killed during World War I. This poem fittingly puts into words the cruelty and senselessness of war. After the expanded recapitulation of the allegro the broad almost infinite atmosphere of the beginning returns. Clarinet and English horn play the pentatonic opening theme once more this time broadly while the words ‘Et In Terra... Pax’ are repeated again and again by the rest of the orchestra.The composer has purposely avoided all forms of aggression and bombastic sounds regularly used in works about war. Fear of violence and destruction can be heard and felt during the allegro passages. The charged opening makes way in the end for hope: May peacefulness replace cruelty in everyday life too.

This evocative solo piano piece looks back as though in some troubled dream to fragments of Purcell and Tippett. The widely spaced opening notes are interrupted after only eight bars by a quick and relentlessly turbulent passage. A brief reference to the opening of Tippett's Fourth Symphony leads into a slower more expressive section; a predominantly mysterious even glassy sound world from which emerges the poignant notes of Dido's Lament from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas now at last momentarily in its correct juxtaposition. Finally a tiny fragment of the music is spun obsessively until it falls out of control and back into the carefully placed notes of the opening.

The title and scope is not new but the message and the desire of the composer is clear. It is mainly that music can solve problems and can plead for peace in the whole world. Musically Peace for the World is a brief opening work with a fanfare-like opening followed by a melodious middle part and a end that refers to the opening.

Piano Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra (2009) by Poul Ruders. Piano Solo and Orchestral Reduction.Dedicated Becky Starobin. Written for Vassily Primakov. Commissioned by The Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Jerome Lowenthal. Programme Note In this day and age when faced with the challenge of writing a 'Piano Concerto' e.g. a piece for symphony orchestra and an all-dominating and virtuosic solo Piano part one has two options: either: DO or do NOT go for it wholesale exploiting and enjoying the conrnucopia of sonoroustreasures offered by the combination of the orchestra and the 'Grand Piano'. I have opted to go for it. When writing for one of our great young international Piano stars it would be absurd and a waste to do anything less and only 'nibble at the goodies'.However the piece is not a big clunky 'machine'. Rather it is a transparently orchestrated neo-classic (for the lack of a better work) composition in three movements lastign approximately 25 minutes.The piece begins with a moderately paced opening in which the Piano gradually gathers momentum and strength beginning with the most gentle of motifs. In this movement the soloist and orchestra fo not always agree and the vigilant listener will observe the disparity between the two. Following a swift up-beat coda the movement stops almost in mid-breath on one of the gentle Piano chords taken from the very opening.The extreme simplicity of the second movement 'Semplice' (the opening Piano solo bears the marking: 'slightly hesitant - like a child practicing') is after having been joined by the Vibraphone Harp and solo Violin suddenly violated with unprecedented brutality by the rest of the orchestra which virtually 'lies in wait - panting to pounce'. But eventually calm and order is restored.The finale is a crazy rondo of sorts.