SKU: HL.49006356
ISBN 9790001068871. 8.25x12.0x0.088 inches.
The European Hymn is the hymn not only of the European Union but of Europe in a broader sense. The melody has been taken from the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven from 1823.In the last movement of this symphony Beethoven set music to the 'Ode to Joy' by Friedrich von Schiller from 1785. This poem sprang from Schiller's idealistic vision of men who become brothers - a vision Beethoven shared with him.In 1972 the Council of Europe adopted Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' as its anthem. The well-known conductor Herbert von Karajan was commissioned to arrange three instrumental versions - for solo piano, wind orchestra and symphony orchestra. Without words, in the universal language of music, the anthem is an expression of the idealistic values of freedom, peace and solidarity which Europe stands for.In 1985 the heads of state and government adopted the hymn as the EU's official anthem. It does not replace the national anthems of the member states, but rather celebrates common values as well as unity in diversity.The score of this offical anthem is exclusively available from the Schott publishing house.
SKU: CA.2045349
ISBN 9790007249366. Language: German.
This composition survives in the sources as a wedding song, even though the occasion it was written for is not known. It is stylistically close to the Symphoniae sacrae I, sharing its exquisite scoring with the last composition in the set (Bucinate in neomenia tuba/Jubilate Deo) with concertante instrumental parts for cornett and trumpet (or two cornetts). The text, taken from Proverbs, has an opening verse in triple meter which recurs in the middle (shortened) and at the end of the composition in the style of a ritornello, then commonly found in Italy. This verse ends with a characteristically dissonant transition for the upper instrumental parts to the final chord - as the key message of the composition. Score and part available separately - see item CA.2045300.
SKU: OU.9780193388260
ISBN 9780193388260. 12 x 9 inches.
Reduction for two pianos of Vaughan Williams's earliest known piece for solo instrument with orchestra, written 1896-1904, and rediscovered in 2010. Showing influences of late 19th-century composers, but also hallmarks of Vaughan Williams's later style, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the composer's development.