Movements From The Overtures

SKU: HL.49001713

ISBN 9790001023405. 9.0x12.0x0.513 inches.

The comedy The Married Beau, or the Curious Impertinent by John Crowne is based on an episode from the first part of Miguel Cervantes' novel Don Quixote. Purcell's theatre music consists of nine movements. Three movements, Air, Trumpet Air and March, are based on triad arpeggios (fanfares following the music for brass instruments). Purcell shows the manifold possibilities offered by this simple material. Special attention should be given to the Hornpipe upon a ground showing once again Purcell's skill to combine various forms with each other.

SKU: HL.49001712

ISBN 9790001023399. 9.0x12.0x0.098 inches.

The comedy The Married Beau, or the Curious Impertinent by John Crowne is based on an episode from the first part of Miguel Cervantes' novel Don Quixote. Purcell's theatre music consists of nine movements. Three movements, Air, Trumpet Air and March, are based on triad arpeggios (fanfares following the music for brass instruments). Purcell shows the manifold possibilities offered by this simple material. Special attention should be given to the Hornpipe upon a ground showing once again Purcell's skill to combine various forms with each other.

SKU: FJ.ST6130S

English.

Directo rs across the country have come to expect fine transcriptions from Robert D. McCashin. This delightful arrangement from Christoph W. Gluck's ballet suite Don Juan is no exception. Drawing on material from the overture and two additional movements of the original seven, this suite is an excellent choice for the classical portion of your program.

About FJH String Orchestra

More emphasis on bow technique and independence of lines. For the accomplished middle, high school, college, or professional group. Grade 3 and up

SKU: FJ.ST6130

UPC: 674398222445. English.

Directors across the country have come to expect fine transcriptions from Robert D. McCashin. This delightful arrangement from Christoph W. Gluck's ballet suite Don Juan is no exception. Drawing on material from the overture and two additional movements of the original seven, this suite is an excellent choice for the classical portion of your program.

About FJH String Orchestra

More emphasis on bow technique and independence of lines. For the accomplished middle, high school, college, or professional group. Grade 3 and up

SKU: BT.DHP-1064079-020

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dut ch.

The Golden Age is a programmatic composition in four movements. I Overture For the Netherlands, the seventeenth century was a period of great flourishing in the fields of economy, culture and politics; thus it is called the Golden Age. Overseas trade boomed, and the Dutch East India Company (known as the VOC by the Dutch) was founded and expanded to become a powerful -and, at the time - modern enterprise. II ¡Adiós españoles!(Farewel l, Spaniards!) In 1567, the Spanish army invaded, led by the Duke of Alva. There was a fierce resistance against the Spanish tyranny; toward the end of the sixteenth century, the Dutch proclaimed theRepublic. However, the Spanish continued the war. Only with the Treaty of Münster in 1648 did the Dutch get their much sought-after independence. This was also the end of the Eighty Years’ War. III Rembrandt’s Night WatchThe field of culture, particularly literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, the art of printing, and cartography developed fast. It was in the Golden Age that the celebrated painter Rembrandt van Rijn created his famous Night Watch. IV The Admiral Overseas trade entailed the colonization of large areas in Asia, from where precious products that yielded lots of money were brought in. Surrounding countries were also involved in such practices. Colonizers poached on each other’s territories in the literal and figurative sense - in this context the Anglo-Dutch Sea Wars are legendary. The fourth movement starts with the English patriotic song Rule Britannia, after which the Dutch Admiral Michiel de Ruyter makes the English change their tune; one can even hear the roaring of cannons. When the smoke of battle has cleared, a small fragment of a Dutch song about Michiel de Ruyter appears, followed by a fitting closing.

The Golden Age is een programmatische compositie in vier delen. Overtureverklankt de Gouden Eeuw, voor Nederland een periode van grote bloei. Dan volgt ¡Adiós españoles! over het einde van de Tachtigjarige Oorlog.Rembrandtâ€⠄¢s Night Watch beschrijft de ontwikkeling op cultureel gebied: in de Gouden Eeuw schilderde Rembrandt van Rijn zijn beroemde Nachtwacht. Deel vier, The Admiral, begint met Rule Britannia,waarna de Nederlandse admiraal Michiel de Ruyter de Engelsen een toontje lager laat zingen, er is zelfs kanongebulder te horen. Dan klinkt een fragment van het Nederlandse liedje dat aan Michiel de Ruyter is gewijd, waarna een passendslot volgt.

The Golden Age ist eine programmatische Komposition in vier Sätzen über das so genannte “Goldene Zeitalter“ in der Geschichte der Niederlande. In dieser Periode erlebte das Land eine Blütezeit des (Übersee-)Handels, der Kultur und Politik, es befreite sich von der spanischen Herrschaft, brachte Kunstwerke wie Rembrandt’s Nachtwache hervor und entwickelte sich zu einer Kolonialmacht. Die Aufmerksamkeit der Zuhörer ist bei Kees Schoonenbeeks spannender musikalischer Geschichtsstunde garantiert!

Aprà¨s une guerre qui dura 80 ans, l'Espagne reconnut finalement l'indépendance des Provinces-Unies néerlandaises, qui devinrent alors l’une des plus importantes puissances maritimes et économiques du XVIIe siècle. Cette période est connue sous le nom de Siècle d’or (The Golden Age) et correspond une phase de développement exceptionnel des Pays-Bas tant sur le plan colonial et militaire que sur le plan culturel, intellectuel et artistique.

Dopo una guerra che durò 80 anni, la Spagna riconobbe l’indipendenza delle Province-Unite olandesi che divennero potenze marittime ed economiche del XVII secolo. Questo periodo è conosciuto con il nome di Secolo d’Oro (The Golden Age) e corrisponde ad una fase di sviluppo eccezionale dei Paesi Bassi sia sul piano coloniale e militare, sia sul piano culturale, intellettuale e artistico.

SKU: KN.37215S

UPC: 822795372151.

This arrangement combines two short movements from Handel's Concerto Grosso to make a miniature Baroque overture. It begins with a short, majestic section, continues on with a longer, lively contrapuntal part, and ends with a hint of the stately beginning. Packed with excitement and learning opportunities, the themes are presented in all the parts. This audience pleaser is an excellent choice for a concert opener. Duration 3:05.

SKU: BT.DHP-1064079-120

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dut ch.

The Golden Age is a programmatic composition in four movements. I Overture For the Netherlands, the seventeenth century was a period of great flourishing in the fields of economy, culture and politics; thus it is called the Golden Age. Overseas trade boomed, and the Dutch East India Company (known as the VOC by the Dutch) was founded and expanded to become a powerful -and, at the time - modern enterprise. II ¡Adiós españoles!(Farewel l, Spaniards!) In 1567, the Spanish army invaded, led by the Duke of Alva. There was a fierce resistance against the Spanish tyranny; toward the end of the sixteenth century, the Dutch proclaimed theRepublic. However, the Spanish continued the war. Only with the Treaty of Münster in 1648 did the Dutch get their much sought-after independence. This was also the end of the Eighty Years’ War. III Rembrandt’s Night WatchThe field of culture, particularly literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, the art of printing, and cartography developed fast. It was in the Golden Age that the celebrated painter Rembrandt van Rijn created his famous Night Watch. IV The Admiral Overseas trade entailed the colonization of large areas in Asia, from where precious products that yielded lots of money were brought in. Surrounding countries were also involved in such practices. Colonizers poached on each other’s territories in the literal and figurative sense - in this context the Anglo-Dutch Sea Wars are legendary. The fourth movement starts with the English patriotic song Rule Britannia, after which the Dutch Admiral Michiel de Ruyter makes the English change their tune; one can even hear the roaring of cannons. When the smoke of battle has cleared, a small fragment of a Dutch song about Michiel de Ruyter appears, followed by a fitting closing.

The Golden Age is een programmatische compositie in vier delen. Overtureverklankt de Gouden Eeuw, voor Nederland een periode van grote bloei. Dan volgt ¡Adiós españoles! over het einde van de Tachtigjarige Oorlog.Rembrandtâ€⠄¢s Night Watch beschrijft de ontwikkeling op cultureel gebied: in de Gouden Eeuw schilderde Rembrandt van Rijn zijn beroemde Nachtwacht. Deel vier, The Admiral, begint met Rule Britannia,waarna de Nederlandse admiraal Michiel de Ruyter de Engelsen een toontje lager laat zingen, er is zelfs kanongebulder te horen. Dan klinkt een fragment van het Nederlandse liedje dat aan Michiel de Ruyter is gewijd, waarna een passendslot volgt.

The Golden Age ist eine programmatische Komposition in vier Sätzen über das so genannte “Goldene Zeitalter“ in der Geschichte der Niederlande. In dieser Periode erlebte das Land eine Blütezeit des (Übersee-)Handels, der Kultur und Politik, es befreite sich von der spanischen Herrschaft, brachte Kunstwerke wie Rembrandt’s Nachtwache hervor und entwickelte sich zu einer Kolonialmacht. Die Aufmerksamkeit der Zuhörer ist bei Kees Schoonenbeeks spannender musikalischer Geschichtsstunde garantiert!

Aprà¨s une guerre qui dura 80 ans, l'Espagne reconnut finalement l'indépendance des Provinces-Unies néerlandaises, qui devinrent alors l’une des plus importantes puissances maritimes et économiques du XVIIe siècle. Cette période est connue sous le nom de Siècle d’or (The Golden Age) et correspond une phase de développement exceptionnel des Pays-Bas tant sur le plan colonial et militaire que sur le plan culturel, intellectuel et artistique.

Dopo una guerra che durò 80 anni, la Spagna riconobbe l’indipendenza delle Province-Unite olandesi che divennero potenze marittime ed economiche del XVII secolo. Questo periodo è conosciuto con il nome di Secolo d’Oro (The Golden Age) e corrisponde ad una fase di sviluppo eccezionale dei Paesi Bassi sia sul piano coloniale e militare, sia sul piano culturale, intellettuale e artistico.

SKU: BT.DHP-1064079-140

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dut ch.

The Golden Age is a programmatic composition in four movements. I Overture For the Netherlands, the seventeenth century was a period of great flourishing in the fields of economy, culture and politics; thus it is called the Golden Age. Overseas trade boomed, and the Dutch East India Company (known as the VOC by the Dutch) was founded and expanded to become a powerful -and, at the time - modern enterprise. II ¡Adiós españoles!(Farewel l, Spaniards!) In 1567, the Spanish army invaded, led by the Duke of Alva. There was a fierce resistance against the Spanish tyranny; toward the end of the sixteenth century, the Dutch proclaimed theRepublic. However, the Spanish continued the war. Only with the Treaty of Münster in 1648 did the Dutch get their much sought-after independence. This was also the end of the Eighty Years’ War. III Rembrandt’s Night WatchThe field of culture, particularly literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, the art of printing, and cartography developed fast. It was in the Golden Age that the celebrated painter Rembrandt van Rijn created his famous Night Watch. IV The Admiral Overseas trade entailed the colonization of large areas in Asia, from where precious products that yielded lots of money were brought in. Surrounding countries were also involved in such practices. Colonizers poached on each other’s territories in the literal and figurative sense - in this context the Anglo-Dutch Sea Wars are legendary. The fourth movement starts with the English patriotic song Rule Britannia, after which the Dutch Admiral Michiel de Ruyter makes the English change their tune; one can even hear the roaring of cannons. When the smoke of battle has cleared, a small fragment of a Dutch song about Michiel de Ruyter appears, followed by a fitting closing.

The Golden Age is een programmatische compositie in vier delen. Overtureverklankt de Gouden Eeuw, voor Nederland een periode van grote bloei. Dan volgt ¡Adiós españoles! over het einde van de Tachtigjarige Oorlog.Rembrandtâ€⠄¢s Night Watch beschrijft de ontwikkeling op cultureel gebied: in de Gouden Eeuw schilderde Rembrandt van Rijn zijn beroemde Nachtwacht. Deel vier, The Admiral, begint met Rule Britannia,waarna de Nederlandse admiraal Michiel de Ruyter de Engelsen een toontje lager laat zingen, er is zelfs kanongebulder te horen. Dan klinkt een fragment van het Nederlandse liedje dat aan Michiel de Ruyter is gewijd, waarna een passendslot volgt.

The Golden Age ist eine programmatische Komposition in vier Sätzen über das so genannte “Goldene Zeitalter“ in der Geschichte der Niederlande. In dieser Periode erlebte das Land eine Blütezeit des (Übersee-)Handels, der Kultur und Politik, es befreite sich von der spanischen Herrschaft, brachte Kunstwerke wie Rembrandt’s Nachtwache hervor und entwickelte sich zu einer Kolonialmacht. Die Aufmerksamkeit der Zuhörer ist bei Kees Schoonenbeeks spannender musikalischer Geschichtsstunde garantiert!

Aprà¨s une guerre qui dura 80 ans, l'Espagne reconnut finalement l'indépendance des Provinces-Unies néerlandaises, qui devinrent alors l’une des plus importantes puissances maritimes et économiques du XVIIe siècle. Cette période est connue sous le nom de Siècle d’or (The Golden Age) et correspond une phase de développement exceptionnel des Pays-Bas tant sur le plan colonial et militaire que sur le plan culturel, intellectuel et artistique.

Dopo una guerra che durò 80 anni, la Spagna riconobbe l’indipendenza delle Province-Unite olandesi che divennero potenze marittime ed economiche del XVII secolo. Questo periodo è conosciuto con il nome di Secolo d’Oro (The Golden Age) e corrisponde ad una fase di sviluppo eccezionale dei Paesi Bassi sia sul piano coloniale e militare, sia sul piano culturale, intellettuale e artistico.

SKU: YM.GTP01096648

ISBN 9784636966480.

15 famous melorides by composers in first Viennese school arranged for children. The purpuse of this book is NOT to study piano technique, but to touch the sound of each era through the historical masterpieces.
15Shou Zhu Ming Zuo Pin Zhuan Wei Shao Er Bian Pei Ban Ben . Ben Shu De Mu De Bing Fei Gang Qin Ji Qiao Jiao Xue . Er Shi Yong Er Duo Qu Qin Shen Gan Shou Mei Ge Shi Qi Yin Le De Te Dian .

Haydn: 1. Piano Sonata Op.30/1 - 1st movement; 2. Serenade from String Quartet Op.3/5 - 2nd movement; 3. Symphony Surprise - 2nd movement; 4. Symphony Clock - 2nd movement; 5. Trumpet Concerto No.1 - 3rd movement Mozart: 6. Turkish March; 7. Piano Concert KV 488 - 2nd movement; 8-9. Eine kleine Nachtmusic - 1st and 2nd movements; 10. Overture to The Magic Flute Beethoven: 11. Piano Sonata Moonlight Op.27/2 - 2nd movement; 12. Piano Sonata Appaccionata Op.57 - 1st movement; Symphony No.5 Op.67 - 1st movement; Symphony No.6 Op.68 - 1st movement; Symphony No.9 Op.125 - 4th movement.

SKU: BT.DHP-1064079-010

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dut ch.

The Golden Age is a programmatic composition in four movements. I Overture For the Netherlands, the seventeenth century was a period of great flourishing in the fields of economy, culture and politics; thus it is called the Golden Age. Overseas trade boomed, and the Dutch East India Company (known as the VOC by the Dutch) was founded and expanded to become a powerful -and, at the time - modern enterprise. II ¡Adiós españoles!(Farewel l, Spaniards!) In 1567, the Spanish army invaded, led by the Duke of Alva. There was a fierce resistance against the Spanish tyranny; toward the end of the sixteenth century, the Dutch proclaimed theRepublic. However, the Spanish continued the war. Only with the Treaty of Münster in 1648 did the Dutch get their much sought-after independence. This was also the end of the Eighty Years’ War. III Rembrandt’s Night WatchThe field of culture, particularly literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, the art of printing, and cartography developed fast. It was in the Golden Age that the celebrated painter Rembrandt van Rijn created his famous Night Watch. IV The Admiral Overseas trade entailed the colonization of large areas in Asia, from where precious products that yielded lots of money were brought in. Surrounding countries were also involved in such practices. Colonizers poached on each other’s territories in the literal and figurative sense - in this context the Anglo-Dutch Sea Wars are legendary. The fourth movement starts with the English patriotic song Rule Britannia, after which the Dutch Admiral Michiel de Ruyter makes the English change their tune; one can even hear the roaring of cannons. When the smoke of battle has cleared, a small fragment of a Dutch song about Michiel de Ruyter appears, followed by a fitting closing.

The Golden Age is een programmatische compositie in vier delen. Overtureverklankt de Gouden Eeuw, voor Nederland een periode van grote bloei. Dan volgt ¡Adiós españoles! over het einde van de Tachtigjarige Oorlog.Rembrandtâ€⠄¢s Night Watch beschrijft de ontwikkeling op cultureel gebied: in de Gouden Eeuw schilderde Rembrandt van Rijn zijn beroemde Nachtwacht. Deel vier, The Admiral, begint met Rule Britannia,waarna de Nederlandse admiraal Michiel de Ruyter de Engelsen een toontje lager laat zingen, er is zelfs kanongebulder te horen. Dan klinkt een fragment van het Nederlandse liedje dat aan Michiel de Ruyter is gewijd, waarna een passendslot volgt.

The Golden Age ist eine programmatische Komposition in vier Sätzen über das so genannte “Goldene Zeitalter“ in der Geschichte der Niederlande. In dieser Periode erlebte das Land eine Blütezeit des (Übersee-)Handels, der Kultur und Politik, es befreite sich von der spanischen Herrschaft, brachte Kunstwerke wie Rembrandt’s Nachtwache hervor und entwickelte sich zu einer Kolonialmacht. Die Aufmerksamkeit der Zuhörer ist bei Kees Schoonenbeeks spannender musikalischer Geschichtsstunde garantiert!

Aprà¨s une guerre qui dura 80 ans, l'Espagne reconnut finalement l'indépendance des Provinces-Unies néerlandaises, qui devinrent alors l’une des plus importantes puissances maritimes et économiques du XVIIe siècle. Cette période est connue sous le nom de Siècle d’or (The Golden Age) et correspond une phase de développement exceptionnel des Pays-Bas tant sur le plan colonial et militaire que sur le plan culturel, intellectuel et artistique.

Dopo una guerra che durò 80 anni, la Spagna riconobbe l’indipendenza delle Province-Unite olandesi che divennero potenze marittime ed economiche del XVII secolo. Questo periodo è conosciuto con il nome di Secolo d’Oro (The Golden Age) e corrisponde ad una fase di sviluppo eccezionale dei Paesi Bassi sia sul piano coloniale e militare, sia sul piano culturale, intellettuale e artistico.

SKU: HH.HH585-FSP

ISBN 9790708213000.

Stan ley Sadie’s opinion, expressed in 1963, that the two of the twelve trio sonatas by Frederick Ernest Fisher(1711/12–176 0), divided equally between Op. 1 (c.1751) and Op. 2 (c.1761), were ‘among the finest of their time’ while some of the others were ‘remarkably inventive and original’ almost sells this composer short. Every single one of these works, scored for two violins, cello and harpsichord, is masterly and deserves a permanent place in the repertoire. Born in or near Kassel, Fisher spent several years in Holland, teaching music from 1741 to 1745 at the university of Leiden, before emigrating to England. After spending about two years in London he settled permanently in Cambridge, where he taught music to members of the local music society. His Op. 1 set, dedicated to the same society, epitomizes the ‘social’ character of the trio sonata genre, where individual virtuosity yields its place to amicable interaction between the players. Fisher was a cellist as well as a violinist, and this background is brought out by the rare eloquence of his bass lines. The diversity of movement types in these ordinarily three-movement sonatas is very attractive. They include powerful fugues, expansive movements in sonata form, languorous middle movements reminiscent of those in operatic overtures and a selection of dance movements, all of which mix baroque, galant and classical elements in a convincing synthesis.

SKU: HH.HH584-FSP

ISBN 9790708185994.

Stan ley Sadie’s opinion, expressed in 1963, that the two of the twelve trio sonatas by Frederick Ernest Fisher(1711/12–176 0), divided equally between Op. 1 (c.1751) and Op. 2 (c.1761), were ‘among the finest of their time’ while some of the others were ‘remarkably inventive and original’ almost sells this composer short. Every single one of these works, scored for two violins, cello and harpsichord, is masterly and deserves a permanent place in the repertoire. Born in or near Kassel, Fisher spent several years in Holland, teaching music from 1741 to 1745 at the university of Leiden, before emigrating to England. After spending about two years in London he settled permanently in Cambridge, where he taught music to members of the local music society. His Op. 1 set, dedicated to the same society, epitomizes the ‘social’ character of the trio sonata genre, where individual virtuosity yields its place to amicable interaction between the players. Fisher was a cellist as well as a violinist, and this background is brought out by the rare eloquence of his bass lines. The diversity of movement types in these ordinarily three-movement sonatas is very attractive. They include powerful fugues, expansive movements in sonata form, languorous middle movements reminiscent of those in operatic overtures and a selection of dance movements, all of which mix baroque, galant and classical elements in a convincing synthesis.

SKU: PR.16400272S

UPC: 680160588442. 8.5 x 11 inches.

My third quartet is laid out in a three-movement structure, with each movement based on an early, middle, and late work of the great American impressionist painter Mary Cassatt. Although the movements are separate, with full-stop endings, the music is connected by a common scale-form, derived from the name MARY CASSATT, and by a recurring theme that introduces all three movements. I see this theme as Mary's Theme, a personality that stays intact while undergoing gradual change.   I The Bacchante (1876) [Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]   The painting shows a young girl of Italian or Spanish origin, playing a small pair of cymbals. Since Cassatt was trying very hard to fit in at the French Academy at the time, she painted a lot of these subjects, which were considered typical and universal. The style of the painting doesn't yet show Cassatt's originality, except perhaps for certain details in the face. Accordingly the music for this movement is Spanish/Italian, in a similar period-style but using the musical signature described above. The music begins with Mary's Theme, ruminative and slow, then abruptly changes to an alla Spagnola-type fast 3/4 - 6/8 meter. It evokes the Spanish-influenced music of Ravel and Falla.   Midway through, there's an accompanied recitative for the viola, which figures large in this particular movement, then back to a truncated recapitulation of the fast music. The overall feeling is of a well-made, rather conventional movement in a contemporary Spanish/Italian style. Cassatt's painting, too, is rather conventional.   II At the Opera (1880) [Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts]   This painting is one of Cassatt's most well known works, and it hangs in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The painting shows a woman alone in a box at the opera house, completely dressed (including gloves) and looking through opera glasses at someone or something that is NOT on the stage. Across the auditorium from her, but exactly at eye level, is a gentleman with opera glasses intently watching her - though it is not him that she's looking at. It's an intriguing picture.   This movement is far less conventional than the first movement, as the painting is far less conventional. The music begins with a rapid, Shostakovich-type mini-overture lasting less than a minute, based on Mary's Theme. My conjecture is that the woman in the painting has arrived late to the opera, busily stumbling into her box. What happens next is a kind of collage, a kind of surrealistic overlaying of two different elements: the foreground music, at first is a direct quotation of Soldier's Chorus from Gounod's FAUST (an opera Cassatt would certainly have heard in the brand-new Paris Opera House at that time), played by Violin II, Viola, and Cello. This music is played sul ponticello in the melody and col legno in the marching accompaniment. On top of this, the first violin hovers at first on a high harmonic, then descends into a slow melody, completely separate from the Gounod. It's as if the woman in the painting is hearing the opera onstage but is not really interested in it. Then the cello joins the first violin in a kind of love-duet (just the two of them, at first). This music isn't at all Gounod-derived; it's entirely from the same scale patterns as the first movement and derives from Mary's Theme and its scale. The music stays in a kind of dichotomy feeling, usually three-against-one, until the end of the movement, when another Gounod melody, Valentin's aria Avant de quitter ce lieux reappears in a kind of coda for all four players. It ends atmospherically and emotionally disconnected, however. The overall feeling is a kind of schizophrenic, opera-inspired dream.   III Young Woman in Green, Outdoors in the Sun (1909) [Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts]   The painting, one of Cassatt's last, is very simple: just a figure, looking sideways out of the picture. The colors are pastel and yet bold - and the woman is likewise very self-assured and not in the least demure. It is eight minutes long, and is all about melody - three melodies, to be exact (Young Woman, Green, and Sunlight). No angst, no choppy rhythms, just ever-unfolding melody and lush harmonies. I quote one other French composer here, too: Debussy's song Green, from Ariettes Oubliees. 1909 would have been Debussy's heyday in Paris, and it makes perfect sense musically as well as visually to do this.   Mary Cassatt lived her last several years in near-total blindness, and as she lost visual acuity, her work became less sharply defined - something akin to late water lilies of Monet, who suffered similar vision loss. My idea of making this movement entirely melodic was compounded by having each of the three melodies appear twice, once in a pure form, and the second time in a more diffuse setting. This makes an interesting two ways form: A-B-C-A1-B1-C1.   String Quartet No.3 (Cassatt) is dedicated, with great affection and respect, to the Cassatt String Quartet, whose members have dedicated themselves in large measure to the furthering of the contemporary repertoire for quartet.

SKU: PR.164002720

UPC: 680160573042. 8.5 x 11 inches.

My third quartet is laid out in a three-movement structure, with each movement based on an early, middle, and late work of the great American impressionist painter Mary Cassatt. Although the movements are separate, with full-stop endings, the music is connected by a common scale-form, derived from the name MARY CASSATT, and by a recurring theme that introduces all three movements. I see this theme as Mary's Theme, a personality that stays intact while undergoing gradual change.   I The Bacchante (1876) [Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]   The painting shows a young girl of Italian or Spanish origin, playing a small pair of cymbals. Since Cassatt was trying very hard to fit in at the French Academy at the time, she painted a lot of these subjects, which were considered typical and universal. The style of the painting doesn't yet show Cassatt's originality, except perhaps for certain details in the face. Accordingly the music for this movement is Spanish/Italian, in a similar period-style but using the musical signature described above. The music begins with Mary's Theme, ruminative and slow, then abruptly changes to an alla Spagnola-type fast 3/4 - 6/8 meter. It evokes the Spanish-influenced music of Ravel and Falla.   Midway through, there's an accompanied recitative for the viola, which figures large in this particular movement, then back to a truncated recapitulation of the fast music. The overall feeling is of a well-made, rather conventional movement in a contemporary Spanish/Italian style. Cassatt's painting, too, is rather conventional.   II At the Opera (1880) [Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts]   This painting is one of Cassatt's most well known works, and it hangs in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The painting shows a woman alone in a box at the opera house, completely dressed (including gloves) and looking through opera glasses at someone or something that is NOT on the stage. Across the auditorium from her, but exactly at eye level, is a gentleman with opera glasses intently watching her - though it is not him that she's looking at. It's an intriguing picture.   This movement is far less conventional than the first movement, as the painting is far less conventional. The music begins with a rapid, Shostakovich-type mini-overture lasting less than a minute, based on Mary's Theme. My conjecture is that the woman in the painting has arrived late to the opera, busily stumbling into her box. What happens next is a kind of collage, a kind of surrealistic overlaying of two different elements: the foreground music, at first is a direct quotation of Soldier's Chorus from Gounod's FAUST (an opera Cassatt would certainly have heard in the brand-new Paris Opera House at that time), played by Violin II, Viola, and Cello. This music is played sul ponticello in the melody and col legno in the marching accompaniment. On top of this, the first violin hovers at first on a high harmonic, then descends into a slow melody, completely separate from the Gounod. It's as if the woman in the painting is hearing the opera onstage but is not really interested in it. Then the cello joins the first violin in a kind of love-duet (just the two of them, at first). This music isn't at all Gounod-derived; it's entirely from the same scale patterns as the first movement and derives from Mary's Theme and its scale. The music stays in a kind of dichotomy feeling, usually three-against-one, until the end of the movement, when another Gounod melody, Valentin's aria Avant de quitter ce lieux reappears in a kind of coda for all four players. It ends atmospherically and emotionally disconnected, however. The overall feeling is a kind of schizophrenic, opera-inspired dream.   III Young Woman in Green, Outdoors in the Sun (1909) [Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts]   The painting, one of Cassatt's last, is very simple: just a figure, looking sideways out of the picture. The colors are pastel and yet bold - and the woman is likewise very self-assured and not in the least demure. It is eight minutes long, and is all about melody - three melodies, to be exact (Young Woman, Green, and Sunlight). No angst, no choppy rhythms, just ever-unfolding melody and lush harmonies. I quote one other French composer here, too: Debussy's song Green, from Ariettes Oubliees. 1909 would have been Debussy's heyday in Paris, and it makes perfect sense musically as well as visually to do this.   Mary Cassatt lived her last several years in near-total blindness, and as she lost visual acuity, her work became less sharply defined - something akin to late water lilies of Monet, who suffered similar vision loss. My idea of making this movement entirely melodic was compounded by having each of the three melodies appear twice, once in a pure form, and the second time in a more diffuse setting. This makes an interesting two ways form: A-B-C-A1-B1-C1.   String Quartet No.3 (Cassatt) is dedicated, with great affection and respect, to the Cassatt String Quartet, whose members have dedicated themselves in large measure to the furthering of the contemporary repertoire for quartet.