Peter Maxwell Davies: High on the Slopes of Terror: Orchestra

SKU: HL.14021017

ISBN 9780711984677. 5.5x7.5x0.082 inches.

This work was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It was first performed on 2nd May 2000 at the Barbican Centre, London, conducted by Peter Maxwell Davies. Duration c.23 minutes. Peter Maxwell Davies: The horn writing is extremely virtuoso throughout - not least in exploring the full range of the horn, from the deepest notes in the bass, normally exclusive to an orchestral fourth horn player, to the highest, most exposed sostenuto of a first horn soloist, presenting here challenges of embouchure and sheer stamina I should think fairly unprecedented. Solo part and piano reduction on sale (CH61758), Conductor's score and orchestral parts available for hire.

SKU: HL.14008386

ISBN 9780711927797. UPC: 884088447434. 7.0x10.0x0.051 inches.

Peter Maxwell Davies' 1990 work for unaccompanied SATB choir, written for the BBC singers. Words by George Mackay Brown. 'Written for the BBC Singers, this piece requires a high level of choral expertise in its rhythms, intricate textures (though nearly always in four parts), wide-ranging vocal lines and characteristically dark but luminous harmony, impregnated with tritones and seconds. Not for the first time, Davies and George Mackay Brow follow the Stations of the Cross, though the fourteen sections are joined into a continuous slow-fast-slow musical movement, and the references to the events of Holy Week are oblique. Vocal score with piano accompaniment for rehearsal purposes.

SKU: HL.14020969

ISBN 9781844491346. UPC: 884088435295. 5.5x7.5x0.136 inches.

Work for 2 Trumpets, 2 Horns and 2 Trombones premiered in the Museum of Scotland in 1998 by members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Maxwell Davies has relished incorporating brilliant tuckets and alarms for brass in his larger-scale scores too much to write a perfunctory fanfare; a seminal influence was the statue of St. Michael on the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, where he studied in the late 1950s, generator of high trumpet fanfares throughout his output which resurface in apocalyptic style towards the end of his orchestral work Roma, Amor. Parts available: SOS05301.

SKU: HL.14021039

ISBN 9781844493425. 5.5x7.5x0.214 inches.

A dreamlike and evocative work from Peter Maxwell Davies for flute and orchestra. The piece captures the wonder and sanctuary of the composer's home, surrounded by seabirds and seals that fire the imagination in childlike ways, evoking images of mermaids and angels. Descriptive and inventive orchestral colours support and illuminate the flute solo material that is both tranquil and highly virtuosic. The piece was first performed in May 1999 at the Royal Concert Hall, Dublin.

SKU: HL.14020965

ISBN 9780711936959.

The story centres on the English princess Caroline Mathilde (1751-1775), sister of George III, who at the age of 15 was sent to Denmark to marry the 17-year-old eccentric and schizophrenic Danish King, Christian VII. The ballet portrays her unhappy marriage, the King's growing madness and her fatal love-affair with Struensee, the King's influential physician, which leads to their arrest, his execution and her exile, at the age of 20, separated from her two young children. This suite begins with the act's opening number: a boisterous, stamping dance to which the people rudely mock Queen Caroline Mathilde and her lover Struensee. After this comes a dark Adagio, The Conspiracy, in which the theme passes like persuasion from mouth to mouth, its variations suggesting the different attitudes of the conspirators, firmly controlled by the brass-driven gestures of the Queen Dowager. The conspiracy then works itself out at a court masked ball, from which the suite includes two dances: a gavotte, and a slow, lubricious passacaglia that is a pas de deux for Caroline Mathilde and Struensee. The Arrest comes with a gathering rush of music that envelops the King, the Queen and Struensee, leading to a vociferous climax in which they are held apart. In The Execution, slow white music for wordless female voices, harp and low strings is interrupted by pathetic, alienated outbursts from the King. The suite ends, as does the ballet, with a quiet adagio lament for clarinets and alto flute as the Queen goes into exile. Score. Duration c. 33mins.

SKU: HL.14021026

8.25x11.5x0.017 inches.

This unaffected but effective piece is a homage to the late Marjorie Linklater, a much-loved friend from Orkney, and a charming set-piece for violinists of moderate ability. The slow introductory adagio serves the function of a fond elegy, proving the simple effect of moving between D minor and D major. It serves the songful quality of the violin, as does the wistful central episode of the main sequence; but an exuberant love of the dance is the essence of the allegro, with the high, bright sonority of the instrument very much to the fore. It was first performed by Julia Robinson Dean at the St Magnus Festival, Orkney, on 21st June 1998. Arranged for solo violin. Duration c. 4 minutes.

SKU: HL.14019741

ISBN 9780711935921. 7.0x10.0x1.19 inches.

A ballet in two acts which premiered on the stage of the Royal Danish Theatre, Copenhagen, on 14th March 1991. Based on the true story of the sister of George III, Caroline Mathilde (1751-1775), who at the age of 15 was sent to Denmark to marry the 17-year-old eccentric and schizophrenic Danish King, Christian VII. The ballet portrays her unhappy marriage, the King's growing madness and her fatal love-affair with Struensee, the King's influential physician, which leads to their arrest, his execution and her exile, at the age of 20, separated from her two young children.Written for full symphony orchestra and female chorus. Duration c. 2hrs 25mins.

SKU: HL.49029692

ISBN 9790220128721.

Thes e 5 short voluntaries are arrangements of Jeremiah Clarke, William Croft, Pierre Attaignant and Louis Couperin. They make lively and interesting pieces suitable for youth orchestras or school orchestras of high standard.

SKU: HL.49014375

ISBN 9790220107160.

Thes e 5 short voluntaries are arrangements of Jeremiah Clarke, William Croft, Pierre Attaignant and Louis Couperin. They make lively and interesting pieces suitable for youth orchestras or school orchestras of high standard.

SKU: HL.49016999

ISBN 9790220130588. 8.25x11.75x0.055 inches. English.

Appointed Master of the Queen's Music in 2004, Max, as he is fondly known, has now written four Christmas Carols for Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. At just under four minutes in length this traditional-style carol uses the words of long standing friend George Mackay Brown's poem 'Hamnavoe Women and the Warbeth Bell'. It’s not the first time Max has chosen to use texts by the poet who, like Max, lived on the Orkney Islands.

SKU: IS.BC6925EM

ISBN 9790365069255.

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies on the music of Marc Yeats: Marc Yeats’ musical voice is quite unlike anything else; the music is challenging to both performers and audiences, and very communicative. He produces extraordinary compositions that not only look and sound good, but demonstrate a very high level of academic learning, while being breathtakingly original. This composition was written for bass clarinet soloist Sarah Watts, who did extensive research on bass clarinet multiphonics. This piece is a great illustration on the integration of multiphonics in contemporary music.

SKU: HL.49029690

ISBN 9790220107054.

Thes e 5 short voluntaries are arrangements of Jeremiah Clarke, William Croft, Pierre Attaignant and Louis Couperin. They make lively and interesting pieces suitable for youth orchestras or school orchestras of high standard.

SKU: IS.BC6934EM

ISBN 9790365069347.

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies on the music of Marc Yeats: Marc Yeats’ musical voice is quite unlike anything else; the music is challenging to both performers and audiences, and very communicative. He produces extraordinary compositions that not only look and sound good, but demonstrate a very high level of academic learning, while being breathtakingly original. This composition was written for bass clarinet soloist Sarah Watts, who did extensive research on bass clarinet multiphonics. This piece is a great illustration on the integration of multiphonics in contemporary music.