A Classic Top Ten for Manuals

SKU: PA.H01356

ISBN 9790006573172. 30.9 x 23.4 cm inches.

SKU: MB.22062M

ISBN 9781513460536. 8.75 x 11.75 inches.

Built around the life and teachings of master percussionist, Michel Merhej Baklouk, this book has been designed as a biographical tribute, a teaching manual, and a resource guide for anyone wishing to develop a deeper understanding of the role that percussion plays in Near Eastern Arabic music. This book differs from most technique manuals in that it includes historical information about Arabic music as it pertains to the life and work of a single artist, Michel Merhej Baklouk.The book is composed of three parts: Introduction, Lessons, and Reference Information. Each part is written to stand on its own as well as fit with the whole so that readers can approach the book either as individual articles and lessons, or in its entirety, to be read from cover to cover. By presenting Michel's work in this way, we hope to appeal to a wider audience, percussion students at varying skill levels and from varying music disciplines and backgrounds, students of music and Middle Eastern studies, or anyone else interested in twentieth century Arab music and culture.The first part, Introduction, contains several essays about Michel's life, his teaching philosophy, pedagogical practices, musical aesthetics and performance practices. Although these sections may be read independently, they are also designed to help percussion students apply the book's lessons to their own playing and musical interpretations.The technical focus of this book is on the riqq; however, students of Arabic music (beginning through advanced) can adapt the practical exercises to gain mastery of the percussion instrument(s) of their choice.The second part, Lessons, begins with information about how to hold the percussion instrument (case in point: the riqq) and how to practice effectively. It then presents the body of exercises that Michel developed for his students. These exercises have been taken directly from Michel's notated lessons, which he developed into units corresponding to levels of proficiency, or academic years as he taught them at the Conservatory in Beirut; however, for the purposes of this book, the exercises are reorganized to correspond to subject matter and only roughly mirror Michel's conservatory sequence. Unit 1, Technique Building Exercises, is aimed at novice players or anyone who is new to reading music. Units 2 through 5 focus on specific rhythmic structures with increasing complexity. Students should master each unit of exercises before proceeding to the next unit. The third part, Reference Information, includes a notation reference, a list of rhythms, a list of further reading recommendations, and a glossary of Arabic music terms, many of which are used in the text. All Arabic words in this book appear in italics, except proper names, and with the exception of some proper Arab names, the text is essentially written in the standard system of transliteration used by the Library of Congress and most academic literature Throughout the book you will see quotations from Michel offset in the text. These prosaic tidbits may be words of wisdom, interesting anecdotes about Michel's life, or insights into his work and world of music.Each provides a glimpse into the personality of this exceptional musician. As a technical manual for students of Arabic percussion, Classical Riqq Technique provides specific exercises and explores important concepts, some of which are rarely taught, even in private lessons. At the same time, this book strives for a broader goal, to present and preserve classical percussion from the perspective of a master who not only lived in but also influenced the golden age of Arabic music. Includes access to online audio.

SKU: CA.1800700

ISBN 9790007187552.

John Stanley's 30 Voluntaries - published in three collections as op. 5, 6, and 7 - are amongst the best-known organ works of the 18th century. These compositions in free style were met with great acclaim by his contemporaries. The first volume, published in 1748, immediately achieved classic status and encouraged other composers to write similar collections. The op. 5 collection is now published in an up-to-date Urtext edition by Carus, based on the first printed edition and a 1785 edition consulted for comparison. The pieces, of easy to medium difficulty, are for manuals (and can alternatively also be played on the harpsichord), and mainly comprise two movements in the sequence slow - fast. Rhythmic energy, richness of color through the use of solo registers such as cornet and trumpet, dialog between the manuals with multiple echo effects - these are the characteristics of these wonderful compositions, which are also suitable for use in worship.

SKU: HL.50605486

ISBN 9781705190500. UPC: 196288126539.

Bela Bartok composed Dance Suite in 1923 for the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Hungary's capital through the unification of Buda, Obuda, and Pest. It soon became one of his most popular orchestral works, and in 1925 he arranged it for piano solo. Adam Tabajdi completed the organ version of Dance Suite in 2019/20, and recorded it on the Kern organ of Sapporo's Kitara Concert Hall later that year. His transcription was inspired by the composer's own version for piano, exploiting the alternative solutions offered by the ''orchestral'' timbres of the organ, with its manuals and pedals. The ideal instrument for the present version is an expansive, eclectic style organ with at least three manuals. This flamboyant arrangement requires great virtuosity, stamina, and creativity from the performer. Adam Tabajdi (b. 1993) is an outstanding young Hungarian organist. Alongside the music of J. S. Bach, his repertoire includes Liszt,and Franck, as well as twentieth-century works, with a special focus on Messiaen, Ligeti, and Florentz. He is a committed performer of contemporary music, but he also feels a close connection with the works of old masters such as Sweelinck, Weckmann, and Couperin. In 2021 he won first prize in the Toulouse International Organ Competition, and in 2022 he was awarded the Junior Prima Award.