Concerto Miniatures

SKU: HL.14020990

ISBN 9780711923904. 5.5x7.5x0.283 inches.

If Davies's Cello Concerto has already evoked comparisons with Elgar's, that is perhaps an indication not only of its wealth of solo melody (there is hardly a page where the cello is not singing, or if not that, then dancing), and of its predominantly slow tempos, but also of its musical stature. This second Strathclyde concerto is a virtuoso piece for the entire ensemble, which is used almost throughout as a clutch of soloists rather than as a tutti block. The general tone is one of passionate but interior dialogue, especially in the opening Moderato and the slow movement; and though the finale is more extrovert, the work ends back in quietness and rumination.

SKU: HL.14020993

ISBN 9780711952010. 5.5x8.5x0.222 inches.

The solo group consists of a sextet of the woodwind instruments which are normally doubled with more regular members of the orchestra: these six strangers, now brought to the fore, are piccolo and alto flute, cor anglais, Eb and bass clarinets and contrabassoon. They make a motley group, diverse in colour as in register, and one of the tasks of the piece sets itself is to have them blend and cohere, both together as an ensemble and in partnership with the string orchestra (which itself is used with unusual variety and subtlety). Another evident task of the work is to provide fine solos for each member of the woodwind sextet: bright dances for the piccolo, recitatives for the alto flute, a stoical song from the contrabassoon in the extreme bass. The work is cast as a single movement, which begins in the composer's first-movement style of rapid regeneration. This is interrupted by slow interventions, including one for divided strings which gives rise to a sextuple cadenza for the soloists. Out of this comes a slow movement, or sequence of short slow movements, followed by a dancing finale with its own slow episodes. Altogether this is music of songs and dances, heavily tinged with Scottish rhythms and tonalities: one might think of a magic bagpipe, having six chanters and a drone of variegated string texture. This work for woodwind instruments and string orchestra was commissioned by the Strathclyde Regional Council and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. It is the ninth of ten concerti to be written for principal players of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The first performance was given in February 1995 by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by the composer.

SKU: HH.HH018_19-MIN

ISBN 9790708024125.

With the unattributed concerto in F, this concerto is the earliest known 'double' clarinet concerto (i.e., with solo parts exclusively for a pair of clarinets of similar type and range), and among the earliest concertos to feature the instrument in any capacity.

SKU: HL.48187636

This is the miniature study score of his Concerto for Piano No.23 in A major KV488, one of Mozart's most popular and successful concertos, not least for the wistful but loaded mood and sublime melody. Completesd in 1946 and likely performed in Vienna shortly after, it is calm and then vivacious and see Mozart again impressing his mastery of orchestration and compostion..

SKU: HL.48182704

UPC: 888680868055. 7.0x11.0x0.19 inches.

Casanova Concerto Trumpet & String Orchestra Miniature Score.

SKU: HH.HH010-MIN

ISBN 9790708024293.

Written by Tartini as a young man, this concerto offers the soloist rewarding opportunities to dazzle. In the initial Allegro, polyphonic writing alternates with virtuouso sections full of runs and double stops. After a brief cadenza, an island of calm is created by the short Largo for violin and cello solo. The final Allegro plays enchantingly with the sicilian dance rhythm, and after a final solo cadenza this charming concerto comes to a close.