Were You There?: SATB: Vocal Score

SKU: CA.5483809

ISBN 9790007226336. Key: B flat major. Language: Latin.

The Requiem in B flat major is Johann Michael Haydn's second setting of the liturgical text of the Mass of the dead (another Requiem, MH 599, has since been identified as the work of Father Georg Pasterwiz) and it is also his last work, his Opus ultimum. On commission from Empress Maria Theresia he began the composition in 1805, but due to a serious illness he made only slow progress with the work. Like W. A. Mozart, he could not complete this Requiem. In 1839 Father Gunther Kronecker, Benedictine Father in the monastery of Kremsmunster in Upper Austria, completed the torso in the spirit and style of Haydn. During his student days in Vienna Father Gunther belonged to the circle of friends who were associated with Franz Schubert. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.5483800.

SKU: CA.5483849

ISBN 9790007090876. Key: B flat major. Language: Latin.

The Requiem in B flat major is Johann Michael Haydn's second setting of the liturgical text of the Mass of the dead (another Requiem, MH 599, has since been identified as the work of Father Georg Pasterwiz) and it is also his last work, his Opus ultimum. On commission from Empress Maria Theresia he began the composition in 1805, but due to a serious illness he made only slow progress with the work. Like W. A. Mozart, he could not complete this Requiem. In 1839 Father Gunther Kronecker, Benedictine Father in the monastery of Kremsmunster in Upper Austria, completed the torso in the spirit and style of Haydn. During his student days in Vienna Father Gunther belonged to the circle of friends who were associated with Franz Schubert. Score and part available separately - see item CA.5483800.

SKU: CA.5506303

ISBN 9790007188610. Language: English/German. Text: Eschenburg, J. J. / Loy, Felix.

First critical edition. The oratorio Judas Maccabaeus is one of George Frideric Handel's most popular choral works. It was performed over fifty times during the composer's lifetime and was one of his first works to be performed in Germany (1772). The frequent performances given by Handel himself resulted in a particularly large number of reworkings, reflecting local conditions. This new edition therefore offers the work in two performable versions: firstly, the version of the first performance in 1747, and the one from the last oratorio season during Handel's lifetime (1758/59). This makes available all the choruses and arias which Handel ever wrote for Judas Maccabaeus. Reflecting the latest Handel research, the edition is based for the first time throughout on Handel's conductor's score, thereby eradicating not only long-perpetuated mistakes, but also providing clarity about which pieces were actually performed by Handel. By contrast with the Chrysander edition obligatory until now, the aria Father of heav'n which introduces Part III is included here in its original, longer version. Score available separately - see item CA.5506300.

SKU: CA.5506309

ISBN 9790007242060. Language: English/German. Text: Eschenburg, J. J. / Loy, Felix.

First critical edition. The oratorio Judas Maccabaeus is one of George Frideric Handel's most popular choral works. It was performed over fifty times during the composer's lifetime and was one of his first works to be performed in Germany (1772). The frequent performances given by Handel himself resulted in a particularly large number of reworkings, reflecting local conditions. This new edition therefore offers the work in two performable versions: firstly, the version of the first performance in 1747, and the one from the last oratorio season during Handel's lifetime (1758/59). This makes available all the choruses and arias which Handel ever wrote for Judas Maccabaeus. Reflecting the latest Handel research, the edition is based for the first time throughout on Handel's conductor's score, thereby eradicating not only long-perpetuated mistakes, but also providing clarity about which pieces were actually performed by Handel. By contrast with the Chrysander edition obligatory until now, the aria Father of heav'n which introduces Part III is included here in its original, longer version. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.5506300.

SKU: CF.CM9735

ISBN 9781491161159. UPC: 680160919741. Key: A minor. Latin, English. Christopher Smart and ZRS.

Origins of the Tarantella The tarantella is a popular southern Italian dance with origins in the 11th century. (There is even some mention of the tarantella in ancient Greek mythology.) Of the possible sources of the dance, the most popular comes from the villages of Tanto and Tarentum (little spider), Italy. During harvest, workers in the field were sometimes bitten by the tarantula spider. To combat the poison, the afflicted workers went into a frenetic, almost musical exorcism to sweat the venom out of their pores. In the millennium since, the very energetic nature of the dance has remained, although the curative focus of the dance has given way to more enjoyable endeavors, even stately courtship. Origins of the Text Christopher Smart (1722-1771), also known as Kit Smart or Jack Smart, was born in Kent, England and suffered from what is now believed to be acute asthma and other health issues as a child. As such, he did not work in the fields, but spent much time reading and writing, a passion that he nurtured for a lifetime. Well known in London literary circles, his career as a writer floundered due to mounting debts and his falling out of favor with the literary establishment: Sadly, he was forced to confinement at St. Luke's Hospital for Lunatics, though this was based on his mounting debt, and not on insanity. (Confinement, or debtor's prison, was common during this period if one's debts could not be paid.) During his confinement, he worked on two of his most famous works, Jubilate Agno and A Song of David. (Part of Jubilate Agno [Rejoice in the Lamb] was set to music by English composer, Benjamin Britten.) Smart's writing style (which, at times, bordered on the absurd), along with his many obsessions, lead to frequent misperceptions of his work and his lucidity. In this present work, portions of Smart's Jubilate Agno were used in mm. 24-31, 103-110 and 149-156. The remaining text was gathered by the composer, including the rapid, almost patter-like, delivery of words from A-Z in the alphabet. (Christopher Smart had a preoccupation with the alphabet.) These words both rhyme and accentuate the frenetic nature of the spider dance: theraphosa [teh-rah-fo-sa] a genus of tarantula spiders bellicose [beh-lee-ko-sah] hostile; aggressive odiosa [o-dee-o-sa] hateful; vexation tenebrosa [teh-neh-bro-sa] creeping; dark nemorosa [neh-mo-ro-sa] wooded; shady lapidosa [lah-pee-do-sa] stony area; gritty The convergence, then, of the medieval tarantella (spider dance), the writings of a brilliant poet who bordered on the absurd, and the infusion of strong, descriptive and otherwise random, rhyming words, synthesizes to make dramatic lyrics for this work. About the Composer Z. Randall Stroope is an American composer and conductor. He has served as Professor of Music at three universities (an Endowed Professor at two), conducted 47 all-state choirs, and directed over 40 times at Carnegie Hall, among other American venues. Randall guest conducts full-time, and composes from his home studios on Merritt Island, Florida and in Sandia Park, New Mexico. Performance Notes Text: In Latin, the r is flipped; use s instead of z on endings such as phosa, cosa, and so on; the Latin o is a cross between oh and aw; in the transliteration above, I chose to simply use an o for consistency. The director will blend the oh and aw in the rehearsals to his/her own preference. Lastly, tarantula is pronounced tah-rah-n-too-lah (avoid teh-ran-choo-luh) within the confines of this text. Stomp: This can be done by the entire chorus, or just the first row. It is as much visual as it is auditory. The string quartet is preferred over piano when that option affords itself. I created a piano score that is a viable option and included it in the piano/vocal score if a performance uses chorus/piano.
The tarantella is a popular southern Italian dance with origins in the 11th century. (There is even some mention of the tarantella in ancient Greek mythology.) Of the possible sources of the dance, the most popular comes from the villages of Tanto and Tarentum (“little spider”), Italy. During harvest, workers in the field were sometimes bitten by the tarantula spider. To combat the “poison,” the afflicted workers went into a frenetic, almost musical exorcism to sweat the venom out of their pores. In the millennium since, the very energetic nature of the dance has remained, although the curative focus of the dance has given way to more enjoyable endeavors, even stately courtship.Christopher Smart (1722-1771), also known as “Kit Smart” or “Jack Smart,” was born in Kent, England and suffered from what is now believed to be acute asthma and other health issues as a child. As such, he did not work in the fields, but spent much time reading and writing, a passion that he nurtured for a lifetime. Well known in London literary circles, his career as a writer floundered due to mounting debts and his falling out of favor with the literary establishment: Sadly, he was forced to confinement at St. Luke’s Hospital for Lunatics, though this was based on his mounting debt, and not on insanity. (Confinement, or debtor’s prison, was common during this period if one’s debts could not be paid.) During his confinement, he worked on two of his most famous works, Jubilate Agno and A Song of David. (Part of Jubilate Agno [“Rejoice in the Lamb”] was set to music by English composer, Benjamin Britten.) Smart’s writing style (which, at times, bordered on the absurd), along with his many obsessions, lead to frequent misperceptions of his work and his lucidity. In this present work, portions of Smart’s Jubilate Agno were used in mm. 24-31, 103-110 and 149-156. The remaining text was gathered by the composer, including the rapid, almost patter-like, delivery of words from A-Z in the alphabet. (Christopher Smart had a preoccupation with the alphabet.) These words both rhyme and accentuate the frenetic nature of the spider dance:The convergence, then, of the medieval tarantella (spider dance), the writings of a brilliant poet who bordered on the absurd, and the infusion of strong, descriptive and otherwise random, rhyming words, synthesizes to make dramatic lyrics for this work.Z. Randall Stroope is an American composer and conductor. He has served as Professor of Music at three universities (an Endowed Professor at two), conducted 47 all-state choirs, and directed over 40 times at Carnegie Hall, among other American venues. Randall guest conducts full-time, and composes from his home studios on Merritt Island, Florida and in Sandia Park, New Mexico. In Latin, the “r” is flipped; use “s” instead of “z” on endings such as “phosa,” “cosa,” and so on; the Latin “o” is a cross between “oh” and “aw”; in the transliteration above, I chose to simply use an “o” for consistency. The director will blend the “oh” and “aw” in the rehearsals to his/her own preference. Lastly, “tarantula” is pronounced “tah-rah-n-too-lah” (avoid “teh-ran-choo-luh”) within the confines of this text.Stomp: This can be done by the entire chorus, or just the first row. It is as much visual as it is auditory. The string quartet is preferred over piano when that option affords itself. I created a piano score that is a viable option and included it in the piano/vocal score if a performance uses chorus/piano.
The tarantella is a popular southern Italian dance with origins in the 11th century. (There is even some mention of the tarantella in ancient Greek mythology.) Of the possible sources of the dance, the most popular comes from the villages of Tanto and Tarentum (“little spider”), Italy. During harvest, workers in the field were sometimes bitten by the tarantula spider. To combat the “poison,” the afflicted workers went into a frenetic, almost musical exorcism to sweat the venom out of their pores. In the millennium since, the very energetic nature of the dance has remained, although the curative focus of the dance has given way to more enjoyable endeavors, even stately courtship.Christopher Smart (1722-1771), also known as “Kit Smart” or “Jack Smart,” was born in Kent, England and suffered from what is now believed to be acute asthma and other health issues as a child. As such, he did not work in the fields, but spent much time reading and writing, a passion that he nurtured for a lifetime. Well known in London literary circles, his career as a writer floundered due to mounting debts and his falling out of favor with the literary establishment: Sadly, he was forced to confinement at St. Luke’s Hospital for Lunatics, though this was based on his mounting debt, and not on insanity. (Confinement, or debtor’s prison, was common during this period if one’s debts could not be paid.) During his confinement, he worked on two of his most famous works, Jubilate Agno and A Song of David. (Part of Jubilate Agno [“Rejoice in the Lamb”] was set to music by English composer, Benjamin Britten.) Smart’s writing style (which, at times, bordered on the absurd), along with his many obsessions, lead to frequent misperceptions of his work and his lucidity. In this present work, portions of Smart’s Jubilate Agno were used in mm. 24-31, 103-110 and 149-156. The remaining text was gathered by the composer, including the rapid, almost patter-like, delivery of words from A-Z in the alphabet. (Christopher Smart had a preoccupation with the alphabet.) These words both rhyme and accentuate the frenetic nature of the spider dance:The convergence, then, of the medieval tarantella (spider dance), the writings of a brilliant poet who bordered on the absurd, and the infusion of strong, descriptive and otherwise random, rhyming words, synthesizes to make dramatic lyrics for this work.Z. Randall Stroope is an American composer and conductor. He has served as Professor of Music at three universities (an Endowed Professor at two), conducted 47 all-state choirs, and directed over 40 times at Carnegie Hall, among other American venues. Randall guest conducts full-time, and composes from his home studios on Merritt Island, Florida and in Sandia Park, New Mexico.In Latin, the “r” is flipped; use “s” instead of “z” on endings such as “phosa,” “cosa,” and so on; the Latin “o” is a cross between “oh” and “aw”; in the transliteration above, I chose to simply use an “o” for consistency. The director will blend the “oh” and “aw” in the rehearsals to his/her own preference. Lastly, “tarantula” is pronounced “tah-rah-n-too-lah” (avoid “teh-ran-choo-luh”) within the confines of this text.Stomp: This can be done by the entire chorus, or just the first row. It is as much visual as it is auditory. The string quartet is preferred over piano when that option affords itself. I created a piano score that is a viable option and included it in the piano/vocal score if a performance uses chorus/piano.

SKU: UT.NAP-11R

ISBN 9790215324459. 9 x 12 inches.

Performance Material on Hire

[Solo: SSATTB - Choir: SATB - 2.2.2.2 - 4.2.3.0 - Tp - Hp - Str]

Francesca da Rimini is a drama for music in two acts by Saverio Mercadante, libretto by Felice Romani; the text is freely inspired by the unfortunate events of the two lovers, Francesca and Paolo, of which Dante's Comedy (canto V) also narrates.
According to some scholars, the first performance of Francesca da Rimini took place in Madrid in January 1828; however, this date is not reflected in the Diario de Avisos de Madrid, a publication that daily reserved a conspicuous space for news on the shows staged in the Spanish city: the years between 1828 and 1831 in fact do not mention the work. Furthermore, no printed libretto of Mercadante's Francesca da Rimini is preserved today – an inexplicable fact, if one admits that the performance took place. The text of the opera can be largely traced back to the one prepared by Romani for the homonymous work by Antonio Carlini (Naples 1825), which Mercadante was able to know before his stay in Spain.
Following the missed Spanish premiere, the opera should then have been represented at La Scala Theater in a subsequent season, with reliability the imminent one of the 1831/32 carnival; but shortly thereafter the impresario died: thus the contractual obligations involving him were no longer fulfilled, and, for a second time, Mercadante was then forced to shelve the plans about Francesca da Rimini, put aside now for several months.
In fact, the scoring – very similar to that of the operas planned at La Scala in the same Carnival period – assumes that Francesca da Rimini was destined for a theatre of great means, like few others in Italy besides La Scala. But the failure of the opera may also have been due to the presence of the part of an amoroso en travesti, Paolo, to whom Mercadante assigns a prominent role also in terms of music: in 1831 and in Italy such a solution was no longer so frequent as a few years before or in provincial theatres, and so this condition may possibly have affected the fate of the negotiations in Milan, and may explain how the composer was then unable to have the score performed elsewhere.
This critical edition is based on manuscript copies conserved in the Museo internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica di Bologna (autograph score) and in the Biblioteca Histórica Municipal in Madrid (score and separate parts).