Opera In Three Acts. Par SAINT-SAENS CAMILLE. Today, 'Samson et Dalila? is undoubtedly one of the best-known of Camille Saint-Saëns's thirteen operas, being more present in the repertoire of international stages than most other French 19th century compositions. During Saint-Saëns's lifetime, the opera was already regarded as the pinnacle of his dramatic stage works. The fact that the work's genes…

Par BRAHMS JOHANNES. This edition of Brahms' greatest, most ambitious vocal work is reprinted from the definitive edition of the composer's works, prepared by Breitkopf & Härtel of Leipzig. Inexpensive but sturdily constructed to provide years of pleasurable use, this full score combines all the musical parts in a clear, readable format, with wide margins, large noteheads, and many other helpful f…

Par DR. HAYES-JONES SARAH. Unknown until their discovery was announced in 1971 by Péter Várnai in an article in Die Musikforschung, this set of six suites for solo violin, published in 1696, is in all likelihood a second edition of, or second collection to his First Dozen Allemandes, Courantes, Sarabands, and Gigues for Solo Violin without Basso Continuo published in 1682 which are considered lost…

With a fully revised and updated edition, Book Two of the renowned John Thompson's Adult Piano Course has been tailor-made for the adult beginner, who is getting to grips with the basics of Piano playing. The accompanying download card will allow you to hear how each example should be played, allowing you to continue your progression smoothly from Book One.John Thompson's Piano Course has long bee…

Par HAENDEL GEORG FRIEDRICH. In the fourth volume of his “General History of Music”, Charles Burney's verdict on Handel's “Giustino” was as enthusiastic as it was prophetic: “Upon the whole, this opera, so seldom acted and so little known, seems to me one of the most agreeable of Handel's dramatic productions”. In it, wondrous things happen: a peasant's son falls asleep while ploughing and is call…

Par CAVALLI FRANCESCO. In 1662, Cavalli’s career was at its zenith. The two dozen operas he had written for Venice had helped establish Venice as the world’s first operatic superpower. “Scipione Affricano” (Venice 1664), Cavalli’s first opera after returning from France, was one of his most successful compositions. In a period that valued new works over familiar ones, “Scipione” was one of a handf…

for String Quartet op. 35a. Par SUK JOSEF. Josef Suk played second violin in the Bohemian String Quartet. Since 1914 the ensemble was obliged to perform the Austrian national anthem at the opening of every concert. Suk decided to supplement this obligatory piece with a work inspired by the ancient sacred Bohemian 'St. Wenceslas” hymn. The hymn's message - a plea for the well-being of the Czech peo…

In 1790, during the lifetime of Mozart and Haydn, Ernst Ludwig Gerber wrote of Ko?eluch in his famous handbook for musicians, 'without opposition, by young and old, (?) generally the best-loved composer alive today?. His works display 'liveliness and grace, the noblest of melodies with the purest of harmonies, and a pleasing organisation of rhythm and modulation.? Until now, pianists have had litt…

Par MARTINU BOHUSLAV. Bohuslav Martinu composed the one-act opera 'Mariken de Nimègue' based on a medieval Dutch Marian miracle during his stay in Paris in 1933 to a French text by Henri Ghéon. This is the unpublished and unperformed first version of the opera. The second and final version was created in 1934, which Martinu included in his Czech-language opera cycle 'Hry o Marii' (Marian Plays) H …

Josef Suk played second violin in the Bohemian String Quartet. Since 1914 the ensemble was obliged to perform the Austrian national anthem at the opening of every concert.Suk decided to supplement this obligatory piece with a work inspired by the ancient sacred Bohemian 'St. Wenceslas? hymn. The hymn's message - a plea for the well-being of the Czech people, directed at their patron saint - was im…

Par SAURET EMILE. Émile Sauret, violin virtuoso, teacher and composer, was admired by some of the greatest composers of his time, including Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Bruch, Wagner, Grieg and Mahler. He gave numerous concerts with Liszt, Rubinstein, and Moszkowski, and often played duets with Sarasate. He is predominantly remembered for the fiendishly difficult cadenza he composed to Paganini?s first vi…

Josef Suk played second violin in the Bohemian String Quartet. Since 1914 the ensemble was obliged to perform the Austrian national anthem at the opening of every concert.Suk decided to supplement this obligatory piece with a work inspired by the ancient sacred Bohemian 'St. Wenceslas? hymn. The hymn's message - a plea for the well-being of the Czech people, directed at their patron saint - was im…