Melody and Romance

SKU: BR.EB-8521

ISBN 9790004178133. 9 x 12 inches.

Max Reger's well-known Romance in G major WoO II/10 was written as a supplement for the Neue Musik-Zeitung, which was the recipient of works - particularly songs and piano pieces - by Reger in the years 1900 and 1901. Reger himself designated his Romance shortly after its publication as an occasional piece of the worst kind - for me! The work was published in 1910 both in its original scoring for violin (and piano) as well as in its first arrangements for other solo instruments.

Reger designated his Romance shortly after its publication as an occasional piece of the worst kind - for me!.

SKU: IS.BCP7332EM

ISBN 9790365073320.

Cami lle Saint-Saëns composed this Romance, Op. 51, in 1877, originally in the key of D major for cello and piano. The form of the piece is relatively simple, opening with a lyrical melody over a repetitive and somewhat rhythmic accompaniment. The middle section modulates to the key of the flattened 6th scale degree (B-flat major), using this to arrive at the dominant chord, in which there are some pseudo cadenza-like moments. Following this, a return to the opening melody with a slightly modified accompaniment, and subsequently a brief coda. To better accommodate the bass clarinet, the entire piece has been transposed up a half-step from the original version into a more comfortable key of E-flat major. Additionally, for much of the piece, the solo part has been lowered by an octave, as to make the piece generally more accessible to students. Should there be a desire to hear the piece more in the range of the original version, one could simply play it on a standard B-flat clarinet to achieve this effect. Though only about four minutes in length, this relatively short vignette captures much of the true essence of Saint-Saëns, not only through the harmonic progressions and accompanimental figures used, but also demonstrating his gift of turning a simple melody into something extraordinary.

SKU: HL.368695

ISBN 9781705141779. UPC: 840126969085. 9.0x12.0x0.289 inches.

This collection of 27 pieces, transcribed and edited by the Howells scholar Jonathan Clinch and published for the first time to coincide with Matthew Schellhorn's recording of the complete piano music by Howells for Naxos, reveals a previously neglected aspect of this celebrated English composer. The pieces chart the musical development of Howells, from his earliest known work “The Arab's Song,” written when he as 16, to the “Petrus Suite,” completed in his 80s, as well as demonstrating his fascination with French music (“Phantasy,” “Harlequin Dreaming”) and the Tudor period (“Pavane” and “Galliard.”) The volume also includes the moving tribute to his friend and fellow composer Finzi. Comprising a wide array of pieces from characterful miniatures to more substantial suites, the collection will appeal to Howells devotees and lovers of 20th century English music, as well as to anyone seeking fresh and distinctive piano repertoire. Includes: The Arab's Song • To a Wild Flower • Romance • Melody • Legend • Summer Idyls: I. Meadow-Rest • II. Summer-Song • III. June-Haze • IV. Down the Hills • V. Quiet Woods • VI. Near Midnight • VII. In the Morning • Phantasy • Harlequin Dreaming • Minuet for Ursula • My Lord Harewood's Galliard • Finzi: His Rest • Siciliana • “Comme le cerf soupire...” • Pavane and Galliard • Petrus Suite: Finnicle's Scherzo • Gavotte • Vagrant Flute • Minuet • 'Sine Nomine' • Bassoonic's Dance • Odd's Minuet • Toccatina.