There's a Hero - SATB

SKU: BA.BA02282

ISBN 9790006419555. 33 x 26.5 cm inches. Text Language: French, German. Preface: Ludwig Finscher. Text: Pierre-Louis Moline.

Christoph Willibald Gluck’s most popular opera “Orphe et Euridice” was performed in 1774 in Paris to sensational success. This new adaption followed the original Viennese version with Italian text that was first performed in 1762 under the direction of the composer in the Burgtheater. For the Paris version Gluck changed the leading part Orpheus from an alto to a tenor role and composed new recitatives.

Both versions of Gluck’s reform drama are based on a libretto by Ranieri de’ Calzabigi and revolutionised metastasian opera of the 18th century. Solo and choral music, instrumental music, pantomime and dance are all closely connected; the myth replaces a historical plot surrounded by intrigue; where there would have been a da-capo aria there are now simple song forms and coloratura is largely abandoned. These meticulously revised vocal scores of both versions are also newly set.

About Barenreiter Urtext

What can I expect from a Barenreiter Urtext edition?< /p>

MUSICOLOGICA LLY SOUND
- A reliable musical text based on all available sources
- A description of the sources
- Information on the genesis and history of the work
- Valuable notes on performance practice
- Includes an introduction with critical commentary explaining source discrepancies and editorial decisions

... AND PRACTICAL
- Page-turns, fold-out pages, and cues where you need them
- A well-presented layout and a user-friendly format
- Excellent print quality
- Superior paper and binding

SKU: PE.EP72698A

ISBN 9790577010519. 210 x 297mm inches. English.

Commiss ioned by Making Music with funds from the Nicholas Berwin Charitable Foundation

First performance: 12th March 2016, Waltham Singers, conducted by Andrew Fardell, King Edward's Grammar School, Chelmsford.

Mus ic runs through the story of Arion, which begins with a singing competition in Sicily. Arion wins the prize, and this puts his life in danger: his newfound wealth excites the Greed of the sailors who are supposed to be bringing him back to Corinth, and they threaten to kill him.  They allow Arion to sing one last song, and the power of his singing attracts dolphins to the ship.  At The End of his song, he jumps overboard, and one of the dolphins carries him to safety.  So Arion’s musical gift gets him into trouble, but it is also his salvation.  

The idea of being rescued by a music-loving dolphin is very appealing.  In Robert Graves’ account of the myth, the dolphin could not bear to be parted from Arion, and accompanied him back to court, where “it soon succumbed to a life of luxury.”  However, Herodotus says that, after his rescue and return to Corinth, Arion failed to return the dolphin to the sea, and it died there.  Apollo placed the dolphin among the stars, and next to it, Arion’s lyre, in recognition of his musical skill.  This is one of the mythical explanations of the origins of the constellations Delphinus and Lyra.

It seems natural to sing a story that has singing at its heart.  When I was asked by the Nicholas Berwin Charitable Trust to write a choral work for Making Music, something that would be within reach of many choirs, and involve children, this story struck me as ideal: the men of the chorus could be the bloodthirsty sailors, and the women could create an atmosphere of mystery for the arrival of the dolphins, represented by children’s voices.  There would be one solo voice: Arion, the marvellous singer.  Andrew Fardell, the conductor who was advisor to this commission, had suggested that I might use the same instrumentation as a popular arrangement of Orff’s Carmina Burana, a work that, as well as using children’s chorus, features a solo countertenor.  I thought the magical, otherworldly quality of this voice would help to convey the extraordinary effect Arion’s singing had on all who heard it. 

- Jonathan Dove

SKU: BA.BA08860-01

ISBN 9790006558131. 33.5 x 25.5 cm inches. Text Language: French. Preface: Sylvie Bouissou. Text: Louis Fuzelier.

The main body of the new edition of Les Indes galantes, published in Opera Omnia Rameau (OOR IV.2, 7), restores the version authorised by Rameau in 1736. This basic editorial decision has made it possible to present a fully coherent and authenticated reading of the work (after the adjustments from the earliest performances). All other versions before and after 1736 are gathered together in 19 complements.

Sylvi e Bouissou's new edition differs markedly from previous modern editions and all existing recordings. With its complements she does justice to the performer's need for Rameau's various revisions while finally making accessible a version actually authorised by Rameau. For the first time it is presented in its complete stylistic and dramatic context.

About Barenreiter Urtext

What can I expect from a Barenreiter Urtext edition?< /p>

MUSICOLOGICA LLY SOUND
- A reliable musical text based on all available sources
- A description of the sources
- Information on the genesis and history of the work
- Valuable notes on performance practice
- Includes an introduction with critical commentary explaining source discrepancies and editorial decisions

... AND PRACTICAL
- Page-turns, fold-out pages, and cues where you need them
- A well-presented layout and a user-friendly format
- Excellent print quality
- Superior paper and binding