Three Old French Dances For Oboe And Piano

A set of three short dances by one of the central composers of the Baroque French style. Characterised by the stately but subtle syncopations of the French Baroque sound heard most famously in the opening Sinfonia of Handel'sMessiah these dances are ideal repertoire for the intermediate Oboe soloist and are perfect for festivals chamber performances and all manner of smaller concerts.

Pour Quintette de Vents-French composer and conductor Henri Tomasi (1901-1971) published Five Secular and Sacred Dances for Wind Quintet in 1963. As with his other wind compositions Five Secular and Sacred Dances was well-received by audiences. Tomasi was born in Marseille but his Father and Mother were originally from La Casinca in Corsica. Despite being pressured into musical studies by his parents Tomasi dreamed of becoming a sailor and during the summer he stayed with his Grandmother in Corsica where he learnt traditional Corsican songs. However in 1921 he began his studies at the Paris Conservatoire and wenton to become a high profile composer and conductor. Tomasi did not forget his Corsican routes often incorporating themes of the songs he had learnt during the summers with his Grandmother in to his compositions. Five Secular and Sacred Dances is a reduction arrangement of his work of the same name for Chamber Orchestra. Comprising five movements; 1) Rural Dance 2) Secular Dance 3) Sacred Dances 4) Bridal Dance and 5) Warrior Dances Five Secular and Sacred Dances is one of three Wind Quintets by the composer. This Tomasi piece is suitable to an advanced Wind Quintet providing an exciting alternative addition to the ensemble repertoire.