The Moment

SKU: HL.14037692

ISBN 9788759818886. 12.0x16.5x0.523 inches. English.

Momentum - Cello Concerto No. 2 for Violoncello Solo and Chamber Orchestra by Per Norgard .

SKU: BR.EB-9387

ISBN 9790004188576. 0 x 0 inches.

Commissioned by the Kolner Philharmonie (KolnMusik) for the non bthvn projekt 2020 and the Cite de la musique / Philharmonie de Paris Dedicated to Arditti Quartet Each movement of this quartet explores a single state, its lights and its shadows. Each movement, you could say, is a moment . And these moments could last for more or less time without compromising their essential nature. The processes could be extended or compressed, repeated or reversed, but the core ideas - if they are ideas, but maybe they are simply experiences? - are what they are. Despite this, the precise sequence of movements matters a great deal. Heard together they do articulate some kind of linear narrative, maybe even a metaphorical journey (albeit a circular one where the arrival might, who knows, prove to be a new departure). One situation gives way to another and instrumental relationships within the quartet vary, but ultimately the imaginative impulse behind the piece preferences states of unity. Whether or not this unity is expressed texturally - sometimes literal unisons pervade, but not always - there is generally a sense that even seemingly diverse aspects relate to a fundamental condition of concord: a conscious limitation in the pitch structure to spectral emanations of the root notes E-flat and C. At the opening this is unambiguously audible in the perpetual alternation of these two notes in the low cello register. Later the two spectra are woven into a micro-tonal 'double-spectral-mode' (derived from the first 24 partials of the C and E-flat fundamentals), which defines the subtle melodic inflection of the second movement, and the never-quite-chromatic ascending scales of the third. For now this feels like a rich source of melodic possibility, so far only just glimpsed... And why the insistence on E-flat? Probably by way of historical anecdote. Apparently Karl Holz (a member of the Schuppanzigh Quartet) said to Beethoven: We performed your Quartet in E-flat Op. 127 in his [Weber's] honour; he found the Adagio too long; but I told him: Beethoven also has a longer feeling and a longer imagination than anyone standing or not standing today. - Since then, even Linke (another member of the quartet) can no longer stand him: we cannot forgive him for this. Listening again to Op. 127, in light of these comments, I was struck by the opening moment: the unfolding of an E-flat 7th chord over the course of a few bars. Every time I hear it I find myself wishing that Beethoven would have lingered longer there, without resolution or progression, just enjoying that sonority. And maybe - why not? - tune the 7th naturally. And what would it be to stretch that moment into an entire piece? What would Weber think of that?! In the end I was not so extreme in my self-limitation, and other concerns took over, but it was from these thoughts that the composition process began... Lastly, about the title: it comes from a book called 'The Clock of the Long Now' by Stewart Brand, published at the turn of the millennium. It's about the creation of a thousand-year clock to embody the aspiration to thinking in terms of longer time-spans than are presently habitual. If the music of Beethoven embodied a 'longer' feeling and imagination than some of his contemporaries were able to appreciate, what is our relation to time now? Longer or shorter? Maybe it depends who you ask... It's probably more extreme in both directions: attention spans might be diminishing in the digital world, but conversely there is an awareness of distant pasts and potential futures which would have been inconceivable at the time of Beethoven. In any case, the interesting thing is to ponder how societal conditions, assumptions and expectations might - whether consciously or unconsciously - influence the time of art, for listeners and creators alike. And what if time is running out? (Christian Mason)

World premiere: Paris, Cite de la musique, January 14, 2020.

SKU: BT.AMP-210-010

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

A Quiet Moment was written in memory of James Philip Krofta, a highly respected American conductor who died in the year 2006. This calm, willful composition of Philip Sparke is equally at home on the concert platform as in thecontest arena or at significant remembrance events when a quiet moment is required. Dur: 4:30

A Quiet Moment is geschreven ter herinnering aan de Amerikaanse dirigent James Phillip Krofta (1953-2006), in opdracht van zijn familie, die hiermee zijn grote liefde voor de muziek en het lesgeven recht wil doen. Deze mooiecompositie leent zich uitstekend voor plechtige gelegenheden (eventueel ter nagedachtenis aan een geliefde persoon), maar kan ook heel goed dienen als aangenaam rustpunt in een concert.

A Quiet Moment wurde im Gedenken an James Philip Krofta, eines engagierten amerikanischen Dirigenten, der im Jahre 2006 verstorben ist, geschrieben. Kroftas Familie gab die Komposition als Anerkennung seiner Liebe zur Musik und seiner Hingabe zum Lehrerberuf in Auftrag. Die ruhige, würdevolle Komposition von Philip Sparke eignet sich wunderbar für Anlässe zu Ehren oder zum Gedenken an wichtige Personen oder Ereignisse - oder als besinnlicher Ruhepunkt in Ihrem Konzertprogramm.

A Quiet Moment nous invite entrer dans un temps méditatif ou contemplatif. Les images et les pensées suscitées par chant nostalgique sont autant de voyages mélancoliques où les paysages décrivent des instants de vie et d’amour.

SKU: BT.DHP-1064046-010

9x12 inches. English-German-French-Dutch.

While composing this beautiful chorale, Hayato Hirose was inspired by the fond memory of the pre-marital days he spent with his beloved wife, Minako.The chorale starts with gorgeous woodwinds, after which the brass section is gradually added to enhance the atmosphere. The main theme is repeated and developed in several different keys in the middle section, followed by the recapitulation and the romantic coda that concludes the work. Moment Musical gives any concert programme a touch of warmth and tenderness.

De inspiratiebron voor het schrijven van dit prachtige koraal vond Hayato Hirose in zijn aangename herinnering aan de verlovingstijd die hij doorbracht met Minako, zijn geliefde echtgenote. Het koraal begint met een prachtige passagein het hout, waarna de kopersectie langzaam wordt toegevoegd voor nog meer sfeer. Het hoofdthema wordt herhaald en ontwikkelt zich in verschillende toonsoorten in de middenstem, gevolgd door de reprise en het romantische codawaarmee het werk eindigt. Moment Musical geeft elk concertprogramma een vleugje warmte en tederheid.

Zu diesem wunderschönen Choral ließ sich Hayato Hirose von der Erinnerung an die Zeit der Hochzeit mit seiner geliebten Frau Minako inspirieren. Moment Musical setzt mit prächtigen Holzbläsern ein, dann wird die Stimmung nach und nach von den Blechbläsern unterstützt. Das Hauptthema wird in mehreren unterschiedlichen Tonarten im mittleren Register wiederholt und entwickelt. Darauf folgen die Reprise und die romantische Coda, die das Werk beendet. Moment Musical verleiht jedem Konzertprogramm einen Hauch von Wärme und Zärtlichkeit.

Ce choral aux lignes délicates et épurées débute avec ferveur. Les bois évoluent avec délicatesse et transparence, magnifiés par les cuivres qui se joignent élégamment au développement. Dans le passage central, le thème principal est exposé plusieurs reprises dans différentes tonalités. Une coda séduisante et romantique vient conclure la composition. Moment Musical est un délicieux flot de légèreté.

Questa corale dalle linee delicate inizia con fervore. I legni sviluppano con delicatezza e trasparenza, aiutati dagli ottoni che si uniscono allo sviluppo del tema. Nel passaggio centrale, il tema principale è esposto a più riprese in varie tonalit . Una coda seducente e romantica chiude il brano.