SKU: HL.49018099

ISBN 9790001158428. UPC: 884088567347. 8.25x11.75x0.457 inches. Latin - German.

On letting go(Concerning the selection of the texts) In the selection of the texts, I have allowed myself to be motivated and inspired by the concept of 'letting go'. This appears to me to be one of the essential aspects of dying, but also of life itself. We humans cling far too strongly to successful achievements, whether they have to do with material or ideal values, or relationships of all kinds. We cannot and do not want to let go, almost as if our life depended on it. As we will have to practise the art of letting go at the latest during our hour of death, perhaps we could already make a start on this while we are still alive. Tagore describes this farewell with very simple but strikingly vivid imagery: 'I will return the key of my door'. I have set this text for tenor solo. Here I imagine, and have correspondingly noted in a certain passage of the score, that the protagonist finds himself as though 'in an ocean' of voices in which he is however not drowning, but immersing himself in complete relaxation. The phenomenon of letting go is described even more simply and tersely in Psalm 90, verse 12: 'So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom'. This cannot be expressed more plainly.I have begun the requiem with a solo boy's voice singing the beginning of this psalm on a single note, the note A. This in effect says it all. The work comes full circle at the culmination with a repeat of the psalm which subsequently leads into a resplendent 'lux aeterna'. The intermediate texts of the Requiem which highlight the phenomenon of letting go in the widest spectrum of colours originate on the one hand from the Latin liturgy of the Messa da Requiem (In Paradisum, Libera me, Requiem aeternam, Mors stupebit) and on the other hand from poems by Joseph von Eichendorff, Hermann Hesse, Rabindranath Tagore and Rainer Maria Rilke.All texts have a distinctive positive element in common and view death as being an organic process within the great system of the universe, for example when Hermann Hesse writes: 'Entreiss dich, Seele, nun der Zeit, entreiss dich deinen Sorgen und mache dich zum Flug bereit in den ersehnten Morgen' ['Tear yourself way , o soul, from time, tear yourself away from your sorrows and prepare yourself to fly away into the long-awaited morning'] and later: 'Und die Seele unbewacht will in freien Flugen schweben, um im Zauberkreis der Nacht tief und tausendfach zu leben' ['And the unfettered soul strives to soar in free flight to live in the magic sphere of the night, deep and thousandfold']. Or Joseph von Eichendorff whose text evokes a distant song in his lines: 'Und meine Seele spannte weit ihre Flugel aus. Flog durch die stillen Lande, als floge sie nach Haus' ['And my soul spread its wings wide. Flew through the still country as if homeward bound.']Here a strong romantically tinged occidental resonance can be detected which is however also accompanied by a universal spirit going far beyond all cultures and religions. In the beginning was the sound Long before any sort of word or meaningful phrase was uttered by vocal chords, sounds, vibrations and tones already existed. This brings us back to the music. Both during my years of study and at subsequent periods, I had been an active participant in the world of contemporary music, both as percussionist and also as conductor and composer. My early scores had a somewhat adventurous appearance, filled with an abundance of small black dots: no rhythm could be too complicated, no register too extreme and no harmony too dissonant. I devoted myself intensely to the handling of different parameters which in serial music coexist in total equality: I also studied aleatory principles and so-called minimal music.I subsequently emigrated and took up residence in Spain from where I embarked on numerous travels over the years to India, Africa and South America. I spent repeated periods during this time as a resident in non-European countries. This meant that the currents of contemporary music swept past me vaguely and at a great distance. What I instead absorbed during this period were other completely new cultures in which I attempted to immerse myself as intensively as possible.I learned foreign languages and came into contact with musicians of all classes and styles who had a different cultural heritage than my own: I was intoxicated with the diversity of artistic potential.Nevertheless, the further I distanced myself from my own Western musical heritage, the more this returned insistently in my consciousness.The scene can be imagined of sitting somewhere in the middle of the Brazilian jungle surrounded by the wailing of Indians and out of the blue being provided with the opportunity to hear Beethoven's late string quartets: this can be a heart-wrenching experience, akin to an identity crisis. This type of experience can also be described as cathartic. Whatever the circumstances, my 'renewed' occupation with the 'old' country would not permit me to return to the point at which I as an audacious young student had maltreated the musical parameters of so-called contemporary music. A completely different approach would be necessary: an extremely careful approach, inching my way gradually back into the Western world: an approach which would welcome tradition back into the fold, attempt to unfurl the petals and gently infuse this tradition with a breath of contemporary life.Although I am aware that I will not unleash a revolution or scandal with this approach, I am nevertheless confident as, with the musical vocabulary of this Requiem, I am travelling in an orbit in which no ballast or complex structures will be transported or intimated: on the contrary, I have attempted to form the message of the texts in music with the naivety of a 'homecomer'. Harald WeissColonia de San PedroMarch 2009.

SKU: CA.4008619

ISBN 9790007097141. Key: C minor. Language: Latin.

Cherubini's Requiem in C minor for mixed choir (without vocal soloists) and orchestra, which is presented here in a critical new edition, is among the most significant contributions to this genre in the 19th century. It was composed in Paris in 1816 and within a short time it became well known. Musicians such as Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms held it in high esteem because of the work's superior compositional construction, orchestration, mastery of form and the balance in proportion between text and music. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.4008600.

SKU: CF.CM9731

ISBN 9781491161111. UPC: 680160919703. Key: C major. English.

Johannes Brahms, born May 7, 1833 in Hamburg, Germany and died April 3, 1897 in Vienna where he lived most of his life. Brahms is one of the most famous composers of the Romantic period (1830-1920) although his music has many elements of the Classical period (1750 to 1830) as he followed many of the practices of Classical composers Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. In addition to being a composer, he was also well-known as a pianist and conductor. Brahms began writing the Requiem (also known as the German Requiem, Opus 45) soon after his mother died in February 1865 which caused him great grief. In April of that year, he completed the first, second and fourth movements and completed the rest of the seven movements in May of 1868. How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place (Wie Lieblich sind Deine Wohnungen) was the fourth movement of his seven movement work.   Originally written for SATB voices in E-flat major, this seamlessly similar arrangement for SAB voices, now in C major, affords all voices comfortable ranges. Although, it is approximately 5 minutes and 30 seconds in length, it is perceived to be much shorter because of the contrasting stylistic sections within the work. How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place is one of the most beautiful choral pieces by Brahms, perhaps in the entire Romantic period.   Although Brahms wrote the original piano reduction, in this edition, it has been made more accessible for pianists with a wide range of skills. Pay close attention to the dynamic markings throughout the piece, making them apparent to the voices, conductor, and audience. I hope you enjoy singing this beautiful and timeless piece by Johannes Brahms! Russell Robinson, Arranger        .
Johannes Brahms, born May 7, 1833 in Hamburg, Germany and died April 3, 1897 in Vienna where he lived most of his life. Brahms is one of the most famous composers of the Romantic period (1830-1920) although his music has many elements of the Classical period (1750 to 1830) as he followed many of the practices of Classical composers Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.  In addition to being a composer, he was also well-known as a pianist and conductor.  Brahms began writing the Requiem (also known as the German Requiem, Opus 45) soon after his mother died in February 1865 which caused him great grief.  In April of that year, he completed the first, second and fourth movements and completed the rest of the seven movements in May of 1868.  How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place (Wie Lieblich sind Deine Wohnungen) was the fourth movement of his seven movement work. Originally written for SATB voices in E-flat major, this seamlessly similar arrangement for SAB voices, now in C major, affords all voices comfortable ranges. Although, it is approximately 5 minutes and 30 seconds in length, it is perceived to be much shorter because of the contrasting stylistic sections within the work. How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place is one of the most beautiful choral pieces by Brahms, perhaps in the entire Romantic period. Although Brahms wrote the original piano reduction, in this edition, it has been made more accessible for pianists with a wide range of skills.  Pay close attention to the dynamic markings throughout the piece, making them apparent to the voices, conductor, and audience.I hope you enjoy singing this beautiful and timeless piece by Johannes Brahms!Russell Robinson, Arranger    .

SKU: HF.7805

ISBN 9790203458043. 9 x 12 inches.

Weihnachts-Oratorium (J.S.Bach), Matthaus-Passion (J.S.Bach),J ohannes-Passion (J.S.Bach), Messe in h-Moll (J.S.Bach), Magnificat in D-Dur (J.S.Bach), Kantate Nr. 100, Nr. 209 (J.S.Bach), Cacilien-Ode (G.F.Handel), L'Allegro (G.F.Handel), Orpheus und Eruydike (Ch.W.Gluck), Iphigenie auf Tauris (Ch.W.Gluck), Iphigenie in Aulis (Ch.W.Gluck), Symphonien 1-4, 6, 16 (J.Haydn), Die Zauberflote (W.A.Mozart), Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (W.A.Mozart), Cosi fan tutte (W.A.Mozart), Don Giovanni (W.A.Mozart), Klavierkonzert d-Moll, c-Moll (W.A.Mozart), Symphonien 1-9 (L.v.Beethoven), Missa solemnis (L.v.Beethoven), Fidelio (L.v.Beethoven), Ouverture Leonore Nr. 2, Nr. 3 (L.v.Beethoven), Die Stumme von Portici (D.F.E.Auber), Preziosa (C.M.v.Weber), Oberon (C.M.v.Weber), Der Freischutz (C.M.v.Weber), Aufforderung zum Tanz (C.M.v.Weber), Die Hugenotten (G.Meyerbeer), Wilhelm Tell (G.Rossini), Der Barbier von Sevilla (G.Rossini), Die Regimentstochter (G.Donizetti),Lucia di Lammermoor (G.Donizetti),Bravour-Variationen (A.Adam),Rom. Karneval, op. 9 (H.Berlioz),Fantast. Symphonie, op. 14 (H.Berlioz),Ein Sommernachtstraum, op. 61 (F.Mendelssohn Bartholdy), Symphonie Nr. 3, Nr. 4 (F.Mendelssohn Bartholdy), Symphnoie Nr. 1, op. 38 (R.Schumann), Der Totentanz (F.Liszt), Eine Faust-Symphonie (F.Liszt), Ungar. Rhapsodie Nr. 1, Nr. 4, Nr. 6 (F.Liszt), Polonaise Nr. 2 (F.Liszt), Mignon (A.Thomas), Rigoletto (G.Verdi), Othello (G.Verdi), Falstaff (G.Verdi), Aida (G.Verdi), Ein Maskenball (G.Verdi), Die sizilian. Vesper (G.Verdi), Symphonie Nr. 1-4 (J.Brahms), Serenade Nr. 1, op. 11 (J.Brahms), Ungar. Tanze Nr. 1-3 (J.Brahms), Variationen uber ein Thema von J.Haydn, op. 56a (J.Brahms), Violinkonzert op. 77 (J.Brahms), Trag. Ouverture, op. 81 (J.Brahms), Klavierkonzert Nr.1, Nr. 2 (J.Brahms), Ein Deutsches Requiem, op. 45 (J.Brahms).

SKU: BT.EMBZ14430

A Desert March is a protest march and a requiem for European musical culture. This seemingly endless march carries with it subdued or disfigured Western art music quotations (Brahms, Schubert, Beethoven, Bartók, Janácek, Satie). Iconic items such as Beethoven?s Ode to Joy (now the hymn of the European Union) and the United States national anthem appear in numerous, often distorted forms as if molten metal ransacked by the military machine of the relentless march. Yet this monumental work strives for a state of calm and ultimate balance.

SKU: M2.MOS-10015

ISBN 9790203735687.

Ein Stuck fur ein Orgelwerk in einer Uhr lautet eine undatierte handschriftliche Eintragung Mozarts (zwischen Dezember 1790 und 5. Januar 1791) in sein Verzeichnuss aller meiner Werke, etwas spater finden wir unter dem 3. Marz 1791 Ein OrgelStucke fur eine Uhr. Gemeint sind die beiden ublicherweise als Fantasie bezeichneten Werke in f-Moll, KV 594 und KV 608, die Mozart mit grosser Wahrscheinlichkeit fur eine mit einem Uhrwerk verbundene mechanische Orgel - also einen Orgel-Automaten - im Mausoleum Laudons der Mullerschen Kunstgalerie geschrieben hat. Wer unter diesen so harmlos wirkenden Titeln eine ebenso harmlose, hubsche und unterhaltende Musik erwartet, wird schon durch die Tonart der beiden in Mozarts letztem Lebensjahr entstandenen Musiken uberrascht sein - vielmehr noch durch ihre konzentrierte Form und Ausdruckstiefe. Stucke fur ein mechanisches Orgelwerk zu schreiben war durchaus eine Aufgabe, der sich viele der grossen Meister des 18. Jahrhunderts unterzogen. Wir haben kostliche Miniaturen fur eine Flotenuhr von Handel, Haydn, Beethoven u.a., die heute in der Regel auf einer Orgel wiedergegeben werden. Umso verwunderlicher ist es, dass Mozart mit diesen beiden Kompositionen eine ganz andere Musik geschaffen hat: gross dimensioniert schon in der Ausdehnung, die der Lange eines Sinfoniesatzes entspricht, erst recht aber in ihrer inhaltlichen Ausarbeitung! Vom dusteren Adagio am Beginn der Fantasie KV 594 uber das triumphierend auffahrende Allegro bis zum ersterbenden Ende wird der Horer gleichermassen wie in der entgegengesetzt aufgebauten Fantasie KV 608 von dem mit dramatisch-heroischem Impetus anpackenden Themenkopf uber das durch 2 Fugen von allerhochster Meisterschaft umrahmten innig beruhrenden Andante bis zum letzten Ton in Atem gehalten. War es die vermutete Bestimmung der Kompositionen als Trauermusik oder Mozarts Beschaftigung mit Handel und Bach, die so ungewohnlich ergreifende Musik entstehen liess? Unuberhorbar ist jedenfalls ihre Nahe zu seinen letzten grossen Kirchenmusiken, der Messe c-Moll und dem Requiem! Wolfgang Helbich in seinem Vorwort zu den beiden Fantasien fur eine Uhr.