Sinfonia in B-flat Major for String Orchestra

SKU: HH.HH465-FSC

ISBN 9781910359723.

This compact sinfonia is an early example of a true chamber sinfonia: that is, an offshoot of the Italian-style operatic overture intended from the start to be a free-standing composition for use in either public or private concerts. Wolff’s sinfonia adopts the usual Fast-Slow-Fast format, adopting the sonata form and style pioneered by Italian composers but developed more fully in Germany during the central decades of the eighteenth century. This composition, full of striking and effective contrasts of dynamics, mood and thematic content, anticipates in places the Sturm und Drang of middle-period Haydn and the finely sculpted melodic lines of C. P. E. Bach.

SKU: TM.01616SC

Sandra Dackow Little Known Gem - Grade IV+. Ed. by Hoffmann. This delightful set of works in the keys of G, A, and B-flat major takes full advantage of multiple stops, chords, and fiddle writing that lays easily under the hand and is fun to play. The fast movements are vigorous and the contrasting slow movements are not particularly fussy or florid, though they include some ornamentation. In the Allegro sections, musicians should approach the playing as they would a work by Haydn or Mozart: eighth and quarter notes off the string and at the frog, and sixteenth notes on the string. Stamitz’s players would have followed the general rule of the down bow, where the strong beat would begin with a down bow. In Concerto No. 1 in G, the Violin I parts reach to sixth position, requiring high G’s. Unusual writing for its time, these passages are both logical and easy for players to find and hear. Cello and bass parts reach high F’s on occasion and require third, fourth and fifth positions. The second violin and viola parts do not require extended ranges, making this work practical for an upper intermediate orchestra. The slow movements transition between different keys and requires the low strings to use extension notes such as G-sharp and A-sharp.

SKU: HL.50039780

6.75x10.5 inches.