Par PURCELL HENRY. Henry Purcell's only Opera proper, Dido and Aeneas is a magnificent example of English Baroque music, with lively dances and passionate aria sections that demonstrate Purcell's masterful compositional and choral writing skill. Based on a libretto by Nahum Tate it was first performed in 1689, comprises three acts and lasts about an hour. Filled with dramatic lyricism with a wide …

'The Schott Recorder Consort Anthology' presents a wealth of music from the fifteenth to the seventeenth centuries. Although the bulk of the collection is laid out for a variety of four-part ensembles there are also duets and trios, as well as five- and six-part pieces. The repertoire includes both original instrumental works and transcriptions of vocal pieces. There are lively and stately dances,…

Par BACH JOHANN SEBASTIAN. Wie Schön Leuchtet Der Morgenstern (How Bright And Fair The Morning Star) BWV 1. Cantata for the Feast of Annunciation Day. The cantata “ Wie Schön Leuchtet Der Morgenstern ” BWV 1 was written for 25 March 1725, when the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary coincided with Palm Sunday. It forms the conclusion of Bach ’s cantata cycle of 1724/25. The anonymous lib…

Par BUSONI FERRUCCIO. Busoni was just sixteen years old when he wrote the extraordinary Serenata, and the quality of the music is exceptional. The work draws inspiration from the serenade as love song, and the interplay between the warm, lyrical cello line countered by its bright and lively piano partner is highly effective. In preparing this new addition, cellist Lowrii Blake has consulted the or…

Christmas fiddlers can draw on a rich and varied repertoire. This collection spans seven centuries, from the boisterous medieval Song of the Ass to contemporary tunes like Sleigh ride, taking in such traditional carols as Away in a manger and O little town of Bethlehem along the way. There is music in The Christmas Fiddler from England, Wales, France, Germany and North America.Of course Christmas …

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Jan van der Roost’s new work Jubilus will make an ideal opening piece for any event. It is in a classical ABA form, beginning with a rising brass fanfare which is quickly replaced by a contrasting expressive lyrical theme. The two themes alternate for a few seconds until an exciting new atmosphere is created with the lively allegro. This eventful piece lets you show off many…

This three movement piano trio from Giselher Klebe's late period of creativity originates from his estate. The composition's appeal lies in the clear, restrained diction whilst at the same time a high intensity of expression is achieved. Two diverse slow outer movements with eruptive injections frame a lively middle movement. This work which has a duration of 20 minutes undoubtedly represents an i…

Noisy Nativity - for children who just can't keep quiet!Noisy Nativity presents the Christmas story with gusto, featuring catchy songs, lots of actions and percussion and an entertaining script. This show opens with a bang, all the children playing percussion instruments or clapping and stamping really loudly! Their teachers come to quieten them down. 'Why are you making all that noise?' they ask.…

This is a complete edition in seven volumes of the collections of dances for instrumental ensemble published by Pierre Attaingnant of Paris between 1529 and 1557. Our edition of this series, which we originally published in the 1970s, has now been extensively revised, and a detailed commentary provided for each volume. All pieces are playable on recorders (ATTB or SATB), viols (TrTTB), violin fami…

Following on from Jessica's hugely successful book Celtic Music for Flute, she has produced a Volume 2 which contains 46 pieces ranging from lovely portraits to lively jigs. They come from traditions including Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and Manx, and were gathered from various sources: among others, manuscripts written for Bagpipe, Lute, Mandora, Fiddle, and Voice. The unique personality and sound of…