In the summer of 1913 Satie once more poked fun at himself and the world of music with a set of parodic piano pieces on various marine animals, giving it the grotesque title 'Embryons desséchés? (Dessicated Embryos)(BA 10811). The atmospheric cycle 'Avant-dernières Pensées? (Next-to-last Thoughts) (BA 10849) of 1915, with its underlaid words, likewise belongs to Satie's 'story pieces'. The notatio…

Pauken-Messe. Par HAYDN FRANZ JOSEF. The Missa in tempore belli by Joseph Haydn is an interesting work in several respecst. Firstly this setting of the Mass provides pointers to the situation of Austrian church music as it had been affected by imperial decrees. Secondly the political situation, with the imminent invasion of Austria by Napoleon's troops, had reached a crisis point which is reflecte…

Will Todd, born in 1970, is forging a strong reputation for himself as a composer who is equally at ease in opera, oratorio, church music and jazz. His style is instantly accessible and lastingly memorable. He spent his formative years steeped in both jazz and the English choral tradition so in his choral music he is able to juxtapose strong rhythmic drive and rich harmonies with exquisitely lyric…

Par HILLBORG ANDERS. An intense reflection on romantic passion and loss, Anders Hillborg’s …lontana in sonno… for voice (mezzo-soprano/soprano) and orchestra sets sonnets by Petrarch. Originally written for Anne Sofie von Otter, this 15-minute work unfolds slowly, the voice floating over a gleaming, unearthly soundscape lit from within by glass harmonica. / Instrumental Music, Vocal Music / Réper…

A huge hit for Adele in 2011, Someone Like You has here been expertly arranged by Chris Hussey for choirs seeking a powerful centrepiece to their repertoire. Full of gripping emotion and resolve, this dignified tale of romantic reflection won Adele the 2012 Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance and now choirs too can reap the rewards of this show stopping signature tune. Arranged here for SSA with …

A Requiem For Victims Of Power. Par CUOMO DOUGLAS J.. The text for this piece is derived from the Epistle to the Reader of Sir Thomas Browne’s Hydriotaphia, (1658). Subtitled Urn Burial, the essay is a reflection on the discovery of a Roman urn burial site in Norfolk and the practice of disinterment. I compiled the text by redacting (i.e. eliminating) many of the words of the original, leaving beh…

This work is part of a cycle of five short pieces for a single instrument and piano, focused on the five ages in the cosmogony of Ancient Mexican civilisation. The peoples of the Mexican highlands believe that time follows specific cycles and that the world was created following the pattern of 'trial and error'. The creation of the world is divided into several periods which are termed 'suns' (we …

Queen of Lake Malaren March. Par WIDQVIST VIKTOR. One of Viktor Widqvist's most well-known marches is undoubtedly Mälarrottningen. It was probably composed as early as the 1910s when he was serving in the engineering troops, but was published as late as 1950. The march's subtle minor tonality and the elegant runs in the woodwind bring to mind the wavy waters of Riddarfjärden in summertime. Mälardr…

Par DE HAAN JACOB. This musical fantasy depicts the history of the Dutch fortified town of Elburg. The work begins with an atmospheric medieval picture of the Convent of St Agnes, the nunnery that was built in the first half of the 15th century. We hear the sound of the convent bells together with an upward motif, which will reappear later in the work. Next, the rest of Elburg is featured, includi…

Par SCHUBERT FRANZ. The piano part has been thoroughly re-worked for this new vocal score of Schubert’s Mass in A-flat major (D 678). Andreas Köhs' piano reduction reliably reflects Schubert’s orchestral score and is at the same time idiomatic piano writing. Bärenreiter’s new revised vocal score is compatible with the old vocal score as well as with the orchestral parts and the full score already …