Brahms had in fact wanted to stop composing in 1890, but his encounter with the clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld inspired him so much that he produced several works in a row for him over a brief period of time. The melodious Quintet op. 115 has been popular with musicians and audiences alike since its premiere in 1891. Even prior to printing - and presumably with a view toward further dissemination of the work - an alternate version was written with viola instead of clarinet, premiered by no less than Joseph Joachim and authorized by Brahms. The Henle Urtext edition, revised according the text of the New Brahms Complete Edition, thus also includes the alternate viola part. In a brief preface, editor Kathrin Kirsch provides insight into the genesis of the work and discusses interesting variants of transmission in the Comments.
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| List | $69.95 |
This work, composed in 1878/79, alternates between chamber music intimacy and symphonic opulence, and marks the beginning of a series of significant late works by César Franck. Its composition was partly prompted by the successful performance of Franck's youthful piano trios at the “Société nationale de musique” (founded in 1871), and probably also by a composition competition for works using this instrumental combination whose deadline Franck then went on to miss. The Quintet was received coolly at its first performance in January 1880, and it was performed just a few more times during the composers lifetime. It was only in the 20th century that audiences and critics came to recognise this work as a major milestone in the history of French chamber music, and it now adorns the Henle catalogue in a new Urtext edition.
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| List | $58.95 |
Composed in 1943. Duration 7 minutes. Full score. Parts available: PAT60070SP.
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| List | $15.95 |
Dance Suite is the last work to be written (mostly in late 1989) by the composer. Each movement is dedicated to a choreographer-friend. More than a pièce d'occasion, there are other layers of meaning in the work since each movement had its origin in other formats. These are mostly anniversary pieces composed for family and friends.
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| List | $35.00 |
For Oboe and Wind Quartet (Flute, Clarinet, French Horn and Bassoon).
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| List | $25.00 |
From the composer: Soliloquy was written in memory of my father, who died on September 1, 1975. He had been a concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic for 23 years, and I still find it hard to think of that orchestra without him sitting in the first chair. So the idea of an extended dialogue for clarinet and violin seemed not only natural but inevitable. The Soliloquy begins with a long, unaccompanied line for the violin. The other strings enter, and a mood of sustained lyricism introduces the clarinet. The prevailing feeling is that of desolation. I deliberately avoided an emotional climax in the Soliloquy, feeling that sustaining the same mood throughout the music would achieve a heightened intensity. Structurally, this movement alternates two melodic ideas. The first is introduced by the violin (in B), while the second (in B-flat) is represented by the clarinet. A three-note motto (C-sharp, B, B-flat) grows from the alternation of the two tonalities and provides a third major element. The movement ends as it began, with the same long violin line, this time joined by the clarinet.
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| List | $29.99 |
Reicha published a total of 24 wind quintets for the “classical” scoring of flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon; Op. 88, No. 2 is one of the best-loved and most played. “If it were possible to surpass Haydn in the composition of quartets and quintets, Reicha would have succeeded with these quintets,” thus raved the “Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung” on a performance of Reicha's quintets, “it seems to me that it is impossible to unite more correctness and clariety with more inventiveness and originality.” This work exudes inspiration and spirit from every note. In addition to the parts, we have also produced a handy study edition of the score.
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| List | $22.95 |
Instrumentation: for violin, violoncello, alto saxophone, trombone, and percussion
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| List | $160.00 |
Reicha published a total of 24 wind quintets for the “classical” scoring of flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon; Op. 88, No. 2 is one of the best-loved and most played. “If it were possible to surpass Haydn in the composition of quartets and quintets, Reicha would have succeeded with these quintets,” thus raved the “Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung” on a performance of Reicha's quintets, “it seems to me that it is impossible to unite more correctness and clarity with more inventiveness and originality.” This work exudes inspiration and spirit from every note. In addition to the parts, we have also produced a handy study edition of the score.
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| List | $45.95 |
Set of Parts only – no score
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| List | $80.00 |
The composer, violinist and educator Louis Spohr (1784-1859) wrote a virtuoso adagio for his first wife, a virtuoso harpist and pianist. He later rearranged it for bassoon and piano. Includes solo parts for flute, clarinet, bassoon, violin, and cello.
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| List | $20.99 |
