Ross Taylor Woodwind Quintets (set of 5 parts)

The Ross Taylor Woodwind Quintets – 18 Concert Arrangements – Complete Set of Parts

Instrumentation: flute, clarinet, oboe, horn, bassoon  – parts only

Contents and Notes on Pieces:

Bach, JS – Kleines Harmonisches Labyrinth.    In the Bach Gesellschaft it is noted that his fascinating piece, originally written for organ might possible have been composed by Johann David Heinichen of the same period.  Bach’s autograph is not on the original and the date is uncertain.  time 10′

Bach, JS – Suite in c Minor.    This suite was originally written for Lute in 1722 at Cothen.  time 15′

Bach, JS – Sinfonia in b Minor.    This sinfonia is from the Kantata, “Non sa che sia dolore”, written for Flauto traverso, Violin I & II, Viola and Continuo between the years 1730-1734.  time 8′

Bach, JS – Chorale “Christe du Lamm Gottes”.    This Chorale is from the Orgelbucklein for the Passiontide, written in 1717.  time 2′

Bach, JS – Giant Fugue – “Wir Glauben all’ an einen Gott”.    ‘In organ plena’ (For full organ).  Written and published in 1739 this fugue is from “Clavierubung Vol III” – the Catechism Preludes.  time 5′

Berlioz, Hector – Serenade to the Madonna.    One Christmas morning while in Rome, the composer’s ears were met by the sund of native Italian bagpipes and double-reeds, as groups of peasants came into town every year at this time to honor the Madonna with their own music, following an ancient custom.  When later asked by Plaeyel, the Paris piano-maker and composer, to write something for a reed-organ which he had developed, Berlioz responded with this music in imitation of them.  time 2’17”

Grieg, Edvard – Lyric Suite.    Between 1883 and 1901 Grieg wrote 10 books of lyric piano pieces.  These pieces were picked from Op68, Op65, Op43, Op47 and Op43.  time 10′

Grieg, Edvard – Notturno Op54.    This Nocturne is from “Lyric Pieces for the Piano”, Book V#3.  Written in 1891.  time 5′

Handel, George F. – Suite in Bb Major.    This suite is comprised of instrumental pieces picked from a few of Handel’s 46 operas.  “Serse” was written in London in 1738, “Amadigi” produced at the King’s Theatre in 1715.  “Faramondo”, 1738 and Scipione, 1726.  Originally for strings, oboes & continuo.  time 15′

Mendelssohn, Felix – Kinderstucke Op72 “Six Children’s Pieces” (piano) written in 1842.  time 12′

Mozart, Wolfgang A. – Adagio and Allegro “Ein Stuck fur eine Orgelwerke in eine Uhr”.  In the last year of his life, age 36, Mozart badly in need of money wrote 3 pieces for what he himself described as “An organ in a clock”.  The particular instruments, in the nature of elaborate music boxes connected to small organ pipes, into which air was likewise mechanically bellowed, were situated in various exhibits in a waxworks gallery of a certain Count Deym, who later married Josephine Brunsvik.  It is to this happy circumstance that we owe the survival of this music, for Beethoven was a friend of the Brunsviks and copied it in his own hand, the instruments themselves having long since vanished.  It is amazing that Mozart wrote such a masterpiece for this instrument.  Certainly this and the Fantasia for the same instrument fit naturally into the evolution of his contrapuntal style, but could scarcely have pleased casual visitors to the Gallery, who doubtless expected short, simple and cheerful pieces.  time 15′

Mozart, Wolfgang A. – Divertimento #4 (K186).    Written originally for 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 english horns, 2 horns, and 2 bassoons in Mailand, March 1773.  Toward the middle of the 18th century it became customary to honor ones friends by engaging a number of musicians to play appropriate music under their windows – serenades, nocturnes, divertimenti and cassations were the terms used to identify this new music and the terms at once give clues to its nature.  A few strings and or wind instruments sufficed for the purposes at hand and generally one or two players performed each part.  The divertmenti were light and cheerful in content and were derived from the sinfonia.  This Divertimento was written in Salzburg in 1773 when Mozart was 17.  time 12′

Purcell, Henry – Abdelzaer or “The Moor’s Revenge”.    Overture Act Tunes and Ayres for the Theatre – Incidental music written in 1695 when Purcell was 36 and the year in which he died.  Originally written for flute, oboe, trumpet, strings and continuo.  time 15′

Schubert, Franz – Who is Sylvia.    This famous song was written in Vienna in 1826.  time 1′

Schubert, Franz – An die Nachtigal.    This lovely song was written when Schubert was 19.  1′

Sibelius, Jean – Berceuse.    This lovely lullaby is from the group of piano pieces called ‘Pensee lyriques’, Op40#5 written between 1912-1914.  time 1’30”

Tchaikovsky, Peter I. – Album for Winds.    Tchaikovsky wrote may lyrical piano pieces that are rarely played.  These were chosen from vaious groups of pieces because the seemed ideally suited for winds.  Nocturne is Op19#4 (1872) Feuillet d’Album Op19#3 (1872) Chant sans paroles Op40#6 (1878).  Am Kamin Op37A (1875) Humoresque Op10#2 (1871).  time 15′

Wagner, Richard – Albumblatt.    Aside from his operas, Wagner wrote a handful of other short pieces, mostly of lesser interest.  The present one, however, is suggestive of his “Siegfried Idyll” with its long, arching lines, delicate harmonies and quiet close.  time 5′.