M. Berkeley: Tristessa
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- Composer: Michael Berkeley (1948-)
- Format: Full Score
- Instrumentation: Viola, Orchestra, English Horn
- Work: Tristessa (2003)
- ISBN:
- Size: 9.5 x 13.0 inches
- Pages: 52
Description
Although there are two soloists in Tristessa, it is not a concerto but rather a tone poem in which a solo Viola and Cor Anglais are the chief protagonists, but where there are also important roles for other instruments, such as the principal clarinet. The title comes from a pivotal character in Angela Carter's extraordinary and visionary novel The Passion of new Eve. Carter died prematurely of cancer, thus cutting short one of the most idiosyncratic and distinguished of literary careers. She was a close friend and even wrote a libretto for me for a possible opera on Virginia Woolf's Orlando. Tristessa is a similarly ambivalent creation both philosophically and sexually. The very word, Tristessa, suggests to me the lachrymose melancholy of a John Dowland lament. Angela's writing, however, has that element as well an intense, almost furious energy that I still find very inspiring. So Tristessa is a memorial to Angela. The music is not in any way programmatic but an abstract essay for which the personality of Tristessa is a starting point.
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Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
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Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
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Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
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With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
M. Berkeley: Tristessa
