Richard: The Collected Works
Expected to ship in about a week.
- Composer: Étienne Richard (1621-1669)
- Editor: Bruce Gustafson
- Format: Critical Edition
- Instrumentation: Keyboard
- ISMN:
- Size: 9.2 x 12.2 inches
- Pages: 72
- Urtext / Critical Edition
Description
The fourteen surviving keyboard pieces attributed to "Richard" are among the most intriguing examples of mid-seventeenth-century French keyboard music. Although it is not certain whether they all stem from a single composer, modern scholarship generally associates them with Étienne Richard, a prominent Parisian organist and harpsichordist who served at court and taught the young Louis XIV. These works include expansive preludes related to the toccata tradition of Froberger as well as a variety of dance movements—allemandes, courantes, and gigues—showing both lyrical invention and crisp motivic play. Together they offer a vivid glimpse of Parisian style at a moment of transition in French keyboard music.
Published as part of The Art of the Keyboard, a series of critical editions designed for performers and students of early keyboard music, the volume combines rigorous editorial standards with clarity and readability, making Richard's long-overlooked works newly accessible today.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
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
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
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
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
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
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
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.
Richard: The Collected Works
