Goss: Don Quixote
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
Shipping Policy- Composer: Stephen Goss (1964-)
- Arranger: David Russell
- Instrumentation: Guitar
- ISBN:
- Size: 8.9 x 12.0 inches
- Pages: 28
Description
Don Quixote is a five-movement sonata for guitar based on the celebrated novels by Miguel de Cervantes. After introducing the three principal characters in the opening movements, the music depicts a selection of their various adventures and escapades.
In the first movement we are introduced to Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Quixote's music tries to be sophisticated, educated, and rhetorically quick witted. It doesn't quite manage. Sancho Panza's music is limited, but less pretentious. He can express a great deal with restricted means. Dulcinea is Quixote's true love, everything he does, he does for her. However, he has never actually spoken to her or even met her, and she has no idea that Quixote loves her. She remains a fantasy that lives only in Quixote's imagination.
Tilting at Windmills, depicts two of Quixote's most iconic episodes. He sees windmills on the horizon but mistakes them for giants; Sancho Panza tells him otherwise, but Quixote still decides to charge them. It doesn't end well. Later, they observe clouds of dust in the distance, Quixote thinks he sees two armies approaching, so decides the best course of action would be to mount an attack. The armies turn out to be flocks of sheep, but Quixote attacks anyway, killing several sheep in the process. Angry shepherds throw stones at Quixote and Sancho who make a hasty retreat.
Before being formally knighted (by an innkeeper) Quixote stands watch over his armour throughout the night. During his Vigil of Arms we encounter the delusional Quixote as he sees himself – formal, serious, important, noble.
The final movement focusses on an episode from Part II of Cervantes's novel, where Don Quixote and Sancho Panza visit The Puppet Theatre of Master Pedro. Manuel de Falla chose this episode as the basis of his opera El retablo do maese Pedro, and the finale draws on Falla's music in its first two sections, the Fanfare and the Gallardas – a homage to mark the 150th anniversary of Falla's birth in 2026. As Don Quixote watches the puppet play, he believes the characters to be real, not fictional. Eventually, his anger reaches a point where he feels he must intervene with the action. He gets out of his seat, draws his sword, and brutally destroys many of the puppets on stage. When the kerfuffle dies down, Don Quixote takes centre stage and recounts some of his most heroic adventures, and serenades his Dulcinea, the woman of his dreams.
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.
Digital Download
Digital, PDF version of the score.
Goss: Don Quixote
