Jaffe: Violin Concerto
This item is made to order and typically ships within 2-3 weeks.
- Composer: Stephen Jaffe (1954-)
- Instrumentation: Violin, Orchestra
- Work: Violin Concerto (2000)
- Binding: Spiral Bound
- UPC:
- Size: 8.9 x 12.0 inches
Description
Words are useful for performers and composers and I've used them here ("like a boogie woogie" or "quasi doppler effect"), but titles are always vexing for me, and naming this work was no exception: it?s difficult to encapsulate in a name this special piece which I've lived with for two years. My work is very definitely a violin concerto, with all the moniker implies in musical and poetic conception: three main parts, virtuoso violin writing, and a special sound world. in addition, hopefully a piece of music imaginatively embodies a composer?s particular vision or expressive message, and so the words loosely attached to the three individual movements may also be suggestive: "Passage", the first movement, might refer to the little theme with which the violin opens the concerto (as in a musical passage); or to the many cadenza passages; or metaphorically to the progression from singing to soaring to leaping, a narrow passage as something we might choose to go through, involving risk and dependent on the grace of others, living or ancestors. Similarly, the second movement, "Variations", may be described in purely musical terms: Introduction, theme and ten variations, a sectional composition midway between slow movement and scherzo. But I was also thinking about the beauty of ascent? (and nearly called the movement variations on a song of ascent). The concluding "Allegro vivo" is a joyful, rhythmic and singing enterprise, the most continuous of the three main parts. While related to the previous two movements thematically, the emphasis here is on rhythms which talk and dance, and, of course, on the violin.
The Violin Concerto takes about 35 minutes to play. in addition to the violin part, on which I have worked most closely with Nicholas Kitchen, the work calls for an orchestra of nine woodwinds (including piccolo, bass clarinet and English horn), eight brass, harp, keyboard, timpani, and percussion parts (some thirty instruments including the Chinese lujan and Jamaican steel drums distributed among three players). The language of the concerto ranges from the most simple and direct melodies to very dense clouds of sound in which the violin soloist is temporarily enveloped.
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.
