Ippolito: Violin Concerto
Expected to ship in 2-3 weeks.
- Composer: Michael Ippolito (1985-)
- Format: Full Score
- Instrumentation: Violin, Orchestra
- Work: Violin Concerto (2021)
- Binding: Spiral Bound
- Size: 11.0 x 16.9 inches
Description
There is something about a concerto, perhaps especially a violin concerto, that suggests a heroic narrative. The soloist is the protagonist of an imagined story, collaborating with or battling against the orchestra. As listeners, we identify with the individual persona at the center of the work, and follow their storyline with interest, delighting in their virtuosity and their ability to counterbalance or even overcome a massive orchestra through sheer force of will. When I began to think about writing my own concerto for violin, I was also thinking about ancient Greek epics and mythology, in particular Emily Wilson's brilliant new translation of The Odyssey and Madeline Miller's novels Song of Achilles and Circe. Miller's novels are especially fascinating as they reimagine the well-known stories by focusing on secondary characters (Patroclus and Circe, respectively), rather than the typical hero (Achilles and Odysseus). Somehow, my immersion in Greek mythology, and thinking about heroic stories in general, made me see a potential path for my concerto: to simultaneously embrace epic storytelling, while also undermining it.
My concerto is in two parts. The first, titled Rhapsodos (Song-stitcher), is an epic told from the personal, hero- centered point of view. in ancient Greece, a reciter of epic poetry was called a rhapsode, the roots of the word literally meaning to "stitch together songs". in this movement, the solo violin is the storyteller who embodies the hero, enchanting us with their triumphs and tragedies. The second movement, titled Moirai (Spin-Measure-Cut), refers to the fates, the three sister goddesses who determine the destinies of all mortals. in contrast to the heroic narrative, the Moirai would have a detached and impersonal attitude to any epic story; to them, there is no such thing as a triumph or tragedy, there is simply what is. The three sister's names were often given as Clotho (the one who spins the thread of life), Lachesis (the one who measures each person's allotment), and Atropos (literally the "unturnable" – the one who cuts the thread at the end of life). in this movement, the solo violin begins with Clotho's music, evocative of spinning thread. The music of Lachesis is represented first with a passacaglia, a strict form, or way of measuring time. The spinning music returns before a massive fugue brings together all the themes from the concerto, another strict form that "measures" the protagonist's life. in the final moments, the soloist attempts to defy fate, before the final snip of Atropos' scissors. "Comes the blind Fury with th' abhorred shears, / and slits the thin- spun life."
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.
Ippolito: Violin Concerto
