Partitur Nr. 09 SERANATA

Thomas Rüedi Solo Series

SER ENATA ENR ICO TOSELLI (18 8 3 –19 2 6)

09 SOLO WORK NO

Transcribed for Euphonium by

THOMAS RÜEDI

Thomas Rüedi Solo Series

SER ENATA E N R I C O T O S E L L I ( 1 8 8 3 – 1 9 2 3 )

Transcribed for Euphonium by THOMAS RÜEDI

PREFACE THE WORK

«Serenata Rimpianto Op.6, No.1» (a Serenade of regret) is the full name Toselli assigned to his, no doubt, most famous work. It is, however, mostly referred to as the «Serenata» or «Toselli’s Serenade».

Toselli wrote this piece in 1900, at the age of seventeen and dedicated it to his friend Giuseppe Bellesi.

THE FORM

All of the masters from J.S.Bach to Philip Glass have utilized the ternary song form in their compositions. Ternary form is the simple form of presenting two different thematic sections, then adding a reprise of the first thematic material at the end; producing the structure: «A-B-A».

Inspired by the ternary form, Toselli utilized a variation by adding a repetition of the first «A» and «B» themes. Thus resulting in the structure: «A-A-B-B-A». While the first repetition of the «A» theme is not at all unusual, what is special in Toselli’s work is the decision to also repeat the «B». What we really end up having is a hybrid between the Baroque binary form: «A-AB-B» and ternary form: «A-B-A».

Another divergence from the traditional ternary form is Toselli’s choice not to modulate to the dominant key or to the parallel minor in the «B» sections. Instead, Toselli elected to stay in E-flat major throughout the entire work.

The short piano introduction opens with the «A» theme in the left hand of the piano. However, the soloist’s entrance interrupts the piano’s line from completing its consequent phrase. The complete antecedent-consequent phrase is not heard in its entirety until it is played by the soloist, not the pianist.

PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATION

Of course this piece was originally a vocal work, so a beautiful singing approach should always be a priority.

An awareness of the lyrics can be very helpful in the creation of your interpretation. Take some time to look at them and discover how they fit with and shade the music. Note that during the piano introduction, the «A» theme is immediately introduced with the piano’s left hand. Take time to discuss with your pianist how prominent you want it to be.

THE ARRANGEMENT

The arrangement was left in its original key.

For reasons of ease of reading, the repetitions have been written out.

Some traditional ornamentation has been added, which is not uncommon for instrumental arrangements of this genre.

THE COMPOSER

á March 13, 1883 in Florence, Italy † January 15, 1926 in Florence, Italy Enrico Toselli is known today mostly as the composer of his «Serenata», but he was a relatively prolific composer of music. As a compositional student of Martucci and Grazzini, he learned the nuances of composing in the ‘fin-de-siècle’ style, typical of french salon music such as that of the «Serenata». Toselli focused most of his compositional energy in vocal music, from salon pieces to Operettas.

Interestingly enough, in Toselli’s time, he was most famous for his love affair with the Archduchess of Tuscany. The publicity surrounding his love affair with the ex-Princess of Saxony enabled him to profit from his well-received memoirs about the heated, five year affair: Mari d‘altesse: «4 ans de mariage avec Louise de Toscane, ex-princesse de Saxe». It was so popular there, that even an English translation of the book was published under the title: «Memoirs of the husband of an ex-crown princess».

Toselli was also an incredibly accomplished pianist at a young age, and an outstanding piano student of Sgambati. However, it is speculated that during the time of his love affair, his keyboard technique began to suffer due to lost interest. In the end, Toselli settled into a teaching role in Florence, where he also continued composing until his untimely death at the age of 42.

MILESTONES

1897 – 1907 Tours the principal European capitals and North America as a celebrated pianist.

1907 – 1912 Wed to and then separated from the Archduchess Luise, Princess of Tuscany.

1912 Composed and premiered his first operetta, «La Cattiva Francesca».

Thomas Rüedi Solo Series

The Thomas Rüedi Solo Series is a collection of selected masterpieces arranged for euphonium and piano. This series strives to enrich the solo repertoire for euphonium, thus opening a window into the fascinating world of some of the leading composers of the Baroque and Romantic period. By studying these famous works, the performer develops a more profound musicianship and a more defined awareness of style and musical beauty.

Audiences in turn, may appreciate hearing these beloved masterpieces performed in a fresh voice – the wonderful lyrical expression of the euphonium!

No. 01

Granados, Enrique

Madrigal Romantic

No. 02

Schubert, Franz

Sonata for Arpeggione - First Movement Romantic

No. 03

Offenbach, Jacques

Les Larmes de Jacqueline Romantic

No. 04

Ravel, Maurice

Vocalise-étude Romantic

No. 05

Tchaikovsky, Pytor Ilyich

Andante Cantabile Romantic

No. 06

De Falla, Manuel

Ritual Firedance Romantic

No. 07

Fauré, Gabriel

Sicilienne Romantic

No. 08

Schubert, Franz

Moments Musicaux Romantic

No. 09

Toselli, Enrico

Serenata Romantic

No. 10

Bridge, Frank

Four Short Pieces Romantic

No. 11

Scarlatti, Alessandro

Sonata No. 1 in D minor Baroque

No. 12

Gabrielli, Domenico

Sonata No. 1 in G major Baroque

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THOMAS RÜEDI is a Swiss-born international euphonium artist, music educator and arranger.

His solo engagements have led him throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the USA. Thomas Rüedi’s solo CDs «Elégie» and «Madrigal», both featuring his own arrangements, received international recognition.

Thomas Rüedi is professor of euphonium and chamber music at Bern University of the Arts and Lucerne University of the Arts; as a guest professor he regularly gives master classes throughout Europe and overseas. Thomas Rüedi is also an acclaimed arranger and composer, thus supporting the further development and enrichment of the euphonium repertoire.

THOMAS RÜEDI is a BESSON performing artist.

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