Thomas Rüedi Solo Series
FOUR SHORT PIEC ES FR A NK BR ID GE (18 7 9 –19 41)
10 SOLO WORK NO
Transcribed for Euphonium by
THOMAS RÜEDI
Thomas Rüedi Solo Series
FOUR SHORT PIEC ES F R A N K BR I D GE (18 7 9 –19 41)
Transcribed for Euphonium by THOMAS RÜEDI
PREFACE THE WORK
«Four Short Pieces H.1041» was composed in 1912. Most commonly referred to as «Four Short Pieces for Violin», but the piece was actually simultaneously realized by the composer himself for either violin or cello. Bridge at this time commonly wrote pieces swimming in the romantic colors created by his clean harmonies and simple melodies; this set of pieces is no exception.
THE FORM
In the very typical Bridgian fashion of this time, these four pieces were constructed using simple song forms that are calling cards of Bridge’s music pre World War I. Meditation: A-B-A’ Spring Song: A-B-A’ Lullaby: fantasy Country Dance: A-A-B-A’ As you can see the exception in the group above is «Lullaby», which is written in a shortened fantasy (or phantasy) form. Bridge is no stranger to the fantasy, but it was generally reserved for his early chamber music works, and seldom in compositions for instrumental solo. In «Lullaby» Bridge never loses touch with his melodic material, even though it continuously evolves and the melodic contours are always changing, instilling a sense of improvisation. The improvisational element is not only interesting but necessary or else it would be a fantasy in classical terms. Bridge’s interest in the form came from the Cobbett Chamber Music Medal, a competition held by Walter Cobbett who was interested in bringing back the fantasy form, which had, until the early 1900’s, been largely forgotten since the Baroque period.
PERFORMANCE CONSIDERATION
These pieces work quite nicely together on a program, but the collection does not need to be, and often is not, performed as a whole. Each piece can easily stand alone. These pieces are very simple and beautiful, and should be played as such. The music of Frank Bridge shines brightest when it remains the music of Frank Bridge. Nothing complicated. This is honest music. Remember that these pieces were written with both the violin and cello in mind. This can be helpful to draw upon in order to bring out different colors from your sound’s color pallet. While the setting of this music at a glance is solo with piano, that would not be a fair assessment. This is chamber music, and as such demands the true sensitivity and open two-way communication that chamber music demands.
THE ARRANGEMENT
This piece was arranged for euphonium due to the instrument’s ability to produce colors and textures similar to cello. The melody of this Romance lends itself to the characteristics of the euphonium quite nicely. The piece is originally in D Major, but was transposed down a major third to Bb Major.
THE COMPOSER
á February 26, 1879 in Brighton, England † January 10, 1941 in Eastbourne, England Frank Bridge was an English-born composer, conductor, and violist. Well known for his outstanding musicianship, allowing him to take over conducting duties for concerts last minute with orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra on a regular basis. Bridge was also well known as a fantastic chamber music musician, holding the violist position with both the Joachim Quartet and the London String Quartet. Bridge famously had only one compositional student, Benjamin Britten. Britten sang Bridge’s praises as a teacher and mentor, and even at the end of Britten’s life he said he never achieved the level of compositional technique that Bridge had set for him. Deeply affected by the First World War because of his strong pacifist beliefs, his mentality and therefore his compositional style changed significantly in the later part of his life to include much more dissonance and focus on form, as opposed to his more melodically driven music from before the war. His piano sonata (1921–1924) marks his transformation to a composer who no longer sees the world through innocent, naive eyes. The audiences’ perception of his music was always a consideration in his earlier compositions; his music told stories. From his piano sonata on, he begins asking questions, the audience is no longer a concern of Bridge; his sense of tonality and rhythm became jagged and tattered. With that said, he never loses his compositional identity, it is just displayed through a thick jaded filter. So jaded in fact, that he became sour about his later music not getting any attention and the spotlight staying on his earlier material, which he then viewed as insignificant.
MILESTONES
1906 Joined the acclaimed Joachim Quartet 1913 First appearance as conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra 1923 Bridge goes to U.S. to lead concerts with the New York, Boston, Cleveland, and Detroit Symphonies in concerts of his music.
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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