Breitkopf & Härtel is the longest-standing music publisher in the world, having first opened as a small Leipzig music printing shop in 1719. 2019 marked 300 years since the inception of the company, with its vast music-publishing catalogue continuing to make it a leader in its field.
Joseph Haydn's Violoncello Concerto in D major (Hob. VIIb:2) was edited by François-Auguste Gevaert for the violoncello and orchestra. It was published by Breitkopf & Härtel and consists of a piano score and a solo part. It runs for around 27 minutes and has 40 pages.
Joseph Joachim's Hebrew Melodies, Op. 9, were composed in 1854-55, 40 years after the poems that inspired them. Lord Byron and Isaac Nathan published 29 songs called Hebrew Melodies in 1815, now known as poems. Joachim, a Jewish composer, drew from similar liturgical sources as Nathan and composed his work with three movements. Breitkopf & Härtel published this edition for viola and piano.
Elgar composed La Capricieuse Morceau de Genre for violin and piano when he was 34. The piece was once popular and was even performed by Heifetz.
The "Lied ohne Worte" (Song without Words) in D major, Op. 109 is a unique posthumous piece of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) arranged for Cello and Piano by Michael Denhoff, published by Breitkopf & Härtel. This character piece was created in 1845 and was dedicated by the composer to "Miss Lisa Cristiani".
Mozart composed 12 Duets for Violin and Viola during the Classical period. The solo instruments are stapled, and the score is published by Breitkopf and Haertel (BR.EB-3979). The 16-page score is a delightful blend of the two instruments, with intricate harmonies and melodious tunes. It's a must-have for any classical music lover.
Mozart's "Romantic Sonatas" for violin and piano have uncertain authorship. The original autographs are missing, and the publisher, Breitkopf & Härtel, doubted their authenticity. Konstanze, Mozart's wife, offered the sonatas to the publisher in 1799, but they were disappointed and requested the original manuscript. However, it could not be found, adding to Konstanze's doubts.
Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 364 (320d), was composed in 1779 during his tour of Europe. This piece is a cross-over of symphony and concerto and showcases Mozart's exceptional musical talent. The piece's three movements are filled with intricate melodies, harmonies, and rhythms that demonstrate the complexity and depth of the composition. Its average performance time is half an hour.
Max Reger's Romance in G Major WoO II/10 was written as an addition to the Neue Musik-Zeitung. The piece was published in 1910 for violin and piano and later adapted for other solo instruments. Despite its popularity, Reger was not fond of the piece, calling it "an occasional piece of the worst kind - for me!"
Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" is an enchanting orchestral piece from "The Tale of Czar Saltan" that has captured the hearts of many. Despite its popularity, only some know its origin. The captivating melody has made it a favourite among musicians, and it is arranged for solo instruments.
The Toccata capricciosa op. 36 is a solo instrument work by Miklós Rózsa. It is a radical departure from his monumental film scores, with a maximum scoring reduction to bring back pure music. The piece was dedicated to Gregor Piatigorsky, follows an ABA' form, and contrasts virtuosic and furioso outbursts with a lyrical and almost meditative section. The tonal centre of the piece remains recognizable as D minor.
Schubert, the famous Austrian composer, created various musical pieces full of innocent and sensitive melodies, rich creativity, and romantic emotions. He's a pioneer of romantic music with no formal concerto and only three similar works. One of his masterpieces is the Rondo in A major for violin and string orchestra D438, which was adapted for violin performance.
