Klarinet Archive - Posting 000291.txt from 2002/05

From: Oliver Seely <oseely@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] New music files added.
Date: Sat, 11 May 2002 11:26:05 -0400

I've added the .MUS and MIDI files for Notturno, B. 202.5, by I.J. Pleyel
to my Web page.
It was composed for two horns, two hurdy-gurdies, two clarinets, two violas
and bass.
It's a gentle piece, not particularly challenging for any of the musicians,
but an interesting addition to chamber music literature. Grove says the
following about its origin:

"During the early 1780s Pleyel traveled in Italy. Through Norbert Hadrava,
an ardent music lover and part time composer attached to the Austrian
embassy in Naples, Pleyel was asked to compose lyra (hurdy-gurdy) pieces
for performance by Ferdinand IV, the Lazzarone King of Naples; Hadrava had
instructed the king in an elaborate version of the instrument, and also
procured commissions for Haydn and Sterkel. Two of Pleyel's works for the
hurdy-gurdy survive in autographs (Benton 202 and 202.5)"

I haven't added the hurdy-gurdy drone pitch to the MIDI file. I couldn't
find one that sounded better than ghastly. I leave that to all you live
hurdy-gurdy players!

My Web page address for you newcomers is

http://www.csudh.edu/oliver/clarmusi/clarmusi.htm

Happy playing, all!

Oliver

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