Rameau: Symphonies from Les Fêtes de l'Hymen et de l'Amour, RCT 38
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- Composer: Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)
- Editor: Thomas Soury
- Format: Full Score
- Instrumentation (this edition): Orchestra
- Originally for: Opera
- Work: Les Fêtes de l'Hymen et de l'Amour, RCT 38
- ISMN:
- Size: 9.4 x 13.0 inches
- Pages: 60
- Urtext / Critical Edition
Description
Rameau's "Les Fêtes de l'Hymen et de l'Amour" was long considered second-rate because its première was associated with a political event. Yet this ballet abounds in novel dramaturgical effects that foreshadow his later operas, such as "Zaïs", "Zoroastre" and "Les Boréades". Working together with his librettist Cahusac, Rameau sought to weave the dance numbers, choruses and stage machinery more tightly into the main plot. He also experimented with stylistic devices unique to this work, the most famous being unquestionably the scene in which the Nile overflows its banks (an impressive ten-voice double chorus with solo voices and orchestra) and the sextet from "Aruéris", a scoring found nowhere else in his œuvre.
For the first time, this scholarly-critical edition of "Les Fêtes de l'Hymen et de l'Amour" presents a reference version of the work that is based on all the Major sources for both the libretto and the music, including two recent musical discoveries. As most of the performance material for the première has vanished, our edition is based on the version prepared for the Académie Royale de Musique in 1748.
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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.
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Full Score
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Paperback
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Performance / Playing Score
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Set of Parts
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Solo Part with Piano Reduction
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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
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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.
Rameau: Symphonies from Les Fêtes de l'Hymen et de l'Amour,...
