Alerting those interested to a German publisher of rare scores

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I don't usually make publicity for shops, but I think the following might be of interest to our score-loving members here...

Yesterday I searched the Internet to see whether I could get a score of Albéric Magnard's marvellous Chant funèbre. I found a publisher in Munich, Musikproduktion Jürgen Höflich. Here is their 'pitch':


Miniature scores that you won't find anywhere else

As we all know, the repertoire of classical concert music is shrinking every day. Little-known pieces are vanishing into oblivion and hardly ever performed, unless by some quirk of fate they should become fashionable. Our new project is a direct and idealistic response to this unfortunate trend.

We produce miniature scores of unjustly neglected works. Our publications are designed for study purposes and include references for ordering performance material. Often the only reason for a work's neglect is unlucky circumstances. We feel that accessibility is crucial: only then can a work's musical value and viability be properly assessed. We ensure that our scores are affordable by a broad musical readership - conductors, chamber musicians, musicologists, critics, students, collectors and music lovers.

We offer two series of study scores:

REPERTOIRE EXPLORER Study size full scores from chamber to symphonic music

OPERA EXPLORER Study size full scores of operas

Hence we keep our scores at prices far lower than the original publishers can afford.

Every score includes a new scholarly preface with information on the work's genesis, performance history and, if applicable, its program, among many other things. Most of the prefaces are available online.

Why not take a look at our library of rare scores? Every month sees new additions to our growing list of rarities that have either never been available in miniature format or have long been out of print.

And here is the relevant link:

http://www.musikmph.de/musical_scores/information/information.html

[Maciek]

Hm, their home page has a list of recent additions to the catalogue. It includes Ravel's Ma Mère l'oye and Szymanowski's VC no. 2.......

But seriously, I'm very grateful for the link, Johan. I can't remember the last time I bought a score. Maybe this is the right moment. Or maybe I'll wait until they add some less common Moniuszko to their listings. [added after looking at the composers list:] Any Moniuszko at all, in fact.

And surely, any Opera-user is obliged to order the entire output of Bork, er, Borck. I see they have a couple of pieces.

[Maciek]

They overstate the attractiveness of the prices a bit, though. 0:)

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

They overstate the attractiveness of the prices a bit, though. 0:)

I agree. Still - I think their Karlowicz and other Magnard scores, among scrumptious others, won't be safe for me the coming months (yes, I'll have to spread it).

[(poco) Sforzando]

They overstate the attractiveness of the prices a bit, though. 0:)

As well as the rarity of some of their offerings. (Ravel's Mother Goose? the Berlioz Te Deum? come on, now.) I would also like to know if anyone has actually received any scores from them. I've had an item ordered from them through Patelson's in NY for over a month now.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

As well as the rarity of some of their offerings. (Ravel's Mother Goose? the Berlioz Te Deum? come on, now.) I would also like to know if anyone has actually received any scores from them. I've had an item ordered from them through Patelson's in NY for over a month now.

Hm, strange. I ordered yesterday evening and got a confirmation today, in which a friendly lady told me my score had been posted! But I live relatively nearby, of course. Distance shouldn't matter, though.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Hm, strange. I ordered yesterday evening and got a confirmation today, in which a friendly lady told me my score had been posted! But I live relatively nearby, of course. Distance shouldn't matter, though.

Maybe I should order through you.

[Maciek]

I agree. Still - I think their Karlowicz and other Magnard scores, among scrumptious others, won't be safe for me the coming months (yes, I'll have to spread it).

You could also try here (or here). Most of the symphonic poems are in stock and some are quite cheap (Odwieczne pieśni is 10 PLN!!!)

As well as the rarity of some of their offerings. (Ravel's Mother Goose? the Berlioz Te Deum? come on, now.)

Yes, that's what I meant when I mentioned the Ravel and Szymanowski...


BTW, Luke, are you around? You should take a look here (or here).

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

You could also try here (or here). Most of the symphonic poems are in stock and some are quite cheap (Odwieczne pieśni is 10 PLN!!!)

Yes, that's what I meant when I mentioned the Ravel and Szymanowski...

Yes, that's very cheap - 10.00 PLN = 2.80 EUR... BUT - only for Poles. For me it would be €10.00! (Look at the English language page...)

All the same - thanks for the suggestion, Maciek!

Re Luke - he's composing, I think.

[Maciek]

I don't think there's any law forbidding foreigners to order through the Polish language page. It's a traditional communist custom to have two sets of prices, one for the natives and one for foreigners. Because foreigners are bloodthirsty imperialists and it's only fair to steal from them. No, fair is not the right word. It's the thing one ought to do - it is one's obligation, one's moral duty to steal from the stinking foreigners (no matter what nationality), to steal as much from them as one can. To be frank, I'm not even sure if the procedure is legal anymore. It's a barbarous, primitive, idiotic, outrageous custom. The people responsible should be sacked and imprisoned. Well, at least demoted. I can't even begin to say how ashamed I am for them. (And for the people at DUX, who had the nerve to instate a similar system.)

I'm willing to assist anyone who would like to bypass this ridiculous communist decree.

[Szykneij]

Speaking of scores, I just got this link from another list which may be of interest to many here:

The International Music Score Library Project! IMSLP attempts to create a virtual library containing all public domain musical scores, as well as scores from composers who are willing to share their music with the world without charge.

http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Speaking of scores, I just got this link from another list which may be of interest to many here:

The International Music Score Library Project! IMSLP attempts to create a virtual library containing all public domain musical scores, as well as scores from composers who are willing to share their music with the world without charge.

http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page

Yes, this is THE best site to get many many scores for free. A real treasure trove.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I received the score I had ordered today: Albéric Magnard's sublime Chant funèbre. A very clean and clear reprint. Contact with the publisher went very smoothly, so no complaints there.

How is your order going, Sf?

[(poco) Sforzando]

I received the score I had ordered today: Albéric Magnard's sublime Chant funèbre. A very clean and clear reprint. Contact with the publisher went very smoothly, so no complaints there.

How is your order going, Sf?

Finally got it. Three concert overtures by Elgar. The Cockaigne arrived missing three pages, but since I have another copy I'm not going to make an issue of it.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Finally got it. Three concert overtures by Elgar. The Cockaigne arrived missing three pages, but since I have another copy I'm not going to make an issue of it.

That's not good. Did that happen in transit? I trust they were there originally, otherwise it would certainly be something to make an issue of!

[(poco) Sforzando]

That's not good. Did that happen in transit? I trust they were there originally, otherwise it would certainly be something to make an issue of!

No, it was clearly a printing defect. But if I brought it up to them I'd have to send the score back, and wait for another copy, which would take a good three months more.

I guess I can send them a digital picture to prove the error.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

No, it was clearly a printing defect. But if I brought it up to them I'd have to send the score back, and wait for another copy, which would take a good three months more.

I guess I can send them a digital picture to prove the error.

Do you want me to intercede on your behalf? Though you would be forced, Lohengrin, to reveal your name. 

Elsa

[(poco) Sforzando]

Do you want me to intercede on your behalf? Though you would be forced, Lohengrin, to reveal your name. 

Elsa

Yes, but remember what happened when Elsa became too curious.

If it's convenient, perhaps you could ask if their printing of the three Elgar concert overtures is missing the last 3-4 pages of the Cockaigne. In the Boosey and Hawkes score, it concludes with an obvious big C major final cadence and double bar. The copy I received is missing those last pages. Thanks very much.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Yes, but remember what happened when Elsa became too curious.

It's worth it.

If it's convenient, perhaps you could ask if their printing of the three Elgar concert overtures is missing the last 3-4 pages of the Cockaigne. In the Boosey and Hawkes score, it concludes with an obvious big C major final cadence and double bar. The copy I received is missing those last pages. Thanks very much.

I'll mail Evelyne Höflich.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Sforzando, look here:

Dear Mr. Herrenberg,
thanks a lot for your hint in your forum.
Concerning  Elgar's concert overture Cockaigne I had a
look into the score right away.   I'm sorry to say that
Sforzando is completely right. As a matter of fact 3 pages
are missing. Nobody noticed it till today.
A salute to Sforzando !
We are going to emend the mistake directly.
If we get name and address of Sforzando we will send him
a complete version.
The chances to make mistakes are legendary  - that is why
the alertness of many eyes is most most welcome.

Thank you again and best wishes from autumnal Munich

Jürgen Höflich

His email address is: hoeflich@musikmph.de