12 Kanons
CANON I - Anonymous (18th Century)
CANON II - Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842)
CANON III - Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842)
CANON IV - Karl Gottlieb Hering (1766-1853)
CANON V - Padre G.B. Martini (1706-1784)
CANON VI (Difficile lectu) - W.A. Mozart (1756-1791)
CANON VII - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1526-1594)
CANON VIII - Henry Purcell (1658-1695)
CANON IX - Antonio Salieri (1750-1825)
CANON X - Antonio Salieri (1750-1825)
CANON XI - Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
CANON XII - Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
Good ensemble playing is characterized by uniformity of pitch, articulation, tone color and dynamic gradation, all sustained within flowing pulse. These canonic selections are offered to train this musical ideal. As the subjects are introduced, use your imitative skills to create a spirit of sharing and conversation. Wherever possible, play off the full scores, so you may glimpse deeper into the composer’s mind. Remain mindful of a fundamental principle promoting clarity - when your part is static, it is generally not as significant as the moving lines.
I’m indebted to my student and engraver Andrew Kesten - his interest to make this music available has been constant during the long arch of our friendship. I am also appreciative to three outstanding musicians drawn from the US Coast Guard Band in New London, CT/ Chief Musicians James Jackson III, Adam Crowe, and Stephen Lamb. Along with Steve Perry (Principal Tubist of both the Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA symphonies), these fine players criticallyassisted the final touches of this edition.
Finally, this book is gratefully dedicated to all my students - past, present and future. You have taught me more than you will ever know. (Dave Kirk)