Servais and Ghys - Variations brillantes et concertantes sur l’air God Save the King (Urtext Edition)

Variations brillantes et concertantes sur l’air “God Save the King” comes from the collaboration between François Servais and the French violinist Joseph Ghys. In Ghys’s catalog, the work appears as Op. 38 and grew out of an earlier version for violin and piano, Op. 23.

The autograph manuscript is in the hands of both composers. An earlier dedication to Général de Willmar, Ambassador of the King of the Belgians, was crossed out and replaced with a dedication to Meyerbeer. The title page notes that the piece was performed by the composers in their London concerts, and a later manuscript note records performances before British royalty in London in 1835 and in St. Petersburg in 1842.

The work opens with a majestic G minor introduction, followed by a transition with cadenzas for both instruments. The theme is then introduced by the violin, with the cello accompanying. Five numbered variations follow, along with two unnumbered variations before the final coda.

Our edition is based on the published score issued by Schlesinger around 1845, housed at the Servais Society, and the autograph manuscript parts in the hands of Ghys and Servais.

This set includes a score and separate parts.

ASTA Level: 6