1. 'Neath the Dublin Skies - Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Price: £34.95
'Neath the Dublin Skies was written for David Childs and first performed by him with Cory Band during their tour of Ireland in September 2007. The music is certainly Irish in nature featuring an atmospheric introduction, ornamented reel, lyrical melody and a high-spirited jig. With multi-phonics and lip glissandi amongst the challenges set for the soloist, the music is a lot of fun to perform and a welcome addition to the euphonium solo repertoire. 'Neath the Dublin Skies can be heard on the CD Celtic Charm (CD 24901) on which the performers are David Childs and Cory Band.
2. 1812 Overture - Tchaikovsky arr. Robert Childs
Price: £49.95
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture is amongst the most energising of compositions. It was written to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon by Russia and his ignominious retreat from Moscow. This is a new arrangement for brass band by Robert Childs and, although the arrangement is shorter in duration than the original, it doesn't fluctuate from the original key structure making this version the most authentic to date. The arrangement features full orchestral percussion including tubular bells and canon together with optional organ and fanfare brass groups.
3. A Celtic Charm - Philip Wilby
Price: £24.95
A Celtic Charm was originally written as a solo for flute with piano accompaniment. It is dedicated to Peter and Norma Wilson and received its first performance on the occasion of their wedding, being performed by the composer and his daughter Sarah. Re-scored for euphonium and brass band, this emotive composition is the title track of the CD Celtic Charm (CD 24901) on which the performers are David Childs and Cory Band.
4. A Christmas Finale - Paul Lovatt-Cooper
Price: £34.95
As the title suggests, A Christmas Finale provides an ideal close to any Christmas concert. Paul Lovatt-Cooper has taken a collection of popular works associated with Christmas and expertly crafted this wonderful piece to provide both the listener and performer with an exciting Christmas musical experience.A note from the composer; "I love the magic of Christmas. I find the whole experience exciting, from the handing out of presents to the movies shown on television. However, it is the music I love the most, from Christmas carols to Christmas number ones, it all adds to the unique atmosphere and sense of joviality associated with this wonderful time of year. A Christmas Finale captures my yuletide emotions and will hopefully provide enjoyment for you too! Merry Christmas."A Christmas Finale was composed at the request of Nicholas Childs and Black Dyke Band and recorded by the same performers on CD24782 The Black Dyke Christmas Carol.
5. A Long Ride in a Static Machine - Phil Lawrence
Price: £34.95
Inspired by the composers experience of the M25 motorway, A Long Ride in a Static Machine is a quirky up-beat concert item which takes both band and audience on a journey featuring the sound of road works, juggernaut multi-horns, fender-benders and police sirens!
6. A Tear in the Fabric of Time - Gareth Wood
Price: £64.95
A Tear in the Fabric of Time is essentially a symphony for brass band and was inspired by Brian Greene's book, The Elegant Universe, which attempts to simplify complex ideas in modern physics for the layperson. A brassy, fanfare-like introduction provides much of the material for the rest of the work. This leads into a dramatic Allegro driving forward with brittle motives and stabbing chords. A euphonium melody, accompanied by divided tubas, attempts to mellow the mood but is unsuccessful as the music drives ruthlessly on! The centre of the work is a chorale-like Adagio; maybe the blackness of space or the darkness of human nature. A short episode leads into a Presto (a re-working of the first Allegro) relentlessly careering to a violent end!
7. Absolute Reality (Euphonium Solo) - with piano accompaniment - Peter Meechan
Price: £14.95
Absolute Reality was composed following the devastating terrorist attacks carried out in the USA on September 11th 2001. The work is in no way an In Memoriam to 9/11 but one persons reaction to an event that shook the world, told through his music.The title of this work comes from Howl, a poem by Allen Ginsberg. During the poem Ginsberg writes of many talented and promising young friends who were destroyed, either killed or broken as people by American society. Throughout the entire poem, Ginsberg only uses capital letters for people and place names. However, two-thirds through the poem he writes of one of his friends being
run over by taxicabs of ABSOLUTE REALITY
. It was the true absolute reality of 9/11 that led Peter Meechan to write this work commissioned and premiered by David Thornton in November 2001.
8. Amidst a Celtic Dream - Benjamin Tubb
Price: £34.95
This is an original composition for euphonium and brass band from the pen of bright young composing talent, Benjamin Tubb. The work begins with an expressive lament incorporating a clever quote from Amazing Grace, a melody associated by many with Celtic Scotland but known to be of American origin. Following an expressive cadenza, the music moves quickly through a variety of styles featuring complex rhythms before arriving at a grandstand close. Amidst a Celtic Dream was commissioned by, and composed for, David Childs and can be heard on the CD Celtic Charm (CD 24901) on which the performers are David Childs and Cory Band.
9. An American Tale - Dan Price
Price: £34.95
Written as the finale of Cory Band's programme at Brass in Concert 2008, An American Tale is a musical tribute to the American Civil War. The work includes The Battle Hymn of the Republic, The Girl I Left Behind, Kingdom Come, Yankee Doodle Dandy, The Soldiers Return, Turkey in the Straw and concludes with Amazing Grace, a song synonymous with slavery and selected to conclude the work as a reflection of the war's primary goal. Each of the songs is scored in a psuedo-compositional style of an American composer including John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Charles Ives and Leonard Bernstein.
10. An Evening Prayer from 'Hansel and Gretel'- Englebert Humperdinck arr. Robert Childs
Price: £24.95
'An Evening Prayer' is from Act II of Humperdink's fairy opera 'Hansel and Gretel'. The libretto, written by Humperdinck's sister Adelheid Wette, is based on the Grimms' 'Hansel and Gretel'. The scene is set in a scary forest at night and Hansel and Gretel are frightened. A caring sandman comforts and reassures them. He tells them that fourteen angels will protect them until morning. This arrangement was made for Brass Band Aid and recorded by Buy As You View Band on the compilation CD Brass Band Aid - Into Africa (CD 24809).