Results
-
£80.00St. Magnus - Kenneth Downie
Dedicated to Alastair Massey, an inspirational music teacher. Commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association for the 2004 European Brass Band Championships in Glasgow. This music is a set of variations on the tune known as St Magnus, which is attributed to Jeremiah Clarke. Most people will associate it with Thomas Kelly's hymn which begins: "The Head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now". The tune is very simple, consisting of just two, four-bar phrases. Neither is there much in the way of rhythmic variety, every note being a crotchet with the exception of two quavers, and the last note in each phrase. Within such a simple structure, however, lies considerable strength. THEME The listener is given the opportunity of hearing it twice, in full, at the beginning, starting with one player but soon taken up by the full ensemble. It returns in the middle of the music and is stated again near the end. This has been done quite deliberately in the hope that there will be an appreciation of what material is being developed, by the listener as well as by those with access to the score, who are able to see the visual connections. VARIATION 1 This takes the rhythm of the last part of the theme and also uses the shape of the opening as a recurring figure. The mood is whimsical and skittish, with short, teasing rhythmic figures tossed around the band, and quick interplay with percussion, at a fast tempo. An energetic flourish finishes this variation before the Andante espress. VARIATION 2 This commences with chords related to the opening of Variation 1. The cantabile on solo comets establishes a new, lyrical mood and there is scope for expressive playing in a series of short solo passages. The theme works its way unobtrusively into the texture before a reprise of the solo cornet melody and some more lyrical interchanges between Eb bass, euphonium, flugel horn and comets. The variation ends serenely with clear references to the last phrase of the theme. VARIATION 3 The first idea to dominate is clearly linked to the shape of the theme's first phrase. There is a frenetic feel to much of this variation, with considerable energy and instability created by extensive use of cross-rhythms. A thinning-out of the score marks a clear change to development of the start of the second phrase of the theme. This proves to be short-lived however, and the opening material returns leading to a restatement of the theme, "Maestoso," after which a euphonium cadenza links to Variation 4. VARIATION 4 Here we have some solos for euphonium, cornet, trombone and Eb bass set against a background of horns and baritones presenting a pensive statement of the theme's opening. VARIATION 5 This commences Allegro, with lively work for cornet and euphonium spreading to the whole band before attention focuses on the beginning of the second phrase of the theme which is initially presented in diminution, then in regular rhythm, then in inversion. An increase in tempo coupled with a decrease in volume, requires dexterity and control, with several metrical challenges thrown in for good measure. The same fragment of phrase becomes an ostinato which generates a frenzied climax, punctuated by short, dramatic silence, before the opening figure returns and the music gradually winds down. The tubular bells herald the final return of the theme, in augmentation, marking the start of the Finale. FINALE This features the running semiquavers of the previous variation sounding in counterpoint. A fast, furious coda speeds the work to a conclusion while references to the opening of the theme are still trying to break into the texture of the music. Kenneth Downie
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£183.99Perihelion: Closer to the Sun (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Perihelion was commissioned by the Cory Band as their own-choice piece for the 2013 European Brass Band Championships, held in Oslo, Norway. Winning the set piece section of the contest and coming second to Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag with their own choice selection, Cory went on to become European Champions for the fifth time. Cory MD Philip Harper had asked for a 'Concerto for Band' to fully exploit his outstanding band of virtuosi, and composer Philip Sparke created a one-movement work with contiguous sections, first featuring horns and flugel, then trombones followed by cornets and a slower central section for percussion and baritones, euphonium and basses. The piece is abstract in nature, without a specific programme, and the title merely reflects the fact that the piece was begun on January 2nd 2013, the day of Earth's perihelion - the point in its orbit when it is closest to the sun. It could also be argued that the piece weaves between moments of brilliant optimism and dark shadow, both of which can be the result of bright sunshine.Duration: 19:15
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£69.99Willow Pattern (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Harper, Philip
Composed in 2009 for Nicholas Childs and the Black Dyke BandThis piece tells the Willow Pattern legend through music. Several leitmotifs are used both for the different characters and also for some of the important emotions in the tale. Additionally, Knoon-se's part is mainly played by the flugel horn, Chang by the euphonium, the Mandarin by the Eb Bass and the Duke Ta-jin by the trombone.The Willow Pattern Legend:Once, in ancient China, there lived a wealthy and powerful Mandarin who had a beautiful daughter, Knoon-se. She had fallen in love with Chang, a humble accountant, which angered her father who imprisoned her in the Pavilion by the river with only the exotic birds for company. She learnt that the Mandarin planned to marry her to the pompous Duke Ta-jin and that the wedding would take place on the day the blossom fell from the willow tree, so she sent Chang a message: "Gather thy blossom, ere it be stolen". The Duke arrived by sea amid great fanfare when the tree was heavy with bud, and nights of magnificent banquets followed. After one such occasion when the Mandarin slept, Chang crept over the crooked fence and tiptoed into the Pavilion to rescue Knoon-se, but as they escaped the alarm was raised. They fled over the bridge with the Mandarin close on their heels brandishing his whip. They managed to escape by boat to a secluded island where they lived happily for a time. Meanwhile, the Mandarin learned of their refuge and, intent on revenge, he ordered his soldiers to kill them. As Knoon-se and Chang slept at night, the men set fire to the pagoda in which they lived and the lovers perished in the flames. However, the Gods, moved by the lovers' plight, transformed their souls into two turtle-doves which rose from the charred remains, soaring above the Earth, symbolising eternal happiness.Willow Pattern is dedicated to the memory of Jean Harper who passed away as I was completing the piece and who was a great collector of porcelain and china-ware.Duration: 12:00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£64.95
ESPRIT (Brass Band) - Barry, Darrol
Esprit is a rhapsodic adventure for brass band and percussion.During its twelve minutes, features all soloists and sections of the band. After a vibrant opening the main melodic work is in the lower band accompanied by swirling cornets.The next section is a scherzo like section opened by the horns and closed by the timpani, and in between there are solo's for all.The following adagio is an expressive solo for euphonium accompanied by cup muted cornets and trombones, followed by a section for the flugel which builds up to the full band. A cornet cadenza follows after which a timpani solo takes us to a con brio section in 6/8 which features a round and fugato section which is followed by a slower section for trombones which in turn leads to a musical climax.A short allegro motto section develops an idea from earlier in the piece and leads us into a reprise of the opening section. A vibrant coda concludes the work.Duration: 12:00 Grade: Moderately Difficult
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£42.95Illuminate (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
Andrew WainwrightIlluminate was composed for the Chicago Staff Band's performance at The Salvation Army's Boundless International Congress 2015 at London's O2 Arena. The music takes the listener on a journey of a Christian life, a life that is called to be a light in this dark world. The work starts out in optimistic fashion, with various musical pictures describing the joy of someone who has just received Christ into their life. Referencing Matthew 5:14-16, 'And you beloved, are the light of the world, a city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden. Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp and then hide it under a bowl. When someone lights a lamp, she puts it on a table... and the light illuminates the entire house. You are like that illuminating light.' (The Voice)Three songs are featured, firstly Shine on us (Michael W. Smith), with references to Speak, O Lord (Keith Getty & Stuart Townend), which is later heard in its complete form in the middle section in a time of reflection. Here there is a plea to 'Speak, O Lord, as we come to You, to receive the power of Your Holy Word', before a declaration '...That the light of Christ might be seen today in our acts of love and our deeds of faith.' This time of challenge ends with the poignant promise sounded by Evangeline Booth's song, The World for God, in the solo flugel horn: 'The world for God! I give my heart! I'll do my part!'The final movement is full of unrelenting energy, with references again to Matthew 5:16: 'Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illuminate creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to me and may turn and praise your Father in Heaven because of it.' The song Shine on us returns in full glory as a call to the Lord to 'Let your light, light of your face, shine on us.' However, this time the tune is juxtaposed with both The World for God and Speak, O Lord, and the challenge for us all to go out into the world and be shining lights.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£34.95Elixir of Youth (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
Elixir of Youth (2013) was written for the 2013 Brass for Heroes charity event where it was premiered on 19th October 2013 at St Paul's Hall in Huddersfield under the baton of Philip Harper. The title of the work reflects the nature of the band that was put together for that premiere performance; an all-star youth band comprising a selection of the country's young brass banding talent, with the term Elixir referring here to the everlasting talent seen in young brass players throughout the United Kingdom's brass bands and bands' and teachers abilities to keep producing such high quality musicians for the banding movement.The work, structured in three sections, is a showcase for band with a heroic opening where fanfare-like gestures in the cornets and trombones juxtapose rapid euphonium and baritone runs, alongside sweeping horns and percussion effects. As the piece progresses, a grove is introduced - just in the tubas at first, accompanied by a hi-hat - before spreading through the band, definitely stuff to tap your toes to! The middle, slower section of the work sees both flugel and cornet solos, with additional inputs from the euphonium and solo horn before a climax and return to the tempo and music of the opening section. A rousing close concludes the work where all of the work's themes are interweaved to create a sense of power, unity and grandeur; an Elixir of Youth.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£35.74Prelude in C-sharp Minor (Brass Band) Rachmaninoff arr. Rob Bushnell
One of Sergei Rachmaninoff's most famous compositions, Prelude in C-sharp minor (Op. 3, No. 2) is part of a set of five pieces entitled Morceaux de fantaisie. It was written when Rachmaninoff was only 19 years old and was first performance by the composer on 26 September 1892 at a festival called the Moscow Electrical Exhibition. This arrangement is for the UK-style brass band, with alternative parts for horns in F and bass-clef lower brass. The piece has been transposed from the original (for piano) of C-sharp minor to A minor, which better suits a brass band. There is another arrangement of this piece by Sandy Smith (published by Obrasso) which is designed for more advanced ensembles. A recording of the original composition can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXGSfJn3nKQ Duration: Approx. 3.40 minutes Difficulty Level: 3rd Section + PDF download includes parts and score. Also includes alternative parts for horns in F and lower brass in bass clef. Sheet music available from www.brassband.co.uk Instrumentation: Soprano Cornet Eb Solo Cornet Bb Repiano Cornet Bb 2nd Cornet Bb 3rd Cornet Bb Flugel Horn Bb Solo Horn Eb 1st Horn Eb 2nd Horn Eb 1st Baritone Bb 2nd Baritone Bb 1st Trombone Bb 2nd Trombone Bb Bass Trombone Euphonium Bb Bass Eb Bass Bb Percussion 1-3
In stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 days
-
£63.54Horizon: The Promise of the Lord (Brass Band) Andrew Wainwright
Horizon: The Promise of the Lord was written at the request of Bandmaster Stephen Cobb for The International Staff Band. It is based on the much loved hymn of the church, Cwm Rhondda (Guide me O thou great Jehovah). The work was recorded on the ISB's CD Manuscripts II (released 2023). This highly descriptive piece will be an excellent addition to concert programs, as well as being appropriate as a test piece. The inspiration for the work comes from the book of Exodus. Whilst the music is not intended to be directly programmatic, like the hymn Cwm Rhondda, the work takes the listener through the Exodus from Egypt to the promised land of Israel as a metaphor of the spiritual pilgrimage of the individual Christian through his or her earthly life. The music aims to evoke a sense of God's guidance through strife and affirm the reality that God provides for us and redeems all the wrong in the world. This God who provided for the Hebrew people wandering amidst 'barren lands' with 'bread of heaven' is still and ever will be a God of provisional grace. Through listening to the music, it is the composer's intention that we are reminded of God's promise of Deliverance as set out in Exodus 6 v7-8: 'I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.' Like the hymn, Horizon: The Promise of the Lord is intended as a prayer for guidance. The Christian is a pilgrim through 'this barren land'. The music is often chromatic and in large parts verging on atonality, as a reflection of the strife that the Israelites endured in their 40 years in the wilderness. However, it ends in climactic fashion with the Hebrew people finally reaching their destination after many years of wandering in the desert - as they approach the 'Horizon' promised by the Lord. To view a performance of the work by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjOHf7QEw1g PDF download includes score and parts. Sheet music available from: UK - www.brassband.co.uk USA - www.cimarronmusic.com Difficulty Level: 1st Section + Length: c11.00 minutes Instrumentation: Soprano Cornet Eb Solo Cornet Bb Repiano Cornet Bb 2nd Cornet Bb 3rd Cornet Bb Flugel Horn Bb Solo Horn Eb 1st Horn Eb 2nd Horn Eb 1st Baritone Bb 2nd Baritone Bb 1st Trombone Bb 2nd Trombone Bb Bass Trombone Euphonium Bb Bass Eb Bass Bb Percussion 1-4
In stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 days
-
£35.55Fanfare Prelude - Now thank we all our God (Brass Band & Organ) arr. Downie
This rousing fanfare prelude for Brass Band and optional Organ by Kenneth Downie is based on the monumental hymn Now thank we all our God, which dates from 17th century Germany. The arrangement is featured on the CD Classic Hymns for Orchestra - The Symphonic Music of Kenneth Downie (available here) as a symphonic brass setting. The arranger writes: 'The depth of the words is underpinned by the grandeur of the music, so I have tried to reflect the same regal approach in my setting for brass band.' This arrangement will be an ideal opener or prelude for concerts or church services. To view a rolling score video of the work please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=olrdFskDfac PDF download includes score and parts. Additional parts for Horns in F, and Baritone, Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba in bass clef are available here. Sheet music available from: UK - www.brassband.co.uk USA - www.cimarronmusic.com Difficulty Level: 2nd Section + Length: 3.15 minutes Instrumentation: Soprano Cornet Eb Solo Cornet Bb 1st Cornet Bb 2nd Cornet Bb Flugel Horn Bb Solo Horn Eb 1st Horn Eb 2nd Horn Eb 1st Baritone Bb 2nd Baritone Bb 1st Trombone Bb 2nd Trombone Bb Bass Trombone Euphonium Bb Bass Eb Bass Bb Timpani Percussion 1-3 Organ (optional)
In stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 days
-
£35.55Fanfare Prelude on 'Richmond' (Brass Band) Charles Wesley arr. Andrew Wainwright
Fanfare Prelude on 'Richmond' was written for the inaugural Texas Brass Fest, held at Round Top Festival Institute on 27 May 2023, for the four premier brass bands in Texas - Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio Brass Bands. It is based on the much loved hymn of the church by Charles Wesley, which is also known as 'O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing', the first verse of which reads: O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace! For maximum effect it is suggested that cornets and trombones are staged stood around the band, although if this is not possible then traditional band formation will be acceptable. To view a video of the premiere performance featuring the massed bands of Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antionio at Texas Brass Fest 2023, please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=22GJM4A6mbM or the Chicago Staff Band at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjp8N_U9U2c PDF download includes score and full set of parts. Sheet music available from: UK - www.brassband.co.uk USA - www.solidbrassmusic.com Difficulty Level: 2nd Section + Instrumentation: Soprano Cornet Eb Cornets 1-5 Bb Flugel Horn Bb Solo Horn Eb 1st Horn Eb 2nd Horn Eb 1st Baritone Bb 2nd Baritone Bb 1st Trombone Bb 2nd Trombone Bb Bass Trombone Euphonium Bb Bass Eb Bass Bb Timpani Percussion 1-3
In stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 days
View Music