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£44.95Princethorpe Variations (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Downie, Kenneth
Colourful harmony, rhythmic flair and melodic invention are the hallmarks of this excellent set of variations by Kenneth Downie, based on the well known church tune, Princethorpe.This major work demonstrates the well-known characteristics of the composer: colourful harmony, rhythmic flair and melodic invention, all encapsulated in scoring which is engulfing both to players and listeners alike. Following a presentation of the theme there are five variations culminating in what can be described as either a finale or coda.Theme. The composer shows his originality in the harmonic sense of this introduction. Perhaps it could be suggested that over-indulgence of rubato may be a temptation to be avoided.Sections A to F. Relentless rhythmic drive is of paramount importance in this first variation. Conscientious observance of dynamics is of course an essential requirement in conveying the exciting quality of the music; there are moments of sudden contrast of which all will need to be aware. Moving between the time-signatures of 5/4 and 6/4 these sections are built from strong easily-identifiable fragments of the theme. These is a significant increase in temp at letter F which will further the exciting impact of the music.Sections G & H. In a pastorale style this short, gentle variation affords a contrast in style between the previous and succeeding ones. The gentle undulating character of the melodic lines is governed by the Allegretto grazioso directive.Sections I to M. Commencing two bars before letter I the music is now exuberant and the tempo and style is that of a march in compound time. In this exhilarating movement there are moments of contrast and indeed of delicacy which are a foil to the more energetic moments. Rhythmic control will be essential to maintain a consistent tempo. As elsewhere in the work, the percussion section will contribute much to the success of the performance there are bars where this section alone is heard and there are important entries for glockenspiel.Sections N & O. With emotional content this Adagio variation has the first two notes of the melody as its melodic impetus. Apart from just over two bars at O (where there is an interpolatory phrase from Cornets and Trombones), the melodic line is entrusted to the plaintive sounds of the horn section. Cornets and Trombones provide a change of tone colour at the beginning of section O. Under a poco rall, this very expressive variation is concluded; there is an important link supplied by Eb Bass.Sections P & Q. A lively march-tempo is launched immediately and these sections are in the nature of an introduction to the final variations. There is a quickening of pace at Q which assists the generation of excitement which should be an essential part of the performance. Solo Cornets introduce a melodic line at Q which anticipates the compound time of the following section.Sections R & S. The Solo Cornet theme of the previous section is now a contrapuntal line accompanying the theme tune. With an elongation of the notes in the melody, the conductor will need to call on the sustaining powers of the band and at no time should the interesting accompanying lines be allowed to detract from the sonorous presentation of the basic theme.Sections T, U & V. Following a poco rit, the finale begins at letter T with the directive, molto vivace. There is much detail to be rehearsed, not least being the dynamic contrasts which are encountered. As throughout the work, the listener should have no difficulty in identifying the thematic sources of the composer's music.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99Festivus Americas (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Bulla, Stephen
Dedicated to the North American Brass Band Association, this is music that is full of energy and dynamic extremes. In form it draws from the overture style, although the themes are self-existing and the piece is programmatic. Working well as a festival opener, it sets a mood of excitement. Following the rhythmic fanfares of the opening, the first theme is presented in the cornets followed by a return to the same rhythmic material. A second theme appears in the horn section and is developed, changing into a darker and sinister form of the same motif. Eventually a Maestoso section is reached, full of sustained block chords in the cornets and trombones, as the rest of the band counters with cascading lines that weave straight through the brighter instruments. Duration: 5.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£44.95Reflections (Flugel and Tenor Horn Duet with Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Graham, Peter
Duet for Flugel and Tenor Horn or Two Bb Cornets from War of the Worlds SuiteEach movement of War of the Worlds is available separately allowing for a variety of "mini-suite" combinations eg: Movements 1,2 and 5 or 3,4 and 5 etc. For movements 1, 4 and 5 see the BB Concert Music tab. Complete suite also available.Reflections is the second movement of the suite War of the Worlds which was commissioned by the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Saxophone Orchestra and first performed by them in the Maeda Hall, Japan on June 29 2012, the composer conducting. The music is dedicated to Professor Shin-ichi Iwamoto. The transcription for brass band was first performed by the Brighouse & Rastrick Band, conductor David King, in the Bridgewater Hall Manchester on September 8 2012.The suite takes inspiration from the 1953 film script adaptation of the famous HG Wells novel and key scenes from the film are set as individual movements: Reflections - here mankind contemplates a life forever changed as the invaders progress their colonisation of Planet Earth.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.95Strange New Worlds (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Graham, Peter
Strange New Worlds was commissioned by Nicholas Childs for the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain with funds provided by Arts Council England.The COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary for the 2020 course to transition from residential to virtual and the work was designed to accommodate this change. The participants individually filmed themselves to a click track and the videos were collated to create a "virtual" performance. The premiere was streamed live on YouTube on August 7, 2020.The work is in 5 movements with a narrative dictated by the individual movement titles. Although to me this narrative is clearly defined, multiple scenarios present themselves. Some may interpret the story as being one from the ancients while others might identify with the science-fiction of H.G. Wells. Others still will relate to the recent surge of interest in 1980s culture and the Netflix series Stranger Things (to which the title of my work pays homage). Nor would it be unreasonable to consider the piece an analogy reflecting events in 2020. Listeners will decide the story (or message) for themselves.The five movements are: I. Things to Come; II. Descent to Darkness (featuring Cornets, Trombones and Percussion); III. Resistance (featuring Horns, Baritones, Euphoniums, Basses and Percussion); IV/V. Aftermath/A New HopeDuration: 8.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£99.99Sparkling Brass (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Sparkling Brass was commissioned by Osaka Concert Brass, one of Japan's top brass bands, and premiered by them on 27th December 2018 during a concert which celebrated their 10th Anniversary. The work opens in lively mood with fanfare-style figures from the lower band which are answered by the cornets. This interplay intensifies until the mood calms suddenly to introduce a chorale which leads to a duet-cadenza for cornet and euphonium. The rhythmic mood of the opening soon returns and leads to the main theme of the work, a modal caccia which features various section of the band. A short bridge passage leads to a change of key and a new cantabile theme which is introduced by euphoniums and baritone. This is taken up by the full band after another change of key and leads back to the caccia theme. A transformed version of the opening fanfare returns to close the work.Duration: 5.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£89.95TRUMPETS OF THE ANGELS - 2016 Edition (Gregson) (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Gregson, Edward
The Trumpets of the Angels is a large-scale work, scored for seven solo trumpets (or cornets), brass band and percussion (deploying 'dark' instruments such as three tam-tams, bass drum and two sets of timpani). The genesis of the work is a quotation from the Book of Revelation ... and I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.Thus the idea behind the work is highly dramatic and I have tried to achieve this by the spatial deployment of seven solo trumpets around the band. Trumpet 7 remains separate from the band throughout and, indeed, has the most dramatic and extended cadenza, representing the words of the seventh angel ... and time shall be no more.The work opens with a four-note motif announced by off-stage horns and baritones and answered by fanfare figures on four solo trumpets. In turn, each then play cadenzas before joining together, independently playing their own music. This leads to a sung Kyrie Eleison with accompanying solos for Flugel Horn and Baritone, after which we hear the entry of solo trumpets 5 and 6 with music that is more urgent and rhythmic, describing the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.The music reaches another climax, more intense this time, with the horns and baritones (now on-stage) again sounding the transformed motif, before subsiding into what might be described as a lament of humanity - slow, yearning music, which builds from low to high, from soft to loud, with a melody that is both simple and poignant. At its climax, Trumpet 7 makes a dramatic entry, playing the opening four-note motif, but expanded to almost three octaves. This cadenza (to the partial accompaniment of 3 tam-tams, representing the Holy Trinity) introduces new material and foreshadows the ensuing Scherzo, introduced by antiphonal timpani before the band enters with music that is fast and foreboding. Despite the somewhat desolate and 'unstable' mood of this music, it slowly moves towards an optimistic conclusion, transforming the 'humanity' music into an affirmative and triumphant statement.The original version of The Trumpets of the Angels was commissioned by the Fodens Band for their centenary concert at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, in 2000, and contained an important part for organ. In 2015 I was asked by Nicholas Childs to create a New Performing Edition for the Black Dyke Band; without organ, and including newly composed material. This New Performing Edition was given its first performance at the European Brass Band Festival in Lille in April 2016. The work is dedicated In tribute to Olivier Messiaen.- Edward Gregson
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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