Results
-
£30.00Roots - Lucy Pankhurst
Commissioned by Katrina Marzella in 2008, this modern 'duet' for Baritone and Euphonium soloists with brass band accompaniment has been inspired by 'nature and environment' as its primary muse. The music takes the listener through 7 stages of environmental atmosphere, in its combination of sounds and effects. It is a very uplifting work and with the back-story in mind (see programme notes below), it makes for an incredibly effective concert feature.Programme notes from the composer, Lucy Pankhurst:There are 7 main sections in the piece :RainGerminationGrowthTransionSunshineRainstormRestThe work begins with Rain, symbolised by the rainstick and 'rain sounds' in the brass , which allows the themes to germinate. The 'roots' of the music themselves, are firmly established in the tonic (root Eb) and 5ths in the low brass, from which the solo lines eventually grow, using triads and 5ths.During Growth, the solo baritone and euphonium begin with separate melodies which begin to twist around each other (much like tree roots), interlocking to produce harmonies and counterpoint, complimenting one another and firmly keeping the music in Eb major. Muted cornets and trombones continue to play overlapping semiquavers, reflecting the raindrops as they fall from the trees and leaves.A brief interlude, featuring brass sextet drives the music back to its Germination stage - here, named Transion, as it grows once more, evolving into something new. The Sunshine section is a dance. Moving rapidly through different keys, the warm sunlight catches on the dewy foliage, creating dazzling moments of clarity and beauty.However, the change in conditions also lead to brief moments of uncertainty, as the various creatures tentatively reappear from their shelter to bask as the earth is warmed. Birdsong can be heard in the solo lines as the entire band join in the celebrations.The jollity does not last long, however, as a Rainstorm, more violent than the last , ensues - stopping the dance in its tracks. The tam-tam and bass drum signify thunder, crashing into the music abruptly. However, the music still survives and re-emerges from the storm, delicately but securely establishing itself into a new key (C major), before softly concluding with the two soloists in rhythmic unison as the rain subsides and the world is at Rest.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£45.00The Pilgrim - Josiah Walters
Josiah describes his composition'The Pilgrim' as a journey of development and emotion, encompassing three key stages of emotional state: from the opening sounds which are full of anticipation and uncertainty, through to a passage of disillusionment and frustration, then moving on to a concluding stage which reintroduces the positive elements of the opening optimism, yet closing quietly, symbolizing an inner peace and contentment at the end of the musical journey.The composer's emotive approach to the creation of the work embraces a wealth of passion, anguish and enlightenment. Through his use of imaginative melody, themes and harmonic texture, Josiah has represented a collection of powerful emotions. Essentially non-programmatic, the piece opens in a contemplative manner, building with enthusiasm, and first introducing the use of bells and bell effects as a musical metaphor which is used throughout the piece to signify the journey's destination.As the sentiment continues, the music evolves in to an Allegro Furioso section, opening up a strong sense of frustration. At this section's climax, the symbolic use of the bells is reintroduced to create an over-tone of hope and purpose, although this does not last long as they fade into the Misterioso Molto Rubato section.As the melodies and harmonies develop onwards, 'The Pilgrim' evolves into a more reflective phase, reintroducing the sounds and motifs of the more strident opening.This closing section symbolizes the realisation that everything needed was already available to The Pilgrim, but travelling the journey, confronting and overcoming all of the challenges was the only route of discovery - peacefulness prevails, bringing the work to a close with a sense of contentment and enlightenment.'The Pilgrim', highly emotive in its creation, offers a wealth of musical imagery.Even to the uninformed listener, this fascinating, powerful and beautiful work stirs and stimulates a variety of emotional reactions - offering each listener an opportunity to apply the music to their own journey, their own personal pilgrimage.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£30.00The Wind Beneath My Wings
A beautiful Baritone duet setting of this legendary ballad.Tim Paton writes:My band colleague, friend and baritone player, Eileen Ludlow, asked me on several occasions to arrange this well loved song as a baritone duet for her and Clare. So asa birthday present for Eileen, this is my contribution to an ever growing number of pieces featuring the long neglected baritone player!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£30.00Wicked - Lucy Pankhurst
A fascinating and upbeat composition from Lucy Pankhurst, offering great creativity with sound combinations and some funky rhythms!Originally written for and dedicated to The Wingates Band, the opening of this wild piece features the euphonium with some challenging playing effects - all the better for grabbing the attention of the audience. It's not long before the strong rhythms get those toes tapping, and other players join in with their own 'wicked' contributions.It's fast-paced, incredibly rhythmic and demands the listeners' attention right from the outset. Take a look at the performance below to fully appreciate the captivating nature of the piece.Look and Listen (courtesy of Ensemble de Cuivres Valaisan):
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£30.00Humming Chorus - Giacomo Puccini arr. Phillip Littlemore
In Puccini's opera, Madam Butterfly, the Coro a bocca chiusa (Humming Chorus) is performed by an off-stage chorus which hums a wordless, melancholy tune, whilst Butterfly, her maid Suzuki, and her child begin the long wait for husband Pinkerton to return after many years away. As night falls, Suzuki and the child are soon asleep, but Butterfly keeps her vigil. This arrangement features four flugel horns, each of which plays into the bell of a bass whilst the bass player moves the valves - creating a unique humming sound.Puccini actually wrote five versions of the opera, Madam Butterfly. After a disastrous premiere in early 1904, Puccini withdrew the opera and substantially rewrote it creating a very successful second version. However, he continued to tinker with the orchestration, not being satisfied until the fifth, and now standard, version dating from 1907.Duration: c.2'40"Difficulty: suitable for all grades
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
-
£40.00Light Cavalry Overture - Franz von SuppAª arr. Phillip Littlemore
Francesco Cavalieri di Suppe-Demelli was born in Split, then in the Austrian empire, and began composing as a boy. On moving to Vienna he changed his name to the more Germanic and less ostentatious Franz von Suppe and began conducting opera as well as writing over three hundred works of his own. Most are unperformed today though the overtures, such as Poet and Peasant and Pique Dame, are still very popular. The operetta Light Cavalry was written in 1866 with a plot concerning a love intrigue which is resolved by the Hungarian Hussars (Light Cavalry).The Light Cavalry Overture consists of a fanfare, a faster section, and an Hungarian-styled slow section which are interspersed with the famous galop with its short, short long rhythm representing the beat of the horses' hooves. This music has been much copied, parodied and often used for cartoons.Duration: 6'00"Difficulty: Suitable for all grades
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
-
£35.00Symphonic Dance No.3 - Sergei Rachmaninov arr. Phillip Littlemore
Completed in 1940, the set of Symphonic Dances was Sergei Rachmaninov's last composition. The work is fully representative of the composer's late style with its curious, shifting harmonies, the almost Prokofiev-like outer movements and the focus on individual instrumental tone colours throughout. Rachmaninov composed the Symphonic Dances four years after his Third Symphony, mostly at the Honeyman Estate, 'Orchard Point', in Centerport, New York, overlooking Long Island Sound. The three-movement work's original name was Fantastic Dances, with movement titles of 'Noon', 'Twilight' and 'Midnight'. When the composer wrote to the conductor Eugene Ormandy in late August, he said that the piece was finished and needed only to be orchestrated, but the manuscript for the full score actually bears completion dates of September and October 1940. It was premiered by Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, to whom it is dedicated, on 3rd January, 1941.This arrangement is of the last dance and is a kind of struggle between the Dies Irae theme, representing Death, and a quotation from Rachmaninov's own Vespers (also known as the All-night Vigil, 1915), representing Resurrection. The Resurrection theme proves victorious in the end as the composer actually wrote the word 'Hallelujah' at the relevant place the score (one bar after Fig. 16 in this arrangement). Duration: 3'45"Diffiuclty: 2nd Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
-
£30.00Skin Deep - Louis Bellson arr. Phillip Littlemore
Louie Bellson was an American jazz drummer, composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator. He was credited with pioneering the use of two bass drums and worked with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and Duke Ellington. Skin Deep was the title track of his 1954 solo album, and is a great swing number. There are several drum solo passages, with the last one being as long as the drummer likes, although band directors might want to consider curtailing the more exuberant kit players!Duration: 4'00"Difficulty: 2nd Section and above (band accompaniment)
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
-
Sortie Funebre - Pearl Everett - Len Jenkins
In two very short movements, this piece is a realisation of the type of music played by church organists as things are being prepared in a service, or, in this particular case, a coffin is moved from the Crossing of the church to the west door, to prepare for the funeral procession. Each movement is a mere 30 seconds or so long .
-
£47.95Czardas - Vittorio Monti arr. Eric Wilson
Monti's virtuosic showpiece for the violin has long been a favourite. This arrangement, made especially for euphonium star Robert Childs, gives the soloist the opportunity to display the full range of technical and musical skills, whether in the rich, lugubrious slow introduction or in the bustling allegro vivace which follows. A work that's sure to please - fabulous as an encore, too!
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
View Music