Results
-
£69.99The Green Hills of Tyrol - Philip Sparke
The Green Hills of Tyrol was commissioned by Jrena and Beat Knusel for their son, Swiss euphonium player Joel Knusel, to celebrate his 20th birthday in 2019. The request was for a piece suitable for use in a solo competition, possibly using a Scottish or Irish melody, and composer Philip Sparke suggested an 'old-fashioned' air varie might be a suitable idea. The piece follows the well-established formula of a theme followed by four variations. The history of the original melody is fascinating and, although it is now well-known as a bagpipe tune, its background is Austrian or Italian, rather than Scottish. The tune appears as a chorus of Swiss soldiers in Rossini's 1829 opera William Tell but was possibly an existing Tyrolean folk tune. In 1854, during the Crimean War, Pipe Major John MacLeod of the 93rd Highlanders heard a band of the Sardinian contingent playing selections from the opera in camp before the Siege of Sebastopol. He was struck by the melody and arranged it for his pipers, calling it The Green Hills of Tyrol, referring to Tell's visit to that corner of Austria in the opera. It has since become universally popular among pipe bands who usually refer to it as A Scottish Soldier, following the addition of new lyrics in a 1961 hit by Andy Stewart.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£91.99Pulcinella - Philip Sparke
Pulcinella was commissioned by the Taiwanese euphonium player Tzu-Hsiang Lin. Lin is a renowned soloist and teacher and a Besson Euphonium Artist. He teaches euphonium at Taipei National University of the Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts, Shih Chien University and National Kaohsiung Normal University. Lin gave the premiere of Pulcinella in both its concert band and brass band versions in January 2021. Pulcinella continues Sparke's series of euphonium solos named after characters of the Italian commedia dell'arte and opens with a long and expressive minor melody for the soloist over a brooding accompaniment. This is taken up briefly by the full band and is extended by the soloist after a change of key. A cadenza, accompanied by fragments of the main melody leads to a complete change of mood, tempo and tonality, introducing a Vivo section starting with a perky syncopated tune for the soloist. The band then uses elements of this new tune to introduce a change of key, where the soloist introduces a more lyrical second subject over a pulsing accompaniment. The band then takes this up and changes key to reintroduce the original Vivo melody, which leads to a short and acrobatic coda to bring the work to a spectacular close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£69.99The Greatest Show - Philip Sparke
The Greatest Showman is definitely one of the most popular movie musicals of recent years. The film's stunning lead performance by Hugh Jackman and its touching score have made this picture an instant classic. The mind-blowing theme song 'The Greatest Show' is here arranged for brass band by Philip Sparke.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£69.99Brass Machine - Mark Taylor - Philip Sparke
Mark Taylor wrote the trumpet feature Scream Machine for a vinyl album by the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble in 1985. It was later published in a slightly simpler version called Brass Machine.This brass band arrangement by Philip Sparke has been arranged directly from the published jazz ensemble score and features soprano cornet and four solo cornets.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£76.99Colditz March - Robert Farnon - Philip Sparke
Acclaimed Canadian composer/arranger Robert Farnon penned this distinctive march theme for the 1970s BBC television drama Colditz telling the story of prisoners held at Colditz Castle, Germany, during World War II. Philip Sparke'sextended concert version is expertly scored for band and an elegant and powerful addition to any programme.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£59.99Ballad for Benny - Philip Sparke
The birth of Philip Sparke's second son, Benjamin, was the inspiration for composing Ballad for Benny. A short calm introduction leads to the main ballad theme, a gentle waltz melody. Following the work's climax in which the complete band plays the main theme the sound fades and the piece ends in calm and serenity.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£59.99To a Wild Rose - Edward MacDowell - Philip Sparke
Edward MacDowell can be regarded as the first great American composer, although he disliked the idea of being classified as any sort of musical nationalist. He composed a large number of orchestral works but it is the charming and unpretentious suite of musical miniatures, Woodland Sketches, that has survived as his best-known work, with To a Wild Rose being the most popular. Philip Sparke has expertly arranged this simple work for brass band.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£59.99Processional - Philip Sparke
Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece but has been designed specifically for occasions such as weddings or graduation ceremonies, where it?s duration can be altered according to your needs.A must for any ceremonial occasion.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£59.99Royal Salute - Philip Sparke
This march from Philip Sparke is in the tradition of the English ceremonial or concert march, such as the masterpieces written by Sir Edward Elgar and Sir William Walton. It attempts to continue this tradition with a march for intermediate band that has all the recognisable hallmarks such as broad melodies, counter melodies and a nobilmente trio.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£91.99Time Remembered - Philip Sparke
The initial idea was for a millennium piece, which it is, but rather than add to the many celebratory pieces that have understandably been written to salute the 3rd millennium, Philip Sparke thought it would perhaps be appropriate to think about the aspects of life that are constantly with us (such as faith and philosophy) rather than the exciting changes that the year 2000 has undeniably wrought. This calm meditative work will bring a moment of serenity and reflection to any concert.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
View Music