Results
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£91.99Fanfares, Songs & Dances - Philip Sparke
Fanfares, Songs & Dances was commissioned by Brass Bands England, the Lithuanian Brass Band Association and the Dutch National Brass Band Championships (NBK), and first performed at the 43rd 'NBK' in October 2024. The work is played in three linked movements: FANFARES opens in robust fashion with a sequence of fanfare-like statements, initially featuring the horns, whose modal theme includes a figure that will reappear throughout the work. Euphoniums and then cornets introduce a second theme, which is followed by a third, again initiated by the horns. Baritones then change the mood with a more-lyrical theme, which builds to a climax, eventually leading back to a recall of the initial fanfare theme. This gradually dissolves to introduce the second movement. SONGS continues to relax the fanfare feel with a long introduction to the movement's main theme, first appearing on solo cornet. A change of key introduces a bridge passage which leads to a sonorous chorale, which builds to a triumphal return of the cornet theme. A peaceful coda leads to the final movement of the work. DANCES is a scherzo-like movement based around a series of rhythmic melodies in triple time, which lead to a majestic return of the 2nd movement's chorale theme under cornet figuration. The opening dance theme returns and heralds a joyous coda.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£89.99Ross Roy - Jacob de Haan
In this composition, Jacob de Haan sees the "Ross Roy" as a metaphor for the years spent at school (a monument in time), where one's personality is formed. So, the opening theme the artist calls the Ross Roy theme initially has monumental characteristics.The rhythmic motion, which strides along in the lower register and percussion at the beginning of the next section is typical of "Tempo di Marcia". This movement, accompanied by repetitions of sound, is a metaphor for the structure and discipline in school. This is the introduction to a march theme, symbolic of "passing through" the classes up to the final examinations.Then, the Ross Roy theme is dealt with again, now in aplayful, humorous variation. As if the composer is saying there should also be time for a smile in school. The same theme can be heard in major key and a slower tempo in the following section, expressing pride and self-confidence. This is also the introduction to the expressive middle section that represents love, friendship and understanding.We then return to the march theme in a slightly altered construction. The oriental sounds, constituting the modulation to the final theme, are symbols of the diversity of cultures in the school. The characteristic final theme first sounds solemn, but turns into a festive apotheosis. It is no coincidence that the final cadence is reminiscent of the close to a traditional overture, for the school years can be considered the "overture" to the rest of one's life.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£52.70Far Eastern Dream - Paul Voet
The longest trip we make is to the Far East. Japan, China, Tibet,... all countries with an enormous cultural background and history. Percussion is very important here to give a rich dimension to this Japanese 'Black Bamboo' theme. Tam-tam, Chinese cymbals, Tibetan gong and a kododrum (if not possible, large floor tom) together with marimba and glockenspiel are used all the time in a carefulway. A solo cornet presents the main theme that is answered by the whole lower brass section. While this theme develops now and then the sounds of the impressive 'dung' is heard. (dung is the Tibetan very large trumpet-like instrument with loud and very deep sounds) In a quicker tempo Eb bass, euphonium and solo cornet start with the theme and even the counter theme. The whole group joins the party but everything ends very silently with mute.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£57.50Erin's Isle - Philip Sparke
Erin's Isle was commissioned by euphonium player Micah Parsons and premiered by him in June 2024. The idea was to write a slow melody with an Irish flavour and the title is a romantic, 19th century name often used to refer to the island of Ireland itself. The work opens with fluttering, muted cornets, under which a tentative theme appears. This leads to an accompanied cadenza for the soloist, out of which the main theme emerges. This is a long and expansive melody, which winds through several related phrases with a folk-like flavour. A change of key heralds snatches of the theme by the band with interjections from the soloist, leading to a second cadenza. Eventually the band takes up the main theme again, over which the euphonium weaves an elaborate counter melody. The fluttering cornets return to allow the soloist to close the work with a brief and flowery coda.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£154.60Prelude Festivo - John Brakstad
Prelude Festivo is intended to be performed both in concerts and in competitions and includes solo passages for most instrument groups. Duration 7,5 minutes. Form: Fast slow fast. The piece is built on two themes: Theme 1 (Allegro con spirito) is first presented as a cornet solo after a fanfare-like opening. Theme 2 is hinted at in the opening bars, but is presented fully in the slow (Andante) section (bar 141). This theme is developed and also appears as melodic and rhytmic fragments throughout the composition. In the concluding section (bar 196) both themes are played in conjunction before the piece concludes with the fanfare theme from the opening bars. Parts thatare marked piu mosso ed leggiero should be played in a cheerful light staccato style in contrast to Andante cantabile.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£59.99Marcho Brioso - Philip Sparke
Marcho Brioso was commissioned by The Brioso Brass, a British-style brass band from Hokkaido, Japan. They gave the first performance in January 2012.The commission was for a bright and breezy march that the band could use as their theme tune, so Marcho Brioso falls into the composer's series of Broadway-style marches, which includes Slipstream, The Bandwagon and Jubiloso.After a short introduction a solo cornet plays the main theme, accompanied by a euphonium counter-melody. A secondary phrase from the horns and baritones leads to a tuttiversion of the main theme which is followed by the traditional 'bass' strain. A change of key heralds the trio section, which features a cantabile melody on euphonium; this is then taken up by the full band after a short bridge passage and further change of key.This takes us back to the home key which sees a quiet staccato version of the main theme lead to a recapitulation and a short coda which brings the march to a close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£76.99Oregon - Jacob de Haan
This fantasy tells the story of Oregon, one of Americas north-western states. Traveling by train on the Northern Pacific Railroad, the listener is taken through the fascinating Oregon landscape. Indians, cowboys, golddiggers and hooded wagons will file past on this adventurous journey. The piece has some similarities with a soundtrack of a movie. Various melodies, which could be the main themes of a movie, pass the review.The piece begins in a slow movement, introducing the first theme in minor. Then we hear in the following fast movement the trombones imitate the train, whistling the steam-flute. We hear the characteristic minor theme again, but now in differentvariants(also in major). The rythmic structure of 'western' stile and rock succeed each other. This is leading to the slow movement, where the signals of horns and trumpets introduce a wonderful vocal melody. After this characteristic melody, the fast movement appears shortly again, the trombones whistling the steam-flute again (now in major). We hear also some musical elements, that plays a part in the following Presto. Barchanges, jazzy chords, interesting rhytmic patterns (with bongo) and an original theme are the characteristics of this Presto. After this, the horns announce the last section of the piece. Interesting is the fact that we hear in this Allegro section a variant of the vocal melody in the slow movement. Also the Presto theme returns shortly, followed by the Allargando, which is a grand characteristic end of a soundtrack. The movie of our travelling fantasy has come to an end.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£104.99High Flyers - Andrew R. Mackereth
From the composer: High Flyers are regarded as people with promise and potential.They are winners. This is music for winners.The title, as well as being a play-on-words, implies the nature of the work. It is a bright, optimistic, and upbeat piece attempting to depict an exhilarating ride on flying carpet. The opening rising chords immediately suggest the gentle elevation of the carpets' ascent towards unknown heights, leading to a hint of a first theme in the horns at Fig. B. The first four notes provide the thematic material for the whole work: C F G A.A perpetual sense of movement is achieved through accented quaver chords punctuating the melodicmaterial of the first main theme. Fig. E sees the music of the opening bars fully realised, with flourishes from the euphonium and baritones representing swirling clouds, shooting stars, or passing birds in flight.The same subject is developed into a lyrical second theme with a new lush harmonic treatment, evocative of gliding over an expanse of sparse countryside.This section ends with a note of serenity but is shattered by the urgent insistence of the percussion rhythms.The third section introduces a new idea with a slightly distorted fanfare in the cornets and trombones. This figure suggests for the first time that there may be trouble ahead. In fact, there is no need to fear and the journey can continue without aggravation. This fanfare returns near the end to signal a final note of triumph.A new rhythmic variant of the cell motif emerges as the third theme now transformed by the addition of a triplet figure. The music steadily gains momentum before moving inexorably towards the climactic return of the music and tonality of the opening bars of the piece.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£52.50Broadheath - Philip Sparke
Broadheath was commissioned by the Elgar International Brass Band Summer School for their 2024 course. The premiere took place in the Routh Hall at Bromsgrove School on Friday 26 July.It is in conventional march form, opening with a brief fanfare before the horns take up the main theme. This is then repeated by the full band before euphoniums and baritone announce the second subject. This builds to a stirring tutti passage utilising elements of the opening theme, which brings the opening section to a close.In honour of the summer school's tribute to Sir Edward Elgar (it is held in 'Elgar country'), the trio uses the opening melody of his 1st symphony as its main theme, decorating it with filigree work from the cornets. This is repeated on the full band and leads to a varied recapitulation of the opening material to bring the march full circle.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£64.99Skin and Bones - Philip Sparke
Skin and Bones was commissioned by Brett Baker in memory of trombonist Julian Smith and to mark Garry Reed's 20 years as a member of Black Dyke Band, who gave the premiere in June 2023. After an introduction from the band, the trombones enter with the piece's main theme. A short bridge passage follows and the band then takes up this theme, with the soloists adding a countermelody. A change of key heralds a legato trio tune by the band, which is repeated by the trombones. After this, the drum kit takes centre stage to accompany the soloists in a virtuoso cadenza-like passage with interpolations from the band. This leads to a floridly decorated repeat of the opening theme which brings the work to a close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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