Results
-
£98.00KirkFeld (Trombone Solo with Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Kirkhope, Grant - McKenzie, Jock
Written for Ian Bousfield and the International Trombone Festival 2017. Grant Kirkhope is a BAFTA nominated British composer who has created the soundtrack for video games that have sold in excess of 30 million copies. From "GoldenEye" to "Banjo-Kazooie", "Viva Pi?ata" to "Donkey Kong", "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning" to "Civilization: Beyond Earth" and "Perfect Dark" to "Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse". He has also recently scored the feature film "The King's Daughter" starring Pierce Brosnan and William Hurt and is currently working on "Yooka Laylee" and "Dropzone". Grant's score for "Viva Pi?ata" was nominated by BAFTA in the Original Score category in its 2007 awards. Grant is represented by the prestigious Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency by Cheryl Tiano and Kevin Korn. Grant has a degree in music from the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, where he majored in classical trumpet, is a green card holder and now lives in Agoura Hills, LA with his wife and two children. "Ian and I first met when we were around 15 years old. We both played in our county orchestra, the North Yorkshire Schools Symphony Orchestra (I was a trumpet player). I think we hit it off straight away, as we were definitely a couple of cheeky kids, if you know what I mean! We both ended up playing in Rowntree Mackintosh Brass Band for a while too which Ian's Dad, Trevor conducted. We bumped into each other again when we both went for the Shell/LSO Scholarship. I got to the area finals in Manchester so I was pretty pleased with myself but then I saw Ian and I knew it was all over! Of course Ian went on to win and the rest is history. I saw him again when I was attending the Royal Northern College of Music around 1983 by which time Ian had just got the principal chair at the Halle Orchestra. Then I guess 30 something years went by as we both went about our lives and lost touch. We re-kindled our friendship due to his wife really. She emailed me to say it was Ian's 50th birthday and she was collecting stories from all his friends over the years. After that we got back in touch and then one day on Facebook I got a message from him in typical dry Yorkshire fashion "now then Grant, I had a listen to your music and I think it's good, how about writing a piece for me ?" I was a little bit unsure at first but of course I loved Ian's playing and of course I said yes. Over a Skype call in 2016, he asked me what I thought I'd write. I said since I live in LA I'd like to write a "Hollywood" trombone piece. Imagine if John Williams had written a piece for solo trombone, that's what I'd like to write - well I'd certainly like to try" - Grant Kirkhope
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£189.95'The New Christmas Collection' - Full Set March Card Size
The new Christmas Collection carol books contain all the traditional Christmas Carols, with some new 'pop' music arrangements included to add more variety to your carolling this year.
* Note, these are not compatible with the New Christmas Praise books.
Full list of works in The Christmas Collection:-
• A child this day is born
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
• A Christmas lullaby
• A great and mighty wonder
• All I want for Christmas is you
• All my heart this night rejoices
• Angels, from the realms of Glory (Come and worship)
• Angels, from the realms of Glory (Iris)
• Angels we have heard on high
• A starry night
• As with gladness men of old
• Auld lang syne
• A virgin most pure
• Away in a manger (The manger scene)
• Away in a manger (Traditional)
• A winter’s tale
• Bethlehem
• Brightest and best (Spean)
• Brightest and best (Traditional)
• Calypso Carol
• Carol for the Nativity
• Carol of the bells
• Carol of the drum
• Child of Mary
• Christians Awake!
• Christ is born (Il est né)
• Christ was born on Christmas Day
• Come and join the celebration
• Come, children, come quickly
• Coventry Carol
• Deck the hall
• Ding dong! merrily on high
• Do you hear what I hear?
• Frosty the snowman
• Gabriel’s Message
• Gaudete
• Glory in the highest
• Glory in the highest Heaven
• God of God, the uncreated
• God rest you merry, gentlemen
• Good Christian men, rejoice
• Good King Wenceslas
• Go, tell it on the mountain!
• Happy Christmas (War is over)
• Hark the glad sound!
• Hark! the herald angels sing
• Have yourself a merry little Christmas
• Here we come a-wassailing
• How far is it to Bethlehem?
• Huron Carol
• Infant Holy
• In the bleak midwinter (Cranham)
• In the bleak midwinter (Darke)
• I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus
• I saw three ships come sailing in
• It came upon a midnight clear (Traditional)
• It came upon a midnight clear (Willis)
• It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
• It’s the most wonderful time of the year
• I wish it could be Christmas everyday
• I wonder as I wander
• Jesus, good above all other
• Jingle Bells
• Jingle bell rock
• Joy to the world!
• Last Christmas
• Let it snow!
• Little baby Jesus
• Little children, wake and listen
• Little Donkey
• Little Jesus, sweetly sleep
• Lo! he comes with clouds descending
• Long, long ago
• Love came down at Christmas
• Mary’s boy child
• Mary’s Child
• Masters in this hall
• Merry Christmas everyone
• Mistletoe and wine
• Noel
• O Christmas tree
• O come, all ye faithful
• O come, Immanuel
• O Heaven-sent King
• O holy night!
• O little town of Bethlehem (Christmas Carol)
• O little town of Bethlehem (Forest Green)
• O little town of Bethlehem (St Louis)
• Once in royal David’s city
• Past three o’clock
• Patapan
• Personent Hodie
• Praise ye the Lord
• Ring the bells
• Rise up, shepherd!
• Rockin’ around the Christmas tree
• Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
• Sans day carol
• Santa Claus is comin’ to town
• Saviour’s Day
• See, amid the winter’s snow
• Silent Night!
• Sleigh Ride
• Softly the night is sleeping
• So here it is, merry Christmas
• Stars are shining
• Still, still, still
• Stop the cavalry
• Sussex Carol
• Sweet chiming bells
• Sweet chiming Christmas bells
• The candle song
• The cherry tree carol
• The Christmas song
• The first Nowell
• The holly and the ivy
• The infant King
• The light has come
• The shepherds’ farewell
• The stable door
• The star in the east
• The twelve days of Christmas
• The virgin Mary had a baby boy
• They all were looking for a king
• Thou didst leave thy throne
• Three kings’ march
• Unto us a boy is born
• Walking in the air
• We gather round the manger-bed
• We three kings of Orient are
• We wish you a merry Christmas
• What child is this?
• When a child is born
• When Santa got stuck up the chimney
• Whence is that goodly fragrance flowing?
• When wise men came seeking
• While shepherds watched (Cranbrook)
• While shepherds watched (Handel)
• While shepherds watched (Winchester Old)
• White Christmas
• Who is he?
• Winter Wonderland
• Worldwide Christmas message
• Zither Carol
• A starry night
• Christmas Joy
• Christmas Praise
• Coventry Carol
• Infant Holy
• Mid-winter
• Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
• The everlasting light
• To celebrate his birth
• Yuletide Rag
-
£67.19Pyrenean Carol Suite (Brass Band) David Taylor
This attractive suite for brass band by David Taylor features five traditional carols from the Pyrenees region of Spain, as follows: i. Nadal Tindaire (Jingling Christmas) - Occitan traditional This Occitan Christmas song tells of musical instruments used to celebrate the Nativity - 'fifes and trumpets, timpani and pipes, or you, clear little bells, along with the angels' choir.' ii. Gabriel's Message (Birjina Gaztetto Bat Zegoen) - Basque traditional The most widely-known of the chosen carols, honouring Jesus's mother Mary, this is often sung in its English version, but the melody came from the Basque country. The Basque words were adapted from the Mediaeval song Angelus ad Virginem. Here, we feature the flugel horn. This movement was originally written on its own, with organ accompaniment, for the composer's wife, Diane Scott. iii. El Noi de la Mare (The Child of the Mother) - Catalan traditional A beautiful Catalan carol celebrating the birth of Jesus, telling of the tasty gifts that the singer would bring - 'Raisins and figs and nuts and olives; Raisins and figs and honey and mato [a Catalan dessert cheese traditionally served with honey.]' Here we feature the euphonium. The tune was made famous by guitarist Andres Segovia, who used it as a favourite encore, and by John Rutter, who made a widely-used setting for choir. iv. Paure Satan (Poor Satan) - Occitan traditional This rather unusual carol tells of the pain that Satan is put to by the arrival of the infant Jesus. Its mocking and sarcastic tone is reflected here, where the tuba soloist (as Satan) is given musical trouble throughout by the other parts. At first they conflict with the soloist, then the soloist makes overtures of friendship, which are treated with suspicion followed by contempt. The soloist finally gives in to their accompaniment (or do they?). There are plenty of opportunities for little theatrical touches here, if the tuba player is so inclined! The tuba part in this movement is notably more difficult than the rest of the music, and a number of optional changes have been marked to make the part easier to play, if so desired. The player is also welcome to add suitable extra embellishments to taste if they wish, within the character of the music. v. Fum, Fum, Fum! - Catalan traditional A favourite Catalan Christmas song for centuries, this rousing melody provides a fitting way to round off the suite, with its repeated rhythmic refrain of the nonsense title phrase. It tells of the Nativity, and then it tells of the celebratory feasting and good times that the singers look forward to to honour it. Although the suite is intended to be performed whole, it is also intended for usage with a selection of movements on occasions where a shorter piece is wanted. Suggested formats include a single movement alone (2, 3, and 5 are likely most appropriate), a pair of movements (any of the first four, plus 5), and a suite of three or four movements (1 and 5, plus one or two of 2, 3, or 4 in the middle). It is suggested that a good way to design a 'pick-your-own-suite' from the movements is to think of the earlier movements as introductory to the final movement. To view a rolling score video featuring Kidlington Concert Brass please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIGdul-yxxg PDF download includes score and parts. Sheet music available from: UK - www.brassband.co.uk USA - www.cimarronmusic.com Difficulty Level: 3rd Section + Length: 9.45 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 Timpani Percussion 1-2
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
-
£120.00
Rhapsody in Black (Bra) - Andi Cook
The primary inspiration for this work comes from the composer's first encounter with the genre of Symphonic Metal - the opening track of the 2004 Nightwish album 'Once', entitled Dark chest of Wonders. The combination of full orchestra, operatically trained female vocals and the raw power of a Scandinavian metal band was a potent mix that instantly had me hooked.That same dark and powerful sound is one that a brass band can generate, and I've tried to capture that in this composition. Heavy Rock/Metal as a genre is arguably fifty years old now, but symphonic metal is a newer concept, and I feel possibly the one that can bridge the gap between two musical styles very dear to me.Composer Gilbert Vinter had explored through music the connotations that different colours held for him, and his movement Purple from 'Spectrum' gave me an idea for the structure of 'Rhapsody in Black'. Andi Cook explored the different connotations of one colour within his own life, black being an easy choice due to the personal dichotomy of the black leather jacket he wore to the rock club on Friday night and the black suit jacket and tie he wore to the concert hall the next day.To avoid repetition the word 'black' is omitted from the five movement titles, each of which is a different episode. '...as Thunder' is a furious argument between two people - the top and bottom of the band - set against the backdrop of a storm, with lightning flashing outside while barbs, insults, sarcasm, tears and even violence is traded inside. Following that '...Satin and Pearls' is an old black-and-white movie with a wistful character to it as if we're looking back a screen icon with fondness long after their career or even their life has ended. '...as the Raven's Wing.' is deliberately gothic and funereal, hinting at Edgar Allen Poe's similarly named poem, with undertones of death and afterlife. The shift into F/C Minor (band pitch) represents the descent - alive - into the grave that Poe had a paranoid fear of his entire life. Family and friends standing around grieving, oblivious as we're lowered into the earth despite frantic attempts to make ourselves heard. '...and Chrome' is an unashamed motorcycle reference with all its born-to-be-wild, open air, high speed and freedom overtones. In a deliberate contrast to what went before it continues several of the same motifs though this time in the major key. Lastly, we reprise the second movement with '...as the Night Sky' which is simply the feeling of walking home under the summer stars, with someone important - who that is, is left to the listener, but a walk under the stars is always that bit special.There's an old saying that very few things are black and white. I hope this work will prove that even black alone isn't quite as simple as it's often made out....'Rhapsody in Black' is dedicated to the composer's friend and mentor John Roberts, who shares his love of both brass and rock.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£77.00General Series Brass Band Journal, Numbers 2234 - 2237, August 2023
2234: Festival March - Above all names (Geoff McCorriston)This Festival March was originally written for the Camberwell Citadel Band, Melbourne, Australia. This composition marks the composers debut within our band journals. Geoff McCorriston served as Deputy Bandmaster at Preston Corps (Australia) for many years before joining the Camberwell Citadel Band. He has also been a member of the Melbourne Red Shield Band. Above all names is distinct from a standard street march in that it is more developed, both rhythmically and thematically. It is an original march that references We plough the fields and scatter (S.A.S.B. 70) and Camberwell (T.B. 182).2235: Flugel Horn Solo - Father, Creator (Simon Gash)Emma Pears has a gift for contemporary song-writing, with several of her songs featuring in the Sing to the Lord publication. The style and relaxed nature of the melody of Father, Creator (first published in the Children's Voices Series in 2011, and later in the Mixed Voices in 2014) seemed a perfect fit for the Flugel Horn. Throughout the piece, juxtaposed with Father, Creator, we hear snippets of the tune St Theodulph (T.B. 231), which outline the first lines of Albert Chesham's words, 'O Father and Creator, Thou God of perfect love' (S.A.S.B. 46).2236: A winter's carol (trs. Neil Smith)The history of the carol O come, Immanuel (C.C. 62) is, like the carol itself, a little mysterious! The melody was conceived as a monastic chant during the 8th century. It was not until 1851 that the priest and hymn writer John Mason Neale translated the verses into English, exposing the carol to a wider audience. There is an aura and enigmatic feel to this melody which is captivating to so many who hear it. This setting was originally conceived for wind band by American composer Mark Williams. The brass band transcription introduces a new name to our journals, Bandmaster Neil Smith, who is the Territorial Music Director for the USA Western Territory.2237: Mighty to keep (Eiliv Herikstad)Mighty to keep marks the composer's first publication since his Promotion to Glory in April 2023. Bandmaster Eiliv Herikstad served faithfully in his native Norway throughout his life, and since the early 1970s, has provided The Salvation Army with a wealth of original compositions and skilful arrangements. Eiliv explored many styles of big-band and jazz writing which, in the 70s, were not commonplace amongst brass bands, particularly in The Salvation Army. Music Editorial are grateful to Eiliv for using his gifts to support Salvation Army music ministry.The subject of this piece is Herbert Booth's song Mighty to keep, which was first published by The Salvation Army in 1889. The chorus of the song is more well-known that the verse and was included in the chorus section of the 1986 Salvation Army Song Book.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£0.99New Christmas Praise Song Book 1 - 95
These books are now an archive publication and, although are still available, have been superseded by Christmas Collection (available in marchcard size: https://www.sps-shop.com/cc-marchcard or A4 size https://www.sps-shop.com/cc-largeprint). Christmas Collection includes 46 new carols and songs as well as 10 extended carols (originally seen in the Sounds of Christmas books).Ideal for congregational singing.CONTENTS 1. A child this day is born 2. A Christmas Lullaby 3. A great and mighty wonder 4. A starry night 5. A virgin most pure 6. All my heart this night rejoices 7. Angels from the realms of Glory (Come and worship) 8. Angels from the realms of Glory (Iris) 9. Angels, sing again? 10.Angels we have heard on high 11.As with gladness men of old 12. Away in a manger 13. Away in a manger (The manger scene) 14. Bethlehem 15. Brightest and best 16. Brightest and best (Spean) 17. Child of Mary 18.. Calypso Carol 19. Carol for the Nativity 20. Carol of the bells 21.Carol of the drum 22. Christ was born on Christmas Day 23. Christians Awake 24. Come, children, come quickly 25. Coventry carol 26. Do you hear what I hear 27. Ding dong! merrily on high 28. Gabriels message 29. Glory in the highest 30. Go, tell it on the mountain 31. God of God, the uncreated 32. God rest you merry, gentlemen 33. Good Christian men, rejoice 34. Good King Wenceslas 35. Hark the glad sound! 36. Hark! the herald angels sing 37. How far is it to Bethlehem 38. I saw three ships come sailing in 39. I wonder as I wander 40. Il est n 41. Immanuel Appears 42. In the bleak mid-winter 43. Infant Holy 44. It came upon the midnight clear (Traditional) 45. It came upon the midnight clear (Willis) 46. Jesus, good above all other 47. Joy to the world 48. Little baby Jesus 49. Little Jesus, sweetly sleep. 50. Little donkey 51. Long, long ago 52. Marys boy child 53. Masters in this hall 54. Noel 55. o come, all ye faithful 56. o come, Immanuel 57. O come with me to Bethlehem 58. O little town of Bethlehem (Christmas Carol) 59. O little town of Bethlehem (Forest Green) 60. O little town of Bethlehem (St Louis) 61. O Heaven-sent King 62. O holy night 63. Once, in royal Davids city 64. Past three oclock 65. Personent hodie 66. Praise ye the Lord 67. Rise up, shepherd! 68. Sans day carol 69. See, amid the winters snow 70. Silent night! 71. Sleep, holy Babe 72. Softly the night is sleeping 74. Stars are shining 73. Sussex carol 76. Sweet chiming bells 75. Sweet chiming Christmas bells 77. The angels sang the story 78. The first Nowell 79. The holy Boy 80. The holly and the ivy 81. The infant King 82. The shepherds farewell 83. The virgin Mary had a baby boy 84. The stable door 85. They all were looking for a king 86. Three kings march 87. Unto us a boy is born 88. Wayfaring 89. We gather round the manger-bed 90. We three kings of Orient are 91. What child is this 92. When wise men came seeking 93. While shepherds watched 94. Who is he 95. Zither carol
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£38.95Unity Series Band Journal June 2014 Numbers 418-421
No.418 March - Heavenly Treasures (Noel Jones)Rich people cannot take money with them when they die but Christians have the joy of laying up treasure in Heaven. This march by Noel Jones incorporates two choruses 'Lay up treasure in Heaven' (TBCS 249)and 'Bright Crowns' (TB 78).No.419 Swing it, Shepherds! (Nicholas King)The traditional English Carol, 'While shepherds watched' and the spiritual carol 'Rise up, shepherd!' are combined in a bright swing arrangement by Deputy Songsters Leader Nicholas King, who is also a member of the Music Ministries Unit.No.420 Good King Wenceslas (Paul Sharman)The lyrics of the well-known carol 'Good King Wenceslas' were written by John Mason Neale in the 1850s and the tune used comes from a collection of medieval Latin songs, Piae Cantiones, published in 1582. It has been given a light-hearted treatment, which also features brief references to other carols.No.421 As we are gathered (Trevor Worthington)An arrangement of John Daniels' lovely song, the words of which say:As we are gathered, Jesus is here;One with each other, Jesus is here;Joined by the Spirit, washed in the blood,Part of the Body, the Church of God.As we are gathered, Jesus is here;One with each other, Jesus is here.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£38.95Unity Series Band Journal - Numbers 534 - 537, October 2024
534: Boldly Going (Wycliffe Kortin)This arrangement is derived from a Kenyan Swahili gospel melody Simama Imara, which means 'to stand firm'. The song is an encouragement to Christians to stay strong in the Lord, even in times of difficulty. The piece has a lively rock feel which requires precision in articulation and a sense of drive throughout.535: Fill me anew (Mark Feltwell)The melody Fill me anew (T.B. 611) has always been a favourite of the composer and this composition was used at the Worchester Corps in their Pentecost services. It is a simple melody with a simple purpose and associated prayer that is the focus of the piece, 536: There's something about that name (William Gaither arr. Kingsley Layton)The chorus (S.A.S.B. 80) from which this piece takes its title was composed by Bill and Gloria Gaither. They wrote it in 1970, having watched their grandparents near the end of their lives and pass away. At the same time, they were, as a couple, embracing parenthood. It resonated with them how the young loved to say the name of Jesus as well as those that were nearing the end of their lives. The chorus reflects the peace and comfort which comes to us when we call on that name during both the good and challenging times in life. The Gaithers are a performing and songwriting couple who have become well-known within the Southern Gospel music genre.537: Selection - Singing Praises! (Noel Jones)A motif, based on the phrase 'Praise him!, Praise him!, Ever in joyful song', appears throughout the selection. Songs also featured include I love to sing of the Saviour (S.A.S.B. 845) and Singing glory, glory, Glory be to God on high (S.A.S.B. 840)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£110.00Diversions after Benjamin Britten (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
Suite by Lucy Pankhurst, Simon Dobson, Paul McGhee and Gavin HigginsHaving devised a collective centenary tribute for Michael Tippett at the 2006 RNCM Festival of Brass (Variations on a Theme of Michael Tippett by five eminent composers of brass band music, PHM002), I commissioned this companion piece as a Benjamin Britten tribute for the 2013 festival. In the late 1970s, while researching a book about the English composer, and Britten's first teacher, Frank Bridge (1879 - 1941), I came across a copy of the printed score of Benjamin Britten's Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (Op.10) for string orchestra, in which Britten had written descriptive titles for each of the variations suggesting appropriate character traits of his much loved mentor and guide. The character variations are cast in march, song and dance forms.Taking inspiration from Britten's youthful tribute, I invited four award-winning composers, who have all made significant contributions to the brass band medium, to create their own personal reflections on four aspects of Britten's character and music, designed to form a suite of Diversions after Benjamin Britten, but which can also be played separately.Lucy Pankhurst's hauntingly lyrical Prelude: His Depth refers to the emotional and symbolic subtexts that underpin Britten's operas, taking its musical cue from Britten's many arrangements of folk songs. The flugel horn takes a prominent role throughout.Simon Dobson's breathless Scherzo: His Vitality reminds us with its rapid passage work and leaping bass 'groove' that Britten loved tennis and fast cars in his younger days.Paul McGhee's evocative interpretation of the March: His Sympathy represents Benjamin Britten's pacifism, as the composer writes: 'We view the music through the eyes of a pacifist. Whilst war and violence surround us, we do not engage in it and though it continues to happen around us. With the use of muted effects in most of the band throughout the piece, the flugel horn is the lone voice of reason, standing firm against the mechanical and destructive society in which it is forced to live. As the machine of war continues around the lone voice, the voice is gradually dismissed and mocked as the war machine rumbles on into the distance.'In an extended finale, entitled Toccata: His Skill, Gavin Higgins celebrates Benjamin Britten's consummate creativity. For the RNCM Festival of Brass premiere, the four contrasting movements were framed and connected by Britten's Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury for three trumpets, with the trumpet soloists spaced round the hall. I am grateful to the Britten Estate and publishers Boosey & Hawkes for giving permission for the elements of Britten's fanfare to be incorporated in the collective work.- Paul HindmarshDuration: 19.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£45.00Diversions after Benjamin Britten (Brass Band - Score only)
Suite by Lucy Pankhurst, Simon Dobson, Paul McGhee and Gavin HigginsHaving devised a collective centenary tribute for Michael Tippett at the 2006 RNCM Festival of Brass (Variations on a Theme of Michael Tippett by five eminent composers of brass band music, PHM002), I commissioned this companion piece as a Benjamin Britten tribute for the 2013 festival. In the late 1970s, while researching a book about the English composer, and Britten's first teacher, Frank Bridge (1879 - 1941), I came across a copy of the printed score of Benjamin Britten's Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (Op.10) for string orchestra, in which Britten had written descriptive titles for each of the variations suggesting appropriate character traits of his much loved mentor and guide. The character variations are cast in march, song and dance forms.Taking inspiration from Britten's youthful tribute, I invited four award-winning composers, who have all made significant contributions to the brass band medium, to create their own personal reflections on four aspects of Britten's character and music, designed to form a suite of Diversions after Benjamin Britten, but which can also be played separately.Lucy Pankhurst's hauntingly lyrical Prelude: His Depth refers to the emotional and symbolic subtexts that underpin Britten's operas, taking its musical cue from Britten's many arrangements of folk songs. The flugel horn takes a prominent role throughout.Simon Dobson's breathless Scherzo: His Vitality reminds us with its rapid passage work and leaping bass 'groove' that Britten loved tennis and fast cars in his younger days.Paul McGhee's evocative interpretation of the March: His Sympathy represents Benjamin Britten's pacifism, as the composer writes: 'We view the music through the eyes of a pacifist. Whilst war and violence surround us, we do not engage in it and though it continues to happen around us. With the use of muted effects in most of the band throughout the piece, the flugel horn is the lone voice of reason, standing firm against the mechanical and destructive society in which it is forced to live. As the machine of war continues around the lone voice, the voice is gradually dismissed and mocked as the war machine rumbles on into the distance.'In an extended finale, entitled Toccata: His Skill, Gavin Higgins celebrates Benjamin Britten's consummate creativity. For the RNCM Festival of Brass premiere, the four contrasting movements were framed and connected by Britten's Fanfare for St. Edmundsbury for three trumpets, with the trumpet soloists spaced round the hall. I am grateful to the Britten Estate and publishers Boosey & Hawkes for giving permission for the elements of Britten's fanfare to be incorporated in the collective work.- Paul HindmarshDuration: 19.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
