Results
-
£22.50Princethorpe Variations (Brass Band - Score only) - 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
-
£49.95SPITFIRE: PRELUDE AND FUGUE (Brass Band) - Walton, William - Howarth, Elgar
Originally part of the score Walton wrote for the film The First of the Few, this fabulous music found greater fame in the concert version he made in 1942. Now, at last, here is an authorised version for brass band by an acknowledged master of the art, Elgar Howarth. The Prelude - essentially a march in his best Crown Imperial style leads to a dazzling Fugue which incorporates a quiet interlude before the dramatic finale. Whether used as a concert opener or roof-raising finale it is sure to delight audiences and players alike. Recorded on Polyphonic QPRL220D Master Brass (Volume Sixteen).
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£49.95Prelude and Fugue: The Spitfire (Score and Parts) - William Walton arr. Elgar Howarth
Originally part of the score Walton wrote for the film The First of the Few, this fabulous music found greater fame in the concert version he made in 1942. Now, at last, here is an authorised version for brass band by an acknowledged master of the art, in a beautiful new presentation from Winwood Music. The Prelude - essentially a march in his best Crown Imperial style leads to a dazzling Fugue which incorporates a quiet interlude before the dramatic finale. Whether used as a concert opener or roof-raising finale it is sure to delight audiences and players alike. Duration: 7:00
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
-
£79.95Orion (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
Orion was named after the giant huntsman in Greek mythology and is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous and recognisable constellations in the night sky. This piece and its inspiration were composed as a tone poem creating a musical picture of this amazing phenomenon.The opening introduces the constellation. Starting mysteriously with the percussion and basses this section develops a series of rhythmic and harmonic interludes from the upper brass. As this introduction develops, the melodic line lead by the Solo Cornet and Euphonium builds as the accompanying instruments increase in their rhythmic complexity. This section climaxes with a short fanfare motif which will be a prominent theme throughout this piece.The fast rhythmic section that follows serves as a technical test for the players. The thematic device introduced by the Solo Cornets is passed around various soloists and sections within the ensemble. This part of the tone poem gives the opportunity for the ensemble to highlight their technical prowess. The fanfare motif returns to conclude this section and takes the piece into the slow middle movement.Motifs heard earlier are mixed with new ideas in this slow section which give an opportunity for a variety of soloists to demonstrate their musical prowess. After the various solo passages and cadenzas, the mood shifts dramatically to a more ominous section that builds in texture and dynamic. Concluding with our returning fanfare motif the piece then builds in momentum towards our finale section.This finale is a technical showcase which will further test the playing ability and stamina of soloists, small groups and the full ensemble. Using prominent musical themes heard throughout this piece the music builds to a glorious conclusion fitting with wonderful constellation.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£29.95Rondo Alla Turk
Rondo Alla Turk has been a popular concert piece for many performers the world over. This is an arrangement I have done for solo xylophone that shows off the technical dexterity of both the piece and the instrument. Starting in a brisk tempo, the soloist performs the main themes of the piece with the major key fanfare-like interludes introducing each new section.The main melody from the opening returns with an even brighter tempo that takes the soloist into a flamboyant cadenza section. The cadenza section is scored out for the xylophone but the ad-lib marking allows the soloist in true Mozart fashion to improvise (if they wish) the cadenza section which leads into the finale.The finale brings back the major key motifs from the opening to a coda section that concludes in a breathless flurry from the soloist.Paul Lovatt-Cooper Suitable for 3rd section bands and above, soloist grade 8
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£124.95Hyperlink - Peter Graham
Hyperlink was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education) for its 70th Anniversary Year. Since the anniversary coincided with other significant celebrations in 2022 (including the Royal Albert Hall/Ralph Vaughan Williams 150th and the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II) it was requested that these also be recognised in some way.
Where better to begin this challenging brief but with a computer search for the NYBBGB founder Dr Denis Wright (coincidently born in Kensington, home of the RAH). The subsequent rabbit warren of hyperlinks led me to structure the work through a series of "associations":
Movement I - The Voice of Jupiter.
Alongside the discovery that Denis Wright had been a church organist was the realisation that while the RAH has hosted thousands of musical events the fabric of the building actually incorporates a musical instrument, the famous Henry Wills organ (aka The Voice of Jupiter).Organ and J S Bach are synonymous (e.g. Toccata in D min) and so both become fundamental to the content of the movement. An opening 7 note quote from the Toccata leads to a mammoth sound cluster, as if every note on the huge RAH organ is sustained. The material which follows is based upon the notes BACH (in German notation). The notes are manipulated in various ways in a 12 tone matrix; reversed, inverted and so on. Other techniques employed in the movement are ones of which Bach was master, including ground bass and fugue.
Movement II - Remember Me.
The lives of Salvationist composer Ray Steadman-Allen (born 1922) and Ralph Vaughan Williams are remembered here, with "RSA" in musical notation and fragments of RVWs famous Tuba Concerto providing the source material.While writing the movement my father passed away and to close his funeral service the family chose the uplifting Robert Lowry hymn They'll sing a welcome home. It seemed fitting to conclude the movement with a reflective setting of the chorus, the repeated phrase "Welcome, welcome home" eventually disappearing into the ether.
Movement III - Vivat.
The finale takes the form of a short fantasy upon Hubert Parry's marvellous coronation anthem I Was Glad, truly a celebratory note with which to conclude.The first performance of Hyperlink was given by the NYBBGB conducted by Martyn Brabbins at the Royal College of Music, London on August 6th 2022.
In stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 days
-
£159.99Omaggio - Philip Sparke
Omaggio was commissioned by Steven Mead in celebration of his 60th birthday and in memory of his father, Rex. He gave the premiere of the brass band version in Rome in March 2022, accompanied by the Italian Brass Band conducted by Filippo Cangiamilla. The concert band premiere took place on 6th July that year as part of the 2022 Spanish International Tuba Euphonium Conference, accompanied by the Banda municipal de musica de Malaga. The concerto is set in 3 continuous movements, which are united by a recurring syncopated interval of a fifth. The first movement, FANTASIA, opens with this motive accompanying an extended monologue for the soloist. This is followed by a lengthy bridge passage by the band (piano), which is eventually joined by the soloist, who guides the music back to the opening soliloquy, leading to an energetic central section. This develops until the opening material again returns to introduce the second movement, BALLAD, which revolves around an expressive melody for the soloist, interspersed by accompanied cadenzas. The third movement, THE KING TRIUMPHANT, pays homage to Steven's late father, Rex, and its title alludes both to Rex's name ('Rex' being Latin for 'king') as well as his love of Eric Ball's Salvationist masterpiece, The Kingdom Triumphant. The finale is an energetic tour-de-force featuring an acrobatic 6/8 melody, which is interrupted twice by the magnificent hymn tune, Helmsley, which Ball uses so effectively in The Kingdom Triumphant. A galloping coda brings the work to a close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£61.00Lord of the Flies - Gauthier Dupertuis
The title of this work by Gauthier Dupertuis refers to the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, published in 1954. Lord of the Flies is intended to be a small symphonic poem describing different episodes of the book: the despair of the children stranded on the island, the use of the unifying conch and symbol of democracy, the adventures, and the formation of the camp and finally the savagery of the clan of Jack which undeniably leads to chaos. The finale is mysterious and half-tone, imbued with both the relief of having been rescued, and a deep sadness linked to the tragic events that have occurred on the island.All the main themes and elements developed in the work come from the idea "d-e-f", exposed from the first bars. The orchestration is intended to be variable in geometry and avoids the main technical difficulties related to the instruments. However, the composer wanted to find as many colors as possible and avoided confining himself to too "simple" harmonies.Lord of the Flies: a piece accessible to most brass bands.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£154.60Momentum Sequences - Fredrick Schjelderup
Momentum Sequences was commissioned by Skjold Skoles Musikkorps (Norway) for their 60th Anniversary in 2021 (later adapted for brass band to Smoras Skolemusikk).The title of the term Momentum can be explained by an event that creates extra energy, or the driving force of a moving object. In this case, both the driving force,The energy and the object can be translated to the music, the conductor and the band.The piece is divided in three movements; I.Signals, II.Light and III.Finale which builds up the Momentum of the piece' character and theme.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£57.00A Glorious Fanfare Op. 38/3 - Franco Cesarini
Franco Cesarini was commissioned to write A Glorious Fanfare by the Band Association of the Zug Canton in Switzerland (Zuger Blasmusikverband), to celebrate the centenary of the Association (1922-2022).The composition is the third in a trilogy of scintillating concert opening pieces (which make up opus 38), together with A Triumphant Fanfare and A Joyful Fanfare. A majestic fanfare entrusted to the trumpets introduces the piece. Subsequently a cantabile variant of the same theme is presented leading to a finale with rich and impressive sounds.An ideal opening piece that will delight your audience!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
View Music