Results
-
£15.00Symphony in Two Movements (Study Score Only)
Selected as the Championship Section test piece for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 2025This work was jointly commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales (NYBBW), the latter with funding from T Cerdd (Music Centre Wales), to celebrate their 60th and 30th anniversaries respectively. The first performances were given at Cadogan Hall, London, in April 2012, by the NYBBGB, conducted by Bramwell Tovey; and at the Great Hall, Aberystwyth University, in July 2012, by the NYBBW, conducted by Nicholas Childs.When I was approached about a joint commission to write a new work to celebrate the anniversaries of these two outstanding youth bands I was delighted to accept, and decided to respond by writing a work apposite for the magnitude of these special occasions, namely a 'symphony for brass'.Through a long journey of writing music for brass band, which commenced with Connotations (1977), and continued with Dances and Arias (1984), Of Men and Mountains (1991), The Trumpets of the Angels (2000) and Rococo Variations (2008), I arrived at what I regard as the most important work of the cycle to date, combining as it does serious musical intent with considerable technical demands. It is perhaps my most abstract work for brass band, avoiding any programmatic content.The symphony lasts for some 19 minutes and is structured in two linked movements. The form is based on that used by Beethoven in his final piano sonata (Op.111), which is in two movements only: a compact sonata-form allegro, followed by a more expansive theme and four variations. Prokofiev also adopted this model in his 2nd Symphony of 1925.The opening Toccata of this Symphony is highly dramatic but compact, whilst still retaining the 'traditional' structural elements of exposition, development and recapitulation; indeed, it also has the 'traditional' element of a contrasting second subject - a gentle, lyrical modal melody first heard on solo cornets.In contrast, the longer and more substantial second movement Variations is built around a theme and four variations. The slowly unfolding chorale-like theme accumulates both added note harmony and increasing instrumentation, whilst the four variations which follow are by turn mercurial (fast, starting with all the instruments muted), march-like (menacing, with short rhythmic articulations underpinning an extended atonal melody), serene (a series of 'romances' for solo instruments alongside echoes of the chorale) with an emerging theme eventually bursting into a climax of passionate intent; whilst the final variation is a dynamic scherzo (concertante-like in its series of rapid-fire solos, duets, trios and quartets) with the music gradually incorporating elements of the main ideas from the first movement, thus acting as a recapitulation for the whole work. It reaches its peroration with a return to the very opening of the symphony, now in the 'home' tonality of F, and thus creating a truly symphonic dimension to the music.Most of the melodic material of the symphony is derived from the opening eleven-note 'row', which contains various intervallic sets, and although the work is not serially conceived it does use some typical quasi-serial procedures, such as canons, inversions, and retrogrades. The symphony uses somewhat limited percussion, in line with a 'classical' approach to the sound world of the brass band, alongside a use of multi-divisi instrumentation, whereby each player has an individual part rather than the traditional doubling within certain sections of the band.- Edward GregsonDuration: 19.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£55.00Triumph Series Brass Band Journal, Numbers 1367 - 1370, November 2024
1367: March - Risen, conquering Son (Noel Jones)Two uplifting Easter songs are featured in this march; Low in the grave he lay (S.A.S.B. 228) with words and music written by Robert Lowry, and Thine is the glory (S.A.S.B. 276) with words by Edmond L. Budry and music by George F. Handel. Both serve as a powerful reminder of the resurrection of Jesus.1368: Horn Solo - O how much he cared for me (Keith Wilkinson)This solo was originally penned for Bandsman Frank Taylor, who plays Solo Horn at Stapleford Citadel Corps. As its basis, it uses the popular hymn No one ever cared for me like Jesus by Charles F. Weigle, a Baptist evangelist who wrote more than a thousand hymns.1369: My Redeemer lives (Olaf Ritman)This arrangement of Reuben Morgan's well-known worship song (S.A.S.B. 223) was first written as an accompaniment for congregational singing and can still be used in that way. It was inspired by the American R&B group Tower of Power and is meant to sound soulful and funky.1370: Selection - With life anew (Mervyn Clarke)This selection features music associated with two hymns; Blessd Saviour, now behold me (S.A.S.B. 575) by William Baugh and Breathe on me, breath of God (S.A.S.B. 294) by Edwin Hatch. Although Edwin Hatch's hymn-writing output was very small, this hymn has seen numerous settings and melodies associated with the words from which the piece takes its title; two of these melodies are featured here in Trentham and Carlisle.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£59.95Judd: Caelum Corona - Stephen Bulla
Stephen Bulla's 'Caelum Corona' ('Crown of Heaven') portrays, in sound, a Christian's walk in faith, intended metaphorically via a musical narrative reminiscent of the early church pilgrims, their struggles and triumphs. The composer initially evokes the atmosphere of Rome at the time of St. Paul and other martyrs, thus the Latin title. Bulla marks his imaginative tone poem with dark, brooding music in the first two of three parts, in each of which he has embedded an appropriate hymn or song reference as thematic material. The first of these sounds in a minor key following a symphonic exposition made up primarily of fanfare-like motives, the music at times quite harsh and abrasive. The song is Paul's statement of exuberant faith (2 Timothy 1:12) in the midst of prison and persecution: 'For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day.' More challenging, aggressive music returns until a further point of reflection on Christ's sacrifice is reached. The music graphically evokes the barren landscape of Golgatha, the horror of the crucifixion, including stark wind sounds, a loss of stability via eerie, dissonant chord clusters, and even the nails being driven into Christ's body. The Baritones and then Flugel Horn softly play 'He died of a broken heart.' Yet the Christian life, despite its perils - both at the time of Paul and now - is a victorious life, and the composer resolves the tensions of the work in a scintillating finale, a brilliant setting of the old song about spiritual warfare and the ultimate triumph of Christ the King: 'Victory for me!' (T.B. 841). The chorus of that tune proclaims: 'No retreating, hell defeating, shoulder to shoulder we stand; God look down, with glory crown our conq'ring band.' That crowning is the same one sought and claimed by St. Paul (2 Timothy 4:8): 'Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that day, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.' Believers look forward to participating in the final coronation of their Saviour - King of Kings and Lord of Lords - while humbly desiring their own 'crown of heaven.'
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£110.00
Red Lines (Bra) - Stijn Aertgeerts
Red Lines was commissioned by the Swiss Army Brass Band and their conductor Philipp Werlen. The title is a reference to their very distinctive black uniforms with Red vertical lines. Switzerland is a country with a tremendously rich brass band culture and have some of the best bands in the world. The individual level of musicians is also of incredibly high quality. The work begins very bombastically with continuous 8th notes. This immediately sets the drive for the entire first movement where the low brass can also show off huge sounds several times. It culminates in a grand tutti before the music calms down in the second movement where the euphonium can show its solistic qualities and the band can show a big difference in dynamics and sound. The final movement is driven by the drums and timpani that provide a solid boost to keep moving the thematic material forward in the band and through the percussion solo a big build-up to a glorious finale.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£66.00Terminal - Gauthier Dupertuis
Terminalby Gauthier Dupertuis is an energetic, danceable work that captures the electric atmosphere of an airport terminal from morning to night. Repetitive rhythmic structures - symbolizing the constant hustle and bustle of an airport - form the connection between a majestic introduction and the central section, which explores a sound world tinged with 80s and 90s pop and funk music.The piece was commissioned by the Swiss National Youth Brass Band for the 2025 session of its B ensemble, also marking the Youth Brass Band 50th anniversary.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£159.99Other Lives - Oliver Waespi
Other Lives is works perfectly for a competition but can also be programmed as concert work. The dark chords at the beginning of the piece are derived from "Der Doppelganger", one of Franz Schubert's late songs. After a short development the music begins to accelerate and find its own shape, gradually moving away from the introduction. The entire first part, "Rage", has an intensely agitated character. The ensuing "Reflection" turns back to the initial chord progression, before a series of interspersing solos explore time and space at a slower pace. After another musical surge, the music is brought close to silence and then gives way to the third part, "Redemption".Here, a widely spaced sound field contains a remote allusion to another work by Schubert "Ruckblick". After this farewell, an abstract musical transformation triggers an emotional change, as the initial motifs are now presented in their inversed form in order to create a much brighter harmonic landscape. Moreover, in the last part of the piece, "Renewal", the grim, tense atmosphere of the first part is transformed into a great energy. Other Lives was commissioned by the Valaisia Brass Band.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£105.20Viss eg var ein julekonge (Fra Julekongen) - Stray - Øystein Sjøvaag Heimdal
This is the theme song from the Advent-series "Julekongen" ("The Chiristmas King"), premiered at the Norwegian Broadcasting Coprporation (NRK) in 2012. The present arrangement tries to recreate a bit of the mood from the original recording and performance of the song. You may let other players perform as soloist(s). The arrangement is suitable to focus on sound quality at all grade levels. You may end the performance at bar 61.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£122.10Den store dagen - Benny Borg - Bjørn Morten Kjærnes
This beautiful song contains a huge contrast between the hopeful and the disappointing. A mother has her birthday and is waiting her children to celebrate it. Each verse starts optimistically, but the short chorus is characterized by the disappointment, that everyone calls, and cannot come. This has been tried recreated musically, mostly in the last two choruses, as it dawns on her that she will not receive a visit. It's a beautiful tune, but with a serious message that it's easy to take someone for granted.One of the elements Hjorring Brass Band (DK) came up with after rehearsal, was that they really liked the change between the ballad parts with even eights and the swing parts. This also gives the piece a sense of "parlando" character, which tells a story, and is therefore important to focus. It is not quite simple, as the melody also in those parts with even eights has some triplet rhythms. Therefore, this is a topic you can work on very consciously.If you have heard the Wind Band version, you can notice that both keys and modulation are different in the Brass Band arrangement to sound better for this instrumentation.Regarding instrumentation, Flugelhorn, Solo Horn and Euphonium have important roles, in addition to Solo Cornet.It is also possible to use a vocal soloist, but then you have to soften the melody voices, especially, where small variations in the melody have been made for the wind instruments.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£60.99Horns Enjoying Themselves - Bertrand Moren
This composition highlights the tenor horns. Long understated and unfairly relegated to the accompaniment, the tenor horn has gained prominence in the brass band during recent years.Horns Enjoying Themselves is an entertaining piece that will delight performers and audience alike. The first part is inspired by circus, with playful themes featuring humorous dissonances. The second part is a slow and calm journey through the mellow and luminous sound colours of the tenor horn. The third and last movement opens with a cadenza played by the soloists (alone). Written in triple time, it showcases the technical skills of the soloists.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£59.99Panis Angelicus - César Franck - Philip Sparke
Although Cesar Franck won many prizes during his student days his music was generally unrecognised by his contemporaries. His pieces were written in the romantic style whilst retaining a classical structure and his later compositions were referred to as 'cathedrals of sound'. Panis Angelicus is poetic and almost serene and this arrangement by Philip Sparke retains all of the beauty of the original.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
View Music