Results
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£74.99Olympus - Philip Harper
Selected as the test-piece for the 3rd Section Regional contests of the National Brass Band Championships 2012The music begins with a depiction of the exciting Opening Ceremony where noisy fanfares and sudden swells add to the cosmopolitan flag-waving clamour. Without a break the music leads to The Chariot Race, a fast compound-time gallop withthundering hooves in the basses and percussion, and a heroic melody introduced by the tenor horns. Chariot racing was the main equestrian event in the Ancient Greek Games, which were founded in memory of King Oenomaus. In the Greek legend he suffereddefeat in a chariot race to his son-in-law and Zeus' grandson, Pelops, but much of the music is bitter-sweet to symbolise the fact that Pelops had to cheat to win drawing parallels with some of the issues still facing modern-day athletics. A slow, mystical passage follows, describing The Temple of Zeus at Olympia. The statue of Zeus, who was honoured throughout the Ancient Games' history, was housed inside the temple and was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Themusic depicts this period of the dawn of one of mankind's most ancient civilisations and there is a series of solo passages above a drone. The next section is called The Olympic Flame and a broad and lyrical anthem-like melody develops slowly in the euphoniums, which gradually ascends until the horns can take it over before passing upwards again to the cornets (Higher). The musicbursts into bright life at the lighting of the flame and the regular rhythmic pattern which has been established goes through an accelerando (Faster). The final section is called The Olympic Truce and aims to capture the cooperative spirit of the ancient practice of ending wars for the duration of the games. The anthem-like melody makes an affirmatory return (Stronger) and the work ends asit began with a blaze of colour and a real sense of optimism and global celebration. "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (Faster, Higher, Stonger)NOTES ON PERFORMANCEPercussion requirements: 1 to 3 players (3 Timpani, Snare Drum, Tenor Drum, Cymbals, Glockenspiel, Triangle)
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£154.99The Divine Right - Philip Harper
At the time of composing this piece, the Arab Spring was sweeping through the Middle East. It seemed that almost every week a new countrys people had risen up against the regimes and dictatorships which had prevailed for generations, leaving manynations at a defining crossroads in their history. There were so many possible ways ahead: so many hopes, yet so many uncertainties.My music is a depiction of these revolutionary times, and several musical themes are in turn presented, discussed, considered, fought over, altered, rejected or accepted. Most nations have had, or probably will have, their own Arab Spring, including my own, the United Kingdom. Events of 17th Century Britain provide the context for this piece, particularly those following the execution of the tyrant King Charles I on30 January 1649. The regicide was in part due to Charless steadfast belief in the Divine Right of Kings, and led to a tumultuous interregnum, where England stood at its own defining crossroads.The music begins turbulently, before King Charles appears and is led to the gallows outside Banqueting House in central London where he is brutally decapitated. From the assembled crowd rose, according to one observer, a moan as I never heard before and desire I may never hear again.The music descends to emptiness. The musical argument which follows is not strictly programmatic, but a number of musical themes are all thrown into the melting pot, representing ideas such as: religion; military force; reasoned Parliamentary debate; and the chattering,irrepressible voice of the people. Additionally, there are some quotations from the music of royalist composer Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656), who was often in tune with the feeling of the times. This defining episode in Englands history was brought to a close with the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, and as the exiled King Charles II rode back into London the diarist John Evelyn wrote: Never was so joyful a day seen in this nation. I stood in the Strand and beheld it, and blessed God.At the end of the piece the bells ring out, and the musical appearance of the King has transformed from turbulent to triumphant. Philip Harper, 2013
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£64.40Vera Lynn Forever - Willy Hautvast
Lady singer Dame Vera Lewis-Welch, better known as Vera Lynn, performed with the bands of Joe Loss, Charlie Kunz and Ambrose. During the Second World War she inspired all British soldiers involved in the war and got the surname Sweetheart Of The Forces. In the fifties she presented her own B.B.C. television shows. Willy Hautvast arranged her four most famous songs We'll Meet Again, Now Is The Hour, From The Time You Say Goodbye and The White Cliffs Of Dover. (Newly engraved 2016)
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£77.20The Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber - Andrew Lloyd Webber - Henk Ummels
Once again Henk Ummels has succeeded to make a rich and full arrangement using only 5 voices. This time an arrangement of highlights from the biggest musical hits from the most well known musical composer of all time. It has been arranged for beginner bands, but also very suitable for lower level bands who want something fun and entertaining. Includes music from: The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£149.40Winter Solstice - Stig Nordhagen
This work describes the shortest day og the year, but also the longest night. The solo cornet summarizes the struggle of the winter and darkness. The solo rises out of the coral in the beginning of the piece, and escapades into rhapsodic parts, until the coral again catches all players in the ensemble.Throughout the piece we hear the soloist take us on a journey from despair and darkness, through gratitude for the solstice that turns the night into day. And gives us all light and hope for a better tomorrow.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£60.00Occasional Overture - Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten composed his Occasional Overture Op.38, for the opening of the BBC Third Programme on 29th September 1946, when it was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult. It was notheard again until 1982, when the composer's Executors decided that it should be revived. Given the dominance of brass and woodwind in this concise but exciting work, versions for brass band and wind band have been preparedfor Britten's centenary year. Brass Band Grade 6: Championship. Duration: 8 Minutes.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£76.99Invocation - Marc van Delft
In this work the Dutch composer Marc van Delft attempts to bring together two parties (former friends), after they have grown inexplicably apart. For this reason he calls in the help (Invocation) from the medium of music.At first, 'Invocation' radiates a sense of serene calme, from which the composer gradually creates an atmosphere resembling a conversation.Half-way there is an increase of suspense, ending once again in calm.The listener remains uncertain, however, regarding the finish. In dit werk probeert de Nederlandse componist Marc van Delft twee partijen samen te brengen (vroegere vrienden), nadat ze op onverklaarbare wijze uit elkaar zijn gegroeid. Daaromroept hij de hulp in (Invocation) van het medium muziek. In het begin straalt 'Invocation' een gevoel van serene rust uit, waaruit de componist geleidelijk een sfeer creeert die lijkt op een gesprek. Halverwege is er een toename van de spanning, die weer in rust eindigt. De luisteraar blijft echter onzeker over de afloop.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99Onward! - Gawan Roberts
A brief history: Pentecost Monday was a special day for schools in Yorkshire (England). There were a variety of activities. The pupils of Sabine Baring-Gould would meet with the children of a nearby village. It seemed like a good idea that during the walk would be sung. But she could not find a suitable song and decided to write one by herself. "Onward Christian Soldiers" was the result. It soon became very popular, though she herself was not entirely satisfied with the rhyme scheme. The melody used (St. Gertrude) was by the famous English composer Sir Arthur S. Sullivan. Back to now: Gawan Roberts, has given the hymn a proper update. He gave the still popularsong a solid rock beat and added daring harmonies. So it's popular, for current generations, again for years. Onward!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99
Scottish Festival Overture - Bruce Fraser
The Scottish composer, Bruce Fraser, has always devoted himself to educational music. In this composition, in which his love for Scotland can be heard, again, he has clearly considered the possibilities of the orchestra. A delightful concert piece which can be performed well by beginning bands.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99Step Aside - David Well
Excuse me, may I play along? Could you step aside, please? 'Step Aside' is a pleasant competition both between two tempi and among the different parts. After a short, slow introduction it is the drummer who, without asking the questions above, sets the high pace. As soon as this rapid movement has been established, 'part 1' takes the lead, but the other parts obviously don't want to miss a thing and follow in rapid succession. At the end of the composition the various parts 'compete' in order to be able to play solo for a while, but soon others join in again, asking 'Excuse me, may I play along?'
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days