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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£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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£74.99Kingdom of Dragons - Philip Harper
The 'Kingdom of Dragons' is Gwent in South Wales, known in ancient times as the Kingdom of Gwent, and more recently home to the Newport Gwent Dragons Rugby Union team. This piece was commissioned by the Gwent Music Service with additionalfunding from Ty Cerdd - Music Centre Wales to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2010 of the formation of the Gwent Youth Brass Band. Although the music is continuous, it is divided into four distinct sections, each one representing one of theunitary authorities which make up the County of Gwent. I. Monmouthshire, which has a large number of ancient castlesII. Blaenau Gwent, an historic area of iron and coal miningIII. Torfaen, where Pontypool Park is a notablelandmarkIV. Newport, the largest city in the region. The music begins with a two-bar fanfare, which sets out all the thematic material of the piece. The mood of pageantry that follows describes some of the ancient castles inMonmouthshire, with rolling tenor drums and fanfaring cornets. After a majestic climax the music subsides and quite literally descends into the coal mines of Blaenau Gwent. The percussion provides effects that suggest industrial machineryclanking into life, and the music accelerates to become a perilous white-knuckle ride on the underground railroad. There is a brief respite as a miner's work-song is introduced and, after a protracted build-up, this is restated at fortissimo beforethe music comes crashing to an inglorious close, much like the UK's mining industry itself. The middle sonorities of the band portray the tranquillity of Pontypool Park, a place of great natural beauty. Brief cadenzas for cornet and euphoniumlead to a full band reprise of the pastoral mood. At the end of this section we find ourselves at the top of the park's 'Folly Tower' from which the distant castle turrets of Monmouthshire are visible. Pontypool RFC was one of eleven clubs inthe first Welsh league in 1881 and a brief but bruising musical portrayal of the formidable Pontypool front-row, the 'Viet Gwent' leads into the work's final section. This portrays Newport, a symbol for progress and optimism for the future, idealsshared by the Gwent Youth Band itself. The music is a vigorous fugue which advances through various keys and episodes before the final triumphant augmented entry which brings the work to a magnificent conclusion. NOTES ONPERFORMANCEPercussion requirements: (3 players) Timpani, 2 Tenor Drums, 2 Tom toms, Snare Drum (sticks and brushes required), Bass Drum, Clash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Hi-hat, Sizzle Cymbal, Tambourine, Metal block with metalbeater (eg hammer), Rattle (eg football rattle), Glockenspiel, Xylophone
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£23.50A Brussels Requiem - SCORE ONLY - Bert Appermont
The attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016 created a shockwave throughout Belgium and the rest of the world. Equally, the attacks in Paris and Nice led to great public indignation, fear and disbelief. What has happened to the western world? Have our cultures grown apart to such an extent that we do not understand each other anymore? Bert Appermont's intention was to voice certain emotions that these acts of terror have caused: particularly fear, grief, anger, and helplessness. He uses the French children's song Au Claire de la Lune as a connecting thread throughout the work. This piece is also about hope and faith in another world, and is meant to pay homage to all victims, resulting in a dignified remembrance. The musical development is presented in four through-composed parts, titled Innocence, In Cold Blood, In Memoriam - We Shall Rise Again and A New Day. This work was commissioned by the Brassband Oberosterreich (Brass Band Upper Austria) to be played at the European Brass Band Championships 2017.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£379.99Tranquil Abiding - Paul Mealor
An 18-minute work for brass band, written for the world renowned Foden's Band. This is a melodic work divided into three movements. All sections of the band are featured with solo parts. Each movement is headed by a line from a poem by James Agee, the American novelist and poet. 'Tranquil Abiding', often referred to as 'Shamatha' in Buddhist traditions, signifies a state of peaceful and calm mental stillness, achieved through focused meditation, where the mind rests peacefully and without agitation."The term has always resonated with me particularly during my long, regular walks into, around and along the amazingly beautiful woodlands, mountains and streams of North Wales at night lit only by the stars. It's during these walks that my meditative focus is at its most emotive and I am at one with the 'it' that surrounds us", says Paul Mealor. "Often on these walks and meditations I am reminded of the American poet, James Agee's pantheistic vision of the natural world and the stars above, 'Sure on this Shining Night' which conjures a serene and harmonious image of a summer night, illuminated by celestial bodies and bathed in kindness. The poem evokes a sense of peace and tranquillity as nature heals and the earth is rejuvenated".
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£79.99Seal of Unity - Thierry Deleruyelle
Through a musical fresco, Seal of Unity tells the story of the Grutli Oath, an emblematic Swiss historical event dating back to the 13th century. The work begins in a mysterious fashion with the presentation of the main motif, representing the 3 primitive cantons. The piece then reveals all the colours of the brass band, with each of the instruments appearing in turn. After a slow chorale, the fast tempo returns before a dynamic and explosive coda.< BR>< BR>This work was commissioned by the Swiss Brass Band Association to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Swiss Brass Band Championships, in 2025.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£53.50Romance for Horn - Joseph Turrin
Several years ago, I attended an Imperial Brass concert in the United States, which featured soloist Sheona White on tenor horn. I was so impressed with her playing that I asked if I could write something for her. The result of the conversation is this piece, Romance for Horn. I thought I'd compose something melodically flowing with grace and tenderness that was very carefully crafted to match Sheona's beautiful sound on the tenor horn. As for the overall structure of the work, it basically consists of flowing melodic lines in the solo part supported by a pulsing harmonic current that runs throughout. A piano reduction of this fine Romance is also available.Joseph Turrin
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£49.99Fairytale of New York - Sean O'Loughlin
Recorded by the Celtic punk band The Pogues and featuring singer Kirsty MacColl, Fairytale of New York was released in 1987 and has remained an enduring and popular holiday favorite ever since. Comprised of two main sections, the opening is melancholy and lyrical, followed by the second part in a driving and energetic Irish-flavored groove. Sure to be a distinctive and appealing addition to any holiday concert.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£59.99A Lyrical Duet - Bert Appermont
This attractive composition focuses on the lyrical qualities of two solo instruments: tenor horn and baritone. An expressive theme is initially performed by the baritone; then the tenor horn takes over this melody. A rich dialogue arises, in which the soloists make music in sweet harmony, and then in a 'call-and-response game'. In the B section, the lyricism becomes more virtuosic, and a more playful character comes to light. There is then a gradual build-up to a grand tutti in which the opening theme resounds again. The work ends in a reverie, echoing the dreamy beginning.A Lyrical Duet was commissioned by tenor horn artist, conductor, and teacher Tim De Maeseneer, and is dedicated to him and Katrina Marzella. The work can be heard on Tim's solo CD, Beyond the Paradox, a project that was created in collaboration with Brass Band Willebroek and its conductor Frans Violet.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£134.99Mirage - Jan de Haan
The composition Mirage takes inspiration from the legendary ghost ship "The Flying Dutchman", a story deeply rooted in maritime folklore. Cursed to wander the oceans forever, the ship often looms like a mirage on the horizon - a mysterious apparition in which reality and illusion blend intangibly.In Mirage the music tries to bring this mystical appearance to life. The piece begins with an atmosphere of mystery and wonder, creating the illusion of a mirage. The listener is taken to the vast sea, where the boundaries between the real and the unreal blur and the ghostly silhouette of the ship gradually becomes visible. Suddenly the tone changes. Powerful rhythms and stormy harmonies follow, expressing the ship's battle against the raging forces of nature. After this intense section, in which the musicians are pushed to their limits, the tranquility of the sea returns. The recurring mirages inspired the composer to create a lyrical middle section, in which various soloists tell their stories within this legend. In the final part, the sails are hoisted again, and the three-master continues its endless journey.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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