Results
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£35.00A Manchester Tale - Andrew Duncan
This stunning piece depicts life in the City of Manchester in the years surrounding the Second World War and the effect these years had on the citizens of Manchester. It's a striking work, with creativity and colour, overflowing with emotion and atmosphere. For maximum effect, it even includes an optional part for a wartime siren which announces the start of an air raid attack.Winner of 'Best New Work' at Spennymore Brass Band Contest in 2000 (played by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band conducted by Garry Cutt), and featured on the Sellers Band CD, Celtic Connections.Look and Listen (performance courtesy of RNCM Brass Band at Unibrass 2018):
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£25.95Hymn for Africa - Peter Meechan
Part of the Brass Band Aid SeriesBrass Band Aid is a Charitable Organisation formed by members of Stanhope Silver Band, based in the North of England. From an original aim to raise awareness of the Make Poverty History campaign in their local area, a brass band CD recording was planned. The initiative took on a whole new dimension when the collection of local bands performing on CD were then joined by, what is now known as, The Brass Band Aid Celebrity Band, made up of many of the top brass musicians in the country.Following the success of this initial project the Celebrity Band has come together again to record a new CD - "Into Africa". This is a compilation of pieces especially written for the recording by some of the most esteemed brass band writers of today. 'Hymn for Africa' is one such piece, generously contributed by Peter Meechan in support of the ongoing work of the charity."Hymn for Africa is inspired by the the release of Nelson Mandela in the early 1990's and the effect it had upon not only South Africa, but all over the continent of Africa, as well as the World as a whole. The fact that one man can achieve this with peace and great dignity will always be an inspiration, not only to me, but many, many millions of humans around the globe.sense of dignity and peace the composer . A simple 8 bar melody, first heard on an unaccompanied flugel horn at the beginning, is the basis of the composition. A drone is then added, before a chorale, and finally a rousing climax when the percussion and full band enter. The piece ends at it began, with a peaceful, unaccompanied, flugel solo." (Peter Meechan).All sets sold raise money for Brass Band Aid - a charity The Music Company has continued to actively support since 25.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£30.00The St Louis Blues - Sandy Coffin, W C Handy
Two-Step MarchCommissioned by John Wallace, this arrangement of The St Louis Blues has been crafted by Sandy Coffin through close listening of the available recordings of the Harlem Hellfighters Band. Sandy had been heavily involved with the Historic Brass Society symposium 2017 held in New York and assisted John with his research on this fascinating band and the style of music it generated.Eye-witness accounts refer to the 369th band 'dancing' rather than 'marching'. Above all, in modern performance, finding a 'dancing beat' is crucial to a successful performance of this Ragtime march in order to do justice to the great pioneering work of James Reese Europe.Note the flutter-tonguing and use of muting, the counter-melody in soprano cornet, and the wilder and yet wilder nature of each repetition of the Chorus.Look and Listen:Background to the Harlem HellfightersThe US Army 369th Regiment, made up largely of African-Americans from New York, became known as the Harlem Hellfighters because of the heroic reputation which accrued to them during the actions they engaged in during the First World War in Europe.James Reese Europe was one of the most active African-American composer/musical directors in the pre-war American music scene. The legendary Harlem Hellfighters Band, which he assembled in 1917 from African-American and Puerto Rican musicians, came at an important transitional point in musical history. A new form of music called jazz was emerging from Ragtime and the performing style of Europe's band was immersed in the flow of this new direction.Europe's Harlem Hellfighters influenced and inspired everyone who heard them, including the welcoming crowd when they disembarked in France, bowled over by their swinging rendition of La Marseillaise. Reese Europe became a war hero, commanding a machine-gun unit as well as the band.On return from War in 1919 the band led a ticker-tape parade along Fifth Avenue in New York and soon made about 30 shellac recordings. These recordings display some of the fingerprints of their performing style: ragging, improvising, muting, wailing, smearing (their word for glissando) - and from the evidence of their recordings they took the printed page as a blueprint for individuality.In May 1919 during the Hellfighters' triumphant coast-to-coast tour after their return, James Reese Europe was tragically murdered, bringing to premature close, at the age of 39, the work of a great musical innovator.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£25.00Zephyrus - Andrew Duncan
The Big Blow', was a formal record attempt to create the largest brass band in the world. It took place at Butlin's Resort, Skegness on 20 January 27 and in addition to the fun generated by the event itself, it's main goal was to raise money in support of the work of Brass Band Aid, and specifically to provide long-term sponsorship for two children in the village of Adet, Ethiopia.The Music Company (UK) Ltd were one of the Official Partners of The Big Blow, providing the performance piece for the record attempt. As Editorial Director of the company, Andrew Duncan wrote 'Zephyrus' to mark the occasion.Originally presented at the event as 'March - The Big Blow', the published re-titling of 'Zephyrus' provides a more subtle alternative, taking its name from the Greek God of the West Winds.'Zephyrus' is a traditional British brass band march with an interesting African-feel lilt to the trio. This is enhanced by optional percussion instruments including djembi and bongos, which can also be covered by standard drum kit. A positive, upbeat concert march to reflect the sentiment behind 'The Big Blow' record attempt.There were 443 participants in total, including:Soprano Cornets x 12Cornets x 152Flugels x 19Tenor Horns x 68Baritones x 32Euphoniums x 32Trombones x 55Eb Basses x 35Bb Basses x 17Percussionists x 21The Music Company are pleased to continue their support of Brass Band Aid by offering a donation to this worthy charity for every set of this music sold.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£40.00Legends of Cyfarthfa - Matthew Hall
Legends of CyfarthfaCombining the music of Joseph Parry and the legendary Cyfarthfa Band, Legends of Cyfarthfa is a technically challenging but musically rewarding concert work. Robert Crawshay owned the Cyfarthfa Ironworks in South Wales creating a business empire second to none.Cyfarthfa Castle was built by Crawshay as the family home from the income made via the ironworks. He wanted his own private band to play under the name of the ironworks with the best players in the world, playing on the highest quality instruments at the time. Employing the band members under the guise of iron workers, the Cyfarthfa Band was made up of virtuoso players, performing for the pleasure of the Crawshay dynasty.This virtuosity can be heard in some of the more technically challenging sections of Legends of Cyfarthfa. Joseph Parry was born in Cyfarthfa.He composed the first piece of music specifically written for brass band called Tydfil Overture for the Cyfarthfa Band, alongside many other memorable works for other instrumentation.Legends of Cyfarthfa incorporates many of Parry's works including his opera Blodwen, hymn tune Aberystwyth, folk melody Myfanwy and the Tydfil Overture, alongside many other melodies from Wales. Sospanfach, Men of Harlech, Lisa Lan and Calon Lan are just a number of the melodies that are used in this composition.The premiere performance was given by Tredegar Town Band under the direction of Ian Porthouse at the 2010 Brass in Concert Championships where it was awarded the Cyril Beere Memorial Trophy for Best New Composition or Arrangement.https://matthew-hall.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/05-Legends-Of-Cyfarthfa.mp3Legends of Cyfarthfa
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£40.00Dragons' Rise - Matthew Hall
Dragons' Rise was commissioned by the Tredegar Town Band in July 2008 for their CD recording Spirit of the Valleys, to represent the band beginning their resurrection from a difficult time in the bands history back through to becoming on of the best bands in the world. It was premiered by the Tredegar Town Band at the National Eisteddfod contest in Cardiff in August 2008, performed live on national television, where the band were victorious.Dragons' Rise was the first piece composed by Matthew as the bands new composer-in-residence. Subsequent pieces have included Legends of Cyfarthfa and Nightingale Dances, both winners of the Cyril Beere award for Best New Composition at Brass in Concert, The Smile and Activate.
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£40.00
Spanning Revolutions - Matthew Hall
Spanning RevolutionsSpanning Revolutions was commissioned by The Ironbridge Gorge Brass Band Festival in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Ironbridge Gorge being made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The premiere performance was given at the Festival in 2011, based at the Museum of Iron, Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, performed by the combined bands of Tongwynlais Temperance and Wellington (Telford) under the direction of the composer.The Ironbridge Gorge is seen as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution; the section between G and I is a representation of a steam engine starting up.Spanning Revolutions
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£32.00Cityscapes (Score only) - Stephen Bulla
The music of Cityscapes intends to parallel the impressions, sights, and sounds of a modern city to what a painter might convey with a landscape portrait. 'Morning Scene - Awakening': the quiet solitude of a sunrise, birdsong, and empty streets can betray the crowded jungle of city life. These are the last moments of sleep before the alarm goes off and the coffee goes on. 'Faces in Motion': The pavements come alive, streets fill with cars, office buildings open, the rush hour is on - and everyone is late! 'Museum Visit': To step into a museum is to visit another world. Looking at what we've been and where we've been, there's always a sense of awe at how much has gone before; and the realisation of how much there is yet to come... 'Nightlife': After hours is not the time to slow down, for the city never really sleeps. Nightclubs open, and the jazz circuit is alive with swinging sounds. This is the soul of the city. Duration: 12:00
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
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£42.00Cityscapes (Parts only) - Stephen Bulla
The music of Cityscapes intends to parallel the impressions, sights, and sounds of a modern city to what a painter might convey with a landscape portrait. 'Morning Scene - Awakening': the quiet solitude of a sunrise, birdsong, and empty streets can betray the crowded jungle of city life. These are the last moments of sleep before the alarm goes off and the coffee goes on. 'Faces in Motion': The pavements come alive, streets fill with cars, office buildings open, the rush hour is on - and everyone is late! 'Museum Visit': To step into a museum is to visit another world. Looking at what we've been and where we've been, there's always a sense of awe at how much has gone before; and the realisation of how much there is yet to come... 'Nightlife': After hours is not the time to slow down, for the city never really sleeps. Nightclubs open, and the jazz circuit is alive with swinging sounds. This is the soul of the city. Duration: 12:00
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
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£58.00Henry V (Score only) - William Walton
It takes a special ability to compose film scores which serve the images perfectly yet translate into first class concert music. William Walton was such a talent as the continuing popularity of his brilliantly evocative film music shows. Included are the poignant Death of Falstaff, the victorious Agincourt Song and Touch her soft lips and part - one of the most tender miniatures in all music. Winwood Music are delighted to bring this music from Laurence Olivier's classic film to the brass band world in a fabulous arrangement, including optional narrator, by Edward Watson - so idiomatic that you'll think this is the original version! Full Movement Listing: Fanfare Prologue: O For a Muse of Fire Interlude at the Boar's Head Inn The Death of Falstaff Touch Her Soft Lips Fanfare Fanfare The Battle of Agincourt Bailero Interlude at the French Court The Agincourt Song
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days