Results
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£70.00
Origins - Peter Meechan
Origins is in three movements, with each movement having a different subject matter, all linked by the idea of origins: the first movement refers to musical origins; the second to the origins of life; and the final movement to the space exploration - the research of all origins. The first movement is based on a short motif, heard in the first three notes the soloist plays. These three notes cover the interval of a minor third (an interval that often plays a crucial role in my music) on which the whole concerto is built. The soloist and accompaniment interplay freely throughout the opening section, before an ostinato accompaniment appears - over which the soloist sounds a long legato melody. A short cadenza follows and a return to the opening material leads the movement to an end. The second movement, titled Harryas Song, is - as tradition dictates - a slow movement. Happy and reflective in nature, the main melody was written on the evening that my closest friend, Mark Bousie (a fine euphoniumist himself), and his wife Jayne, had their first child - Harry Bousie. It seemed only fitting that this song should be written for Harry in celebration. The final movement brings me back to a lifelong fascination with space, and in this particular movement, the Space Shuttle Discovery. Having completed 39 missions (including flying the Hubble telescope in to orbit), and spent a total of 365 days in space, SS Discovery made its final voyage in 2011 and was taken to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. in April 2012. This final movement, titled Discovery, pays tribute to the great shuttle whose missions inspired millions across the generations. Origins was commissioned by Marco Schneider, Adrian Schneider and the Dunshan Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Beijing, China.
Estimated dispatch 12-14 working days
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£35.00
The Pohutukawa Stands - Peter Meechan
The earthquake that hit Christchurch in February 2011 took the lives of 181 people. Being asked to write this work in their memory was an honour, but I didnat want it to simply be performed as a memorial. I wanted to compose a work that conveyed the sadness and grief for those lost - a work of remembrance - but also a piece of music that represented peace, hope and strength.The title and dedication come direct from the commissioners of the work, Woolston Brass Band. The Pohutukawa Trees stay standing and secure, defiant of the earthquake, in Christchurchas aGarden Citya, and the Pohutukawa tree also has special significance beyond their physical appearance.According to Maori mythology, the spirits of the dead travel to Cape Reinga on their journey to the afterlife to leap off the headland and climb the roots of the 800 year old Pohutukawa tree and descend to the underworld to return to their traditional homeland of Hawaiiki-a-nui, using the Te Ara Wairua, the 'Spirits' pathway'.The Pohutukawa Stands is dedicated to the lives lost in the Christchurch earthquake.
Estimated dispatch 12-14 working days
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£35.00
These Mist Covered Mountains - Peter Meechan
These Mist Covered Mountains was commissioned by Keith Johnson (KMJ Recordings) for soprano cornetist, Mandy Crowther, to whom the piece is dedicated.In an age where we seem to be inundated with endless news cycles of various wars that we as a nation are involved in, and also those that we are not, it seems that war is now a constant, and we are in a never ending state.This short piece is intended to represent the cyclic nature of war, and the way that war never seems to have a true conclusion.
Estimated dispatch 12-14 working days
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£30.00Brass Braziliana - Keiron Anderson
The Samba has a special significance in Brazilian musical culture and it is symbolic of sheer joy and energy. Music is a mix of communication and energy and this work is designed to allow the players to generate that energy, thus communicating it to the audience. That infectious drive and musical energy will be a high point of any live performance or recording.
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£30.00Django - Jock McKenzie
Django is inspired by the sounds of 'Hot Club Jazz'. The origins of this style also known as Gypsy Swing or Jazz Manouche were to be found in France in the 1930s. Indeed, the most famous group, based in Paris was the "Quintette du Hot Club de France" and featured in its ranks the legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli. My composition Django seeks to provide a 'beginners guide' to some of the typical elements of this musical style: After a 'faux improvised' opening flourish, the main theme is in the characteristic minor key, including use of arpeggio figures to point the direction of the melodic line. The melodies throughout the piece are presented in a duet-like manner, spaced in intervals of 3rds and 6ths. The accompaniment based strongly around the minor 6th chords is designed to imitate the role of the rhythm section in a typical gypsy swing band.
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£30.00Flanfayre - Stephen Deazley
I was asked by Music for Youth to write a flexibly scored fanfare for the school proms at the Royal Albert Hall and at their National Festival in Birmingham in 2013. At its first performance at the National Festival, over 200 young brass players performed Flanfayre in Birmingham Town Hall, directed by Roger Argente, members of Superbrass and myself. The score is a progressive romp through some increasingly dance-like grooves, borrowing some of its swing from South America, from marches and big band, moving from a really quite straight opening to a "let-go" moment at the end. It is more like a flan full of different flavours, than a fanfare, hence the title. I set myself a challenge to write 100 bars but ended up with 102, which, after the introduction, can be broken down into 10 easily discernible sections each with their own mini-musical narrative. If you have time feel free to teach the audience the clapping groove. I also modelled the slow moving melody of the final section on the following words; "nothing beats a nice big cheesy, nothing beats a nice big cheesy, nothing beats a nice big cheesy, nothing beats a cheesy flan". Feel free to incorporate these too, and perform only under the strict instruction that you have fun ! - Programme Note copyright of Stephen Deazley
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£30.00Funk - Keiron Anderson
The driving rhythms and lush harmonies of funk music is a perfect vehicle for the tight, dynamic playing of a solid brass group. The brass sections of Tower of Power and Earth, Wind and Fire inspired players from the 1980s onwards and being part of this type of rhythmic force is a great experience. This piece is designed to be rewarding for all the performers and of course the most important group; the audience.
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£30.00Gallipoli - James Stretton
My interest in the disastrous Dardanelles campaign of WW1 was first stimulated when I saw Peter Weir's 1981 film "Gallipoli" starring a very youthful Mel Gibson. The campaign ran from February 19th 1915 to January 9th 1916. The Turkish victory ultimately stemmed from the British foolhardy underestimation of the military potential of the declining Ottoman Empire. Significant numbers of British and French troops were involved against the Turkish & German forces. However, it is the heroic involvement of the ANZAC forces comprising of 50,000 Australians and 15,000 New Zealanders that is now at the forefront of our memories. The ANZACS were at the spearhead of the amphibious assault of April 25th 1915 and sustained appalling losses in dreadful conditions. Indeed, many historians consider the bravery and fortitude displayed by the ANZACS at Gallipoli to be an important component in the national consciousness of Australia and New Zealand. A century on from the end of "The Great War", the war to end all wars it is to the brave ANZAC soldiers that this concert march is humbly dedicated. James Stretton - Blenheim, New Zealand.
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£30.00Homage to Bach - Chris Houlding
Inspired by the master of counterpoint, Homage to Bach was written by Chris as an exercise in simplicity itself, designed to not only test the musicians playing skills and sense of style, but to encourage them to develop their "ensemble radar" through carefully listening, fine tuning, subtle dynamics and variation in articulation. The brass band has a long tradition of using chorales and hymns as a training exercise. As an alternative to existing hymn tunes, I have composed this simple chorale melody in three verses with a short introduction and links to specifically develop a quality 'tutti' band sound. Certain parts are doubled allowing performances by incomplete bands while presenting full outfits with an intonation and stylistic challenge. The printed phrasing is to be adhered to at all times regarding breaths, thus producing a seamless counterpoint. Simple yet satisfying for a quieter and atmospheric concert interlude.
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£30.00Is That The Time ? - Paul Mottram
Is That The Time ? was written in 2014 for UK national award winning band 'Youth Brass 2000'. It's a showpiece in a jazzy fusion idiom with a full and central role for the kit drummer and percussionists. The temptation must be resisted to play the piece too quickly and in so doing losing the 16th note syncopations inherent within the rhythmic groove. The challenge is not so much one of getting the notes, although there are a few harmonic surprises along the way, as one of playing as a cohesive rhythmic unit.
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