Results
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£49.95Malcolm Arnold Variations (Score Only)
MALCOLM ARNOLD VARIATIONS was commissioned by Philip Biggs and Richard Franklin for the 20th All England Masters International Brass Band Championship held in the Corn Exchange, Cambridge on 25 May 2008. The work is dedicated to Anthony Day, long time carer of Sir Malcolm Arnold in his final years. I first met Malcolm and Anthony in 1990 and remained in constant touch until Malcolm's passing in 2006. Anthony, of course, remains a friend and plays his own role subliminally in this piece. The work is not based on any of Malcolm Arnold's own themes, rather it is a portrait of him (and by association Anthony Day) through my eyes and as a result of my friendship with both parties over some 18 years. If there is any theme as such it is the personalities of the players, the protagonist and his carer placed together by my own efforts coloured and influenced by aspects of Arnold's style and technique without recourse to direct quotation but through allusion and parody. It is of course designed as a brass band test piece but in my eyes is first and foremost a musical challenge. The pyrotechnical elements are there but always secondary to the musical thrust of the work's structure. I have long beforehand submerged myself in Malcolm Arnold's music and ultimately delivered this tribute. Music Directors will be advised to acquaint themselves with the composer's personal music, particularly the film scores, symphonies, concertos and ballets: the solutions towards a successful interpretation of my piece are all in there - and YES, I want, and sanction, this piece to be interpreted, and therein lies the challenge for those of you 'up front'! The challenge for players is that of virtuosity, ensemble and careful attention to where they are individually in relation to their colleagues - a question of balance, taste and insight. With regard to tempi, as is my usual custom, I have indicated all metronome marks with the prefix circa. I would suggest that the fast music is played at these tempos but that the more rubato moments can be allowed some freedom in expression and fluidity of line. With regard to the type of mutes to be employed - this decision I leave to the discretion of players and conductors. Structurally the work is cast as an Introduction, 20 Variations and a Finale. Some variations are self contained, others run into each other as sequences in the same tempo. In other variations, segments are repeated and developed. I could describe the overall concept as a miniature ballet or a condensed film score - there is much drama and character and the repeated elements assist this in driving the action forward. I have deliberately avoided the more extremely dark qualities of Malcolm's own music in this, my celebration of this master-composer, as I have always viewed (and evidenced by my previous Masters scores Tristan Encounters and Chivalry) that the Cambridge contest is a 'sunshine- affair' and firmly believe that Malcolm Arnold would have had it no other way too!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£109.99Frontier Vision - Stephen Bulla
Frontier Vision is a concert or contest piece based on three elements: the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Reformation Day, the Martin Luther melody, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Ein Feste Burg ist unser Gott) on whichthis composition is based, and thirdly the spreading of the evangelical movement in the late 19th century, of which the analogous storyline forms the structural basis of this work. Multi-cultural ethnic influences, along with the driving rhythms thatreflect the perseverance and hard work of those mission-minded pioneers, are both important components that make Frontier Vision an outstanding choice for your concert or contest. Frontier Vision was the test piece for the seconddivision in the Dutch National Brass Band Championships 2017.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£44.00Ceremonial Fanfare - Johan de Meij
The Ceremonial Fanfare was originally written for orchestral brass and percussion, commissioned by The Orchestra Osaka Symphoniker from Osaka, Japan. The world premiere performance took place on April 12, 2005 at The Symphony Hall in Osaka, conducted by maestro Heiichiro Ohyama.In April 2009, the combined brass sections of the New York Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra gave an impressive performance in New York City. The concert commemorated the Henry Hudson Quadricentennial and 400 years of friendship between The United States and The Netherlands.This version for brass band was written at the request of EBBC, the European Brass Band Contest 2012in Rotterdam, to serve as the opening fanfare of the festival.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£183.99Perihelion: Closer to the Sun - Philip Sparke
Perihelion was commissioned by the Cory Band as their own-choice piece for the 2013 European Brass Band Championships, held in Oslo, Norway. Winning the set piece section of the contest and coming second to Eikanger-Bjorsvik Musikklag with their own choice selection, Cory went on to become European Champions for the fifth time.Cory MD Philip Harper had asked for a 'Concerto for Band' to fully exploit his outstanding band of virtuosi, and composer Philip Sparke created a one-movement work with contiguous sections, first featuring horns and flugel, then trombones followed by cornets and a slower central section for percussion and baritones, euphonium andbasses.The piece is abstract in nature, without a specific programme, and the title merely reflects the fact that the piece was begun on January 2nd 2013, the day of Earth's perihelion - the point in its orbit when it is closest to the sun. It could also be argued that the piece weaves between moments of brilliant optimism and dark shadow, both of which can be the result of bright sunshine.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£30.00A Caledonian Fanfare - Lynsey Paterson
An extravaganza of a side drum and percussion feature with brass band.A refreshing addition to the solo works of our catalogue, this side drum feature has been composed by accomplished and widely recognised percussionist Lynsey Paterson, and scored for brass band by Andrew Duncan.A great feature for any concert or contest programme, adding a new and engaging dimension to the solo spot.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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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):
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£35.00One Small Step
Commissioned by The Flowers Band, helping to lead them to their 'Most Entertaining Band' award-winning performance at the 2013 Butlins Mineworkers Brass Band contest, the piece has also just received the 'Best New Composition' award at the 2013 West Lothian Festival of Brass with its performance by The Co-operative Funeralcare Band.Emotive and programmatic in its content, it is an ideal concert feature and, as displayed by its commissioners and award-winning performances, perfect for entertainment contests; opening up opportunities to incorporate multi-media snippets of the associated Presidential speeches and video footage of the historic moment it depicts.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.95Judd: The Promised Land
The Promised Land was commissioned by the Buy As You View Band and first performed by them as their own choice test piece at the European Brass Band Contest 2006 in Belfast. The story of Moses leading the Hebrews out of Egypt to find the Promised Land is one of the most dramatic to be found in the Bible. This music, although continuous, seeks in its seven main sections, to portray something of the drama found in the story.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£90.30Funky Hedde - Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
A good friend of mine, trombonist and professor Jesper Juul Windahl commissioned me a trombone quartet. I then wrote Four Nordic Folk Pops. The last of the four is a Norwegian tune called Havard Hedde in a funky version. Then I made a brass quintet version for Lofoten Brass Quintet for a their Australia tour. The trombonist in the quintet asked me for a brass band version to be used in an entertainment contest (SIDDIS Brass). Havard Hedde did not succeed in getting married, but I think this version wil make him dance again. Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£154.99Where Angels Fly - Kevin Houben
Where Angels Fly was commissioned by VLAMO (Flemish Band Association). Kevin Houben wrote this work for the 2017 European Brass Band Championships in Ostend, Belgium. This is a very technical, powerful and virtuosic work with a rather fragile and soft introduction in which the main motif derived from the Belgian composer Paul Gilson's (1865-1942) La Priere from Le Retour au Pays is developed and also includes Houben's own musical signature 'HBE(N)'. Where Angels Fly is a challenging, impressive and virtuosic contest piece.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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