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£36.00Edward Gregson: The World Rejoicing
DescriptionComposer's NoteIn searching for a common link between the brass band traditions of the various European countries that commissioned this work, I considered the fact that hymns have always played an important role in the relationship that brass bands have with their particular communities; and thus I turned to a well-known Lutheran chorale, Nun danket alle Gott (Now thank we all our God), written around 1636 by Martin Rinkart, with the melody attributed to Johann Cruger. A number of composers have incorporated this chorale into their music, most famously J.S.Bach in his Cantatas no. 79 and 192, and Mendelssohn in the Lobsegang movement of his 2nd Symphony (the harmonization of which is usually used when this hymn is sung).It seemed fitting therefore for me to return to a compositional form I have used many times before (Variations) and to write a work based on this hymn. I have used it in a similar way to that which I employed in my Variations on Laudate Dominum of 1976 - that is, rather than writing a set of variations using elaborations of the complete tune, I have taken various phrases from the chorale and used them within the context of other musical material, applying an overall symphonic process of continuous variation and development. The structure, or sub-divisions of the work, which is through composed and plays without a break, is as follows: Prelude, Capriccio, La Danza 1, Processional, La Danza 2, Arias and Duets, Fuga Burlesca, Chorale, and Postlude.The work is also partly autobiographical - in the manner say of Strauss's Ein Heldenleben - in that I have incorporated into the score brief quotations from many of my other major works for brass band. In that respect, The World Rejoicing sums up a particular facet of my life as a composer, and reflects the admiration I have always had for what is surely one of the great amateur music-making traditions in the world.The World Rejoicing is dedicated 'in loving memory of my brother', Bramwell Logan Gregson, who sadly passed away in the Autumn of 2018.Edward Gregson
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£65.00AN ELGAR PORTRAIT - D.Price
This work was composed in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the birth English Composer Sir Edward Elgar. The suite is in three movements: 'Introduction', 'Elegy' and 'March', each of which have been inspired by three of Elgar's most celebrated works; Chanson de Matin, Nimrod ('Variation IX' from the Enigma Variations) and Pomp and Circumstance No.1.'Introduction' - Hollybush HillHollybush Hill is the name of one of the peaks of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. The Malverns were a favourite walking area for Elgar and his wife, and their panoramic views inspired much of Elgar's music.'Elegy' - BroadheathBroadheath is the small village at the foot of the Malvern Hills where Elgar was born (and lived at various times throughout his life). Elgar is buried not far from Broadheath at St Wulstan's in Little Malvern. 'March' - Worcester CathedralMany of the Worcestershire ensembles and music festivals played an important role in Elgar's early musical education. He was heavily involved in The Three Choirs Festival and either conducted or played in many of the light orchestras and vocal groups that performed at venues across Worcester. A statue of Elgar overlooks the Cathedral at the end of Worcester High Street.An Elgar Portrait has been used regularly as an own-choice test-piece for Section 4 bands, and was also selected as the set work for the Swiss National Championships in 2007 as well as the Pontins Championships in 2008. The composer has slightly reworked this piece for the Section 4 Final of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 2020 and it's this version that should be performed at the contest. If bands currently have an older version in their libraries, please contact us directly for more information.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£110.00
The Final Frontier - Geert Jan Kroon
In The Final Frontier, the composer explores different associations with the universe. Inspired by Stephen Hawking's (1942-2018) book Brief Answers to the Big Questions, the piece describes the wonders and dangers of the universe, the big questions about the smallest elements, and the possibility of space travel. The work consists of four movements. The first movement, 'Energy and Space', is the exposition of both main materials. With energy and space, a universe can be created. The second movement, 'The Great Unknown', is a fast section in which the materials are further explored and depicts the dangers of the universe, like supernovae and black holes. The third movement, 'The Big Questions', is a slow movement with different soloists and music of a reflective nature. Imagine how in the tiniest elements, whole dimensions could be rolled up. Also, a Dutch pioneer in cosmology is hidden in the notes. The fourth movement, 'The Final Frontier', is a big build-up to a majestic finale, portraying the excitement of space travel. The Final Frontier was the set test piece of the 3rd section at the Dutch National Brass Band Championships.
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£29.95Dream Sequence - Jonathan Bates
DURATION: 3'00". DIFFICULTY: 3rd+. Composed for Strata Brass in 2020 as part of their COVID-19 induced, virtually recorded 'A Christmas Carol' (a new suite for brass bandlasting around 30 minutes in total), 'Dream Sequence' is an ethereal texture-driven work relying heavily on the use of tuned percussion to create a dreamy layer of sound within which the band intersperse. In the context of the story, this work is used to set the scene of Scrooge drifting to sleep, contemplating his ways before the visit of the 3 ghosts later that evening. The 2 Christmas carols utilised in this work are 'O Come Emmanuel' and 'Carol of the Bells'. .
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£34.95Descent, The - Christopher Bond
The Descent takes its inspiration from Victorian author Jules Verne; specifically, his work Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. In Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Professor Arronax finds himself a prisoner of the mysterious Captain Nemo, on a remarkable submarine called the Nautilus. Nemo is one of Verne's most memorable characters. He's a man who has turned his back on the world, and his name - Nemo - means 'No Man.' He has vowed never to set foot on dry land ever again. Verne gives his hero's brilliance and benevolence a dark underside - the man's obsessive hate for Empires and Imperialism. Captain Nemo is a genius, an engineer, an artist, an athlete, sometimes a pacifist, sometimes a righter of wrongs, sometimes an out and out villain, and he invented the Nautilus. The Descent is based on the idea of a descent to the depths of the ocean in the Nautilus with Captain Nemo, with the cornet soloist expressing both the anguish and reflective sides of the character. On one hand, a troubled and agitated figure, juxtaposed with the reflective memories of his homeland, children, mother and father. The work was written for and commissioned by Flowers Band as part of their programme of music at Brass in Concert 2019.
Estimated dispatch 10-14 working days
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£29.95Danse Macabre - Jonathan Bates
DURATION: 4'00". DIFFICULTY: Championship. 'Danse Macabre' is a showpiece solo for Euphonium, composed for the Reg Vardy Band for the 2019 Brass in Concert Championships, held at The Sage, Gateshead. This work formed part of a set based around the 4 human temperaments; choleric, sanguine, phlegamtic and melancholic - the latter of which is represented by 'Danse Macabre'. . This solo is in 2 contrasting sections, opening with a sombre and mournful melodic passage to showcase the soloist's expressive musical qualities before breaking out into a wild dance (loosely based around fragments from the famous Saint-Saens version) demonstrating a great range of technical wizardy, range and flexibility. .
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£29.95One Bitter December's Night - Jonathan Bates
'One Bitter December's Night' was composed for the Elland Silver Youth Band's appearance at the 2018 Youth Brass In Concert Championships, held at The Sage, Gateshead. This piece is a graphic description of the evening of 29th December, 1940 when over 100,000 bombs were dropped on London overnight in the height of the Blitz leading to the Second Great Fire of London. The music is set from the viewpoint of a young child sleeping peacefully in central London as the sound of bombs and sirens get closer and closer. .
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£34.95The Cave of Wonders - Jonathan Bates
DIFFICULTY: Champ. DURATION: 3'00". 'The Cave of Wonders' was composed for the Foden's Band's winning performance at the 2023 Brass in Concert Championships, held at The Glasshouse, Gateshead where the band performed a set of music inspired by the Disney classic, 'Aladdin'. Near the start of the film, Aladdin enters the Cave of Wonders to retrieve the golden lamp and is instructed to touch nothing but the lamp. His pet monkey Abu grabs some of the surplus jewels triggering the cave's collapse. Trapped, Aladdin and Abu explore the cave, discovering and releasing a magic carpet. The carpet instructs Aladdin to rub the lamp as their only hope of escape and in doing so releases a mighty Genie from it's captivity.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£39.95To a New World - Jonathan Bates
DIFFICULTY: 1st+. DURATION: 5'00". 'To a New World' was composed for the Foden's Band's winning performance at the 2023 Brass in Concert Championships, held at The Glasshouse, Gateshead where the band performed a set of music inspired by the Disney classic, 'Aladdin'. This was the finale to the band's programme, beginning in the frozen wastelands where Jafar has banished Aladdin and Abu, before they are rescued by the Magic carpet and escape back to Agrabah, battle Jafar once more, defeating him and taking Jasmine's hand in marriage. The music itself uses a number of quotes from songs within the original soundtrack, notably 'Prince Ali', 'One Jump Ahead' and 'A Whole New World'.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£29.95Under the Cover of Night - Jonathan Bates
DURATION: 3 minutes. DIFFICULTY: 3rd+. 'Under the Cover of Night' was composed for BD1 Brass as part of a set of music inspired by the fairytale of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. . In BD1's adaption of the fairytale, Maid Marian is held hostage by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and it is up to Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men to rescue her from captivity. This mysterious bluesy feature for Flugel, Drum Kit and Euphonium & Baritone section paints the picture of the group quietly creeping around in their attempt to rescue Marian. Within the music, there is opportunity for staging, with the Merry Men (Euphoniums & Baritones) moving around the band to reach Marian (Flugel) on the other side of the hall.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
