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£95.00Variations on a Theme of Michael Tippett (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Hindmarsh, Paul
A Centenary Tribute by Michael Ball, Edward Gregson, Elgar Howarth, Bramwell Tovey and Philip WilbyThis unique 'pice d'occasion' arose out of a telephone conversation in 2004 with Alan Wycherley, who was the soprano cornet player of the Foden's Richardson Band at the time. He indicated that the band would like to include an original birthday tribute for Edward Gregson (60) and Elgar Howarth (70) in its concert at the 2005 RNCM Festival of Brass in Manchester. I have been Artistic Director of Manchester's Festival of Brass since it was established in 1990 as a BBC Radio 3 series, As the centenary of the birth of Sir Michael Tippett fell on 5 January 2005, I devised this collective work as a way of embracing all three anniversaries in a novel way.The idea of joint compositions is not a new one in the classical music world. In the 1860s, Verdi was joined by a number of his contemporaries in a Requiem Mass for Rossini. In this country there have been a number of orchestral examples over the past fifty years, but never before for the brass band. Although Tippett composed only one work for brass band, Festal Brass with Blues, his orchestral works and operas are full of idiomatic brass writing. The theme I chose for this celebration is one of Tippet's most memorable miniatures featuring wind and brass. In the opera Midsummer Marriage it marks the entry of the Ancients. It is also included in the orchestral Suite in D (1948), for the Birthday of Prince Charles.I invited five of the leading contemporary voices in brass band music to add their own creative perspectives to the little Tippett theme, with it's characteristic rhythms, embellishments and modality - the Lydian mode. Each contribution was designed to fit into a tonal and formal template to give the whole work a flow and continuity. In Danse des Amis, Bramwell Tovey has composed a jazzy, humorous variation. Inspiration came from Tippett's love of jazz and, more personally, from the characteristically syncopated gait of the distinguished music critic John Amis, who Tovey once observed leaving a performance of Tippett's opera King Priam before the end. Incidentally, that performance was conducted by Elgar Howarth.We hear Edward Gregson in lyrical mode. His Midsummer Song is redolent of the sound world of Tippett's opera A Midsummer Marriage and it ends with a brief reference to a favourite of Gregson's, Tippett's Concerto for Orchestra. Michael Ball provides a brief moment of light, airy activity bringing to mind perhaps Tippett's love of Shakespearian fantasy, especially The Tempest. Elgar Howarth juxtaposes a slowed down version of the processional theme with distant recollections of fanfares from King Priam. Philip Wilby has rounded the tribute off with a spectacular fugue. During its inexorable progress Wilby ingeniously introduces the two other birthday references - the three-note musical signature that Elgar Howarth includes in much of his music and the characteristic theme which begins Edward Gregson's substantial work for brass an organ The Trumpets of the Angels. An elaborated reprise of Tippett's little theme is followed by a dynamic coda.- Paul HindmarshDuration: 13.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£79.99Seal of Unity (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Deleruyelle, Thierry
Through a musical fresco, Seal of Unity tells the story of the Grtli 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.This work was commissioned by the Swiss Brass Band Association to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Swiss Brass Band Championships, in 2025.Duration: 8.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£34.95Three Carols (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Turrin, Joseph
Three Carols was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic as part of their Holiday Brass series and was premiered at Avery Fisher Hall by the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass and Canadian Brass. Originally for 10 players, soon after the premiere I decided to score the piece for brass band. The brass band version was first performed by the New York Staff Band.Through the years I have been intrigued by carious carols from different countries and the challenge of creating musical treatments that sound fresh and original. When commissioned to write these brass arrangements, I wanted to create contrasting movements that could be performed either as a set or individually and thought that three carols from different countries would allow the opportunity for that contrast. The featured carols are the traditional Polish carol Infant Holy, What child is this? with lyrics by William Dix and set to the English folk song Greensleeves and the lesser-known Catalonian carol Cold December flies away.- Joseph Turrin
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£67.50Columbus (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Deleruyelle, Thierry
Columbus is a brilliant and dynamic overture for brass band, with a soft and melodious central passage. In addition to the many American towns that hold the name, Columbus is a European space laboratory that is part of the International Space Station. Launched in 2008 by the American space shuttle Atlantis, it makes it possible to carry out continuous scientific experiments in fundamental physics, life sciences, fluid physics, etc. Several hundred experiments take place within Columbus every year. Commissioned by the Brass Band Bourgueillois, this piece celebrates the 10th anniversary of the launch of the band at the instigation of its conductor, Michal Auclert. The ensemble brings together musicians from the various wind bands of the Bourgueillois region and beyond. Thus, just like the space laboratory that inspired this work, the Brass Band Bourgueillois also serves as a laboratory, albeit a musical one, within a territory that is discovering this ensemble and its original repertoire.Duration: 5.15
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£64.95New Beginnings (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Schjelderup, Fredrick
New Beginnings was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and was first performed by The National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain in August 2021.It describes in sonic terms the effect that energy can create, both musically and emotionally. Here, in a burst of vibrant rhythmic patterning, and dedicated to the young players of this famous brass band, New Beginnings is born.There are three sections:From the start, it is driven by the percussion section, who push the energy through a sequence of mysterious and joyous moments.After a sonorous climax, the music subsides to a slower, romantic middle section where the earlier rhythmic energy is transformed into melodic playing from the brass.As the Finale begins, earlier themes are combined, first with a fugato which passes the melodies around the band and then unites in a recapitulation that brings the whole composition to a rousing finish as the romantic hymn makes a final appearance.Duration: 10.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£125.00The World Rejoicing (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Gregson, Edward
The World Rejoicing was commissioned by the National Brass Band Associations of Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the British Open, as the test piece for their competitions in 2020/21. Although the work was completed in 2019, the pandemic of 2020 meant that these competitions were postponed until 2021/22. The premiere took place in September 2021 at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK.In 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 harmonisation 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, which is around 16 minutes in length, 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.Duration: 16.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£124.95Dynasty (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Graham, Peter
Dynasty takes the form of a Symphonic Poem, a musical form first introduced to a contest audience at the Crystal Palace in 1913 by Percy Fletcher in his work Labour and Love.Using key passages from the autobiography of Harry Mortimer, On Brass, as the source for the narrative, the work opens with a four-note leitmotif (Harry's theme, "as if descending from the heavens"), and the timeline unfolds as follows:Harry - One's destiny decided at birth "I'll make him the best cornet player in England"War - Why do the nations so furiously rage together? Fred volunteers for military serviceTheatre - And suddenly "I dashed to the rescue like a hero in the silent movies I was about to get to know so well"Journey - Comfort Ye A new life and new challengesTogether - Come unto me "A golden age"Farewell - For behold, darkness "Fred's death surely marked the passing of an era"Amen - The Trumpet shall soundListeners familiar with brass band repertoire will recognise a few pertinent quotes within the piece.In my imagination Harry is joined by Fred on cornet and the euphoniums of Alex and Rex for the quartet cadenza from Sovereign Heritage by Jack Beaver in Together.The Amen section from Handel's Messiah provides the basis for a contrapuntal flight of fancy as the work moves towards a conclusion. Other less overt fragments contribute to the story.Dynasty was co-commissioned by the British Open Brass Band Championships for the September 2019 contest, and the Brass Band Committee VLAMO for the Belgian Brass Band Championships 2019.- Peter GrahamDuration: 17.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.95Heroes of the North (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Graham, Peter
Heroes of the North was commissioned by Henning Annundsen for Skodvin Skulemusikk and pays tribute to the development of brass band activity in the Nordhordland region of Norway.The music is a set of character variations based upon personalities long associated with both the band and the region. The opening 5 note motif (C D E F G) might be considered the starting point for beginner brass students, and this mini-theme is developed throughout the work.Five variations follow: Mr Brevik's Galop (representing Tom Brevik, a key figure in Norwegian brass band music); Frode's Dance (with apologies to Edvard Grieg), portraying soprano cornet player Frode Rydland, one of Skodvin Skulemusikk's most famous "old boys"; Mr Bjrge's Walk representing Viggo Bjrge, "Mr Eikanger Bjrsvik Band"; Hymn for Knut-Harald, known as "Mr Skodvin Skulemusikk" having over many years played a central role in the teaching and training of the band, and finally Maestro Snell's Russian Adventure features music with more than a hint of Russian (Khachaturian to be precise) and calls to mind Howard Snell whose arrangements and presence have made such a huge contribution to Norwegian Brass Banding over many years.Heroes of the North is playable by 4th section bands.Duration: 10.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£40.00Ivory Ghosts (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Higgins, Gavin
Gavin Higgins wrote Ivory Ghosts in 2006 for brass ensemble as one of a collection of short pieces composed in support of the charity Brass Band Aid. It is a haunting miniature created in response to the horrors of the illegal trade in African elephant ivory. This definitive version for brass band and percussion was prepared for the Tredegar Town Band.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£73.00Bass Trombone Concerto (Bass Trombone Solo with Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Wood, Gareth
Written in 2006 for Roger Argente, Gareth Wood brings his considerable experience of writing for brass, and brass bands in particular, to an instrument not often blessed with opportunities for solo exposure. It is scored for soloist accompanied by traditional brass band line-up, including timpani and two percussion, and follows the standard three-movement pattern. In the first movement, the soloist launches straight into the musical argument with a low-lying repeated quaver figure punctuated by the band. A lyrical second subject in the high register is also entrusted to the soloist, and the movement comes to a thrilling conclusion. The slow movement opens softly with the percussion, and a mournful bass line sets the mood for a thoughtful long melody. It reaches a powerful climax, which subsides to a return of the opening mood. In the march-like finale, the soloist is pitted against a number of solo instruments from the band and a driving ostinato carries the momentum through to the blazing ending. Duration: 13.00. Suitable for 1st Section Bands and above.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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