Results
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£60.99
Laudatio - Bertrand Moren
This piece was commissioned by a brass band from the Jura in Switzerland to thank its resigning conductor for his loyalty and work. The first and last sections of this composition develop a joyful and highly energetic theme which expresses the complete commitment required of a conductor in order to get the best out of the musicians. The central passage mirrors an atmosphere full of nostalgia. After so many years of intense and relentless work, it is always difficult for a keen conductor to retire.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£59.99Salute to a Hero - Philip Sparke
It is a tradition at Marlow High School, Oklahoma, that the band members' parents host a Band Banquet every May, at which the senior members of the band present a gift to the band director as a token of gratitude for his year's work. In 2009, clarinet player Brenna Hensley had the idea to commission a new piece from composer Philip Sparke to present to band director Billy Daniel, which would be played at the Spring Concert later that month. Salute to a Hero was the result.The piece opens with a decorated fanfare played on cornets and trombones and, after a short bridge passage, this reappears, played by the full band. A central lyrical section brings a mood of calm, utilisingdifferent brass colours, before the fanfare returns to close the work.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£164.99Diamond Concerto - Philip Sparke
Diamond Concerto was commissioned by Musikverein Morschied from Germany - Dr. Eric Grandjean, conductor - for a special concert featuring Steven Mead as guest soloist. Together they gave the world premiere on 28th April 2012 in the town theatre of Idar-Oberstein.The commission is a highlight in the 30-year friendship between composer and soloist, which has included many mutual CD projects and concerts and, now, a concerto. Sparke had Steven Mead's special euphonium sound in his head throughout the composition process and made free use of the variety of styles which the world-renowned virtuoso has made his own during his highly successful solo career.The village ofMorschied lies to the west of Frankfurt am Main in the area known as the German Road of Precious Stones, which is famous for its thriving gem industry. Because of this it was decided to give the commission a local connection by choosing the title, Diamond Concerto. Each of the three movements is named after a famous diamond:1 EARTH STARis rather stern in mood, opening with a free fantasy for the soloist over a static chord from the band. This leads to an Allegro Moderato in minor mode where small motives are gradually repeated and developed by both band and soloist.2 OCEAN DREAMuses a varied quote from the composer's Music for Battle Creek, including a melting slow melody that was originally written with Steven Mead in mind.3 BLUE HEARTwas written, at Steven Mead's suggestion, in bebop style and takes the form of a jazz waltz. The quasi-improvisatory central section features a call-and-response passage for the soloist and upper woodwinds.Soloist: Difficulty 6Diamond Concerto is available for euphonium and piano (AMP 374-401) as well as for euphonium and concert band (AMP 354-010).
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£79.99Fanfare and Celebration - Philip Sparke
Fanfare and Celebration was commissioned by the Brass Band of the Western Reserve (Dr Keith M. Wilkinson, director) to celebrate their 15th anniversary.Based in north-west Ohio, the band was formed in 1997 and was competing in the Championship Section of the North American Brass Band Championships in less than three years. The first performance of Fanfare and Celebration took place in Akron, Ohio, on November 10th 2012.The opening Fanfare features the cornet section, in two groups standing either side of the band.A central horn theme brings a change of mood before the cornets take the lead oncemore. Celebration follows seamlessly and continues the declamatory style until a cantando theme in uneven meter is introduced. A transformed recapitulation ushers in a return of the Fanfare to close the work.
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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£59.99Winter Wonderland - Dick Smith - Philip Sparke
This enduringly popular seasonal song has long been a Christmas favourite, even though the lyrics don't mention 'Christmas' at all. The words were by Dick Smith (1901-1935) and the music by Felix Bernard (1897-1944). The inspiration was reportedly a visit by Smith to Honesdale's (his hometown) Central Park when it was covered in snow.The first recording was made by Richard Himber's Ritz-Carlton Orchestra in 1934. The same year Guy Lombardo and his band, The Royal Canadians, took the song to number 2 in the US Billboard Chart, where it stayed for 9 weeks. It has since been recorded by over 150 artists, the most successful versionsbeing by Perry Como and the Andrews Sisters, both released in 1946.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£79.99A Midwest Fanfare - Philip Sparke
A Midwest Fanfare was commissioned by the Brass Band of Battle Creek and premiered by them during their appearance at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago on 20th December 2017 where this fanfare was the opening piece of the entire event. This piece is designed to be played with the cornets split into two teams either side of the band. It opens with the two groups answering each other antiphonally over a repeated figure in the lower band. A calmer central section introduces a euphonium solo which is then taken up by the whole ensemble. This leads back to a repeat of the opening fanfares over a rhythmic accompaniment and a short coda which brings the work to a close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£106.99Evolution - Philip Sparke
Evolution was commissioned by Kunstfactor for the 4th section of the Dutch National Brass Band Championships (NBK) 2011. It is dedicated to Jappie Dijkstra and the Music Information Centre (MUI), Arnhem, Holland, in acknowledgement of their outstanding work in developing brass band repertoire. The composer writes:-The idea for the piece came when I was reading an article about a branch of Chinese philosophy which is abbreviated as Wu Xing, which has no exact translation but can mean, for example, five elements, five phases or five states of change. It is central to all elements of Chinese thought, including science, philosophy, medicine and astrology, and in simpleterms tries to create various cyclic relationships between five elements in all walks of life. An example is: Earth - Metal - Water - Wood - Fire - (Earth) etc. where (in one cycle) earth bears metal, metal changes to liquid (water) when heated, water helps trees grow, wood burns to create fire, fire produces ash (earth) and the cycle continues.I was particularly interested in the cycle of emotions: Meditation - Sorrow - Fear - Anger - Joy - (Meditation) etc. and thought this cyclic principle would provide an effective emotional journey for a piece of music. So Evolution has five equal sections which loosely characterise this emotional cycle. I have tried to make the music grow organically, with minimal repetition, and each movement evolves from the musical elements at the end of the previous one, with the opening material appearing, transformed, at the end of the piece to complete the cycle.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£79.99Sambezi - Philip Sparke
Sambezi is the brass band version of the last movement of Philip Sparke's Trombone Concerto. It starts in a joyful and outgoing mood with the soloist playing a carefree samba tune. A jazz-in uenced central tune explores the higher ranges of the trombone before the samba rhythms set up a 'contest' between the soloist and the band's trombone section. The soloist is the eventual 'winner' and he celebrates by reintroducing the samba melody before bringing the work to a virtuosic close. A real treat for your trombone soloist.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£87.99With Clouds Descending - Philip Sparke
With Clouds Descending is a fantasy on the powerful Advent hymn Helmsley which is long associated with another Advent hymn - Wesley's Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending. The hymn tune is divided into an introduction and three complete verses of Helmsley, which surround a slower central section, whose melody is derived from the last line of the hymn tune. Philip Sparke's grade 4 arrangement of this majestic piece for Brass Band is equally suitable as a concert opener or a main concert piece.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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