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£80.00St. Magnus - Kenneth Downie
Dedicated to Alastair Massey, an inspirational music teacher. Commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association for the 2004 European Brass Band Championships in Glasgow. This music is a set of variations on the tune known as St Magnus, which is attributed to Jeremiah Clarke. Most people will associate it with Thomas Kelly's hymn which begins: "The Head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now". The tune is very simple, consisting of just two, four-bar phrases. Neither is there much in the way of rhythmic variety, every note being a crotchet with the exception of two quavers, and the last note in each phrase. Within such a simple structure, however, lies considerable strength. THEME The listener is given the opportunity of hearing it twice, in full, at the beginning, starting with one player but soon taken up by the full ensemble. It returns in the middle of the music and is stated again near the end. This has been done quite deliberately in the hope that there will be an appreciation of what material is being developed, by the listener as well as by those with access to the score, who are able to see the visual connections. VARIATION 1 This takes the rhythm of the last part of the theme and also uses the shape of the opening as a recurring figure. The mood is whimsical and skittish, with short, teasing rhythmic figures tossed around the band, and quick interplay with percussion, at a fast tempo. An energetic flourish finishes this variation before the Andante espress. VARIATION 2 This commences with chords related to the opening of Variation 1. The cantabile on solo comets establishes a new, lyrical mood and there is scope for expressive playing in a series of short solo passages. The theme works its way unobtrusively into the texture before a reprise of the solo cornet melody and some more lyrical interchanges between Eb bass, euphonium, flugel horn and comets. The variation ends serenely with clear references to the last phrase of the theme. VARIATION 3 The first idea to dominate is clearly linked to the shape of the theme's first phrase. There is a frenetic feel to much of this variation, with considerable energy and instability created by extensive use of cross-rhythms. A thinning-out of the score marks a clear change to development of the start of the second phrase of the theme. This proves to be short-lived however, and the opening material returns leading to a restatement of the theme, "Maestoso," after which a euphonium cadenza links to Variation 4. VARIATION 4 Here we have some solos for euphonium, cornet, trombone and Eb bass set against a background of horns and baritones presenting a pensive statement of the theme's opening. VARIATION 5 This commences Allegro, with lively work for cornet and euphonium spreading to the whole band before attention focuses on the beginning of the second phrase of the theme which is initially presented in diminution, then in regular rhythm, then in inversion. An increase in tempo coupled with a decrease in volume, requires dexterity and control, with several metrical challenges thrown in for good measure. The same fragment of phrase becomes an ostinato which generates a frenzied climax, punctuated by short, dramatic silence, before the opening figure returns and the music gradually winds down. The tubular bells herald the final return of the theme, in augmentation, marking the start of the Finale. FINALE This features the running semiquavers of the previous variation sounding in counterpoint. A fast, furious coda speeds the work to a conclusion while references to the opening of the theme are still trying to break into the texture of the music. Kenneth Downie
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£271.60Aubade - Dawn Songs of the Fabulous Birds - Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
Commissioned by The Norwegian Band Federation for The European Brass Band Championship 2003, in Bergen, Norway (Third edition) I remember as a kid the very early morning wake-up ceremonies caused by Seagulls having a "party" outside our home. Very few would describe it as beautiful, particularly not at 4:30 in the morning... But by listening carefully to birds I was fascinated by their diversity and musical language: they dont sing tunes or long phrases, they rather make sounds and signals, based on short motives. Aubade is based on musical pictures of the imaginary birds: the creatures with wings that exists only in myths and legends. The whole story starts with aBaritone-cadenza that evoke all the sleeping creatures. Very soon they all start to sing their songs in one way or another. The composition has a burlesque scherzo-character including slow espressive intersections. Traditional elements like melody and harmony is combined with extensive sounds and textural effects created by use of multiple muting, singing and playing at the same time. I am not too concerned about having a program for the piece. I just know that by thinking of the unheard dragon-songs, griffin-songs, the sound of the dodo, my creativity was stimultated. As a piece of music, Aubade follows its own rules based on well-known elements like melodies, arpeggio-figures, harmonies, rhythms, variations and recapitulation of ideas. - Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£69.99The Godfather Waltz - Nino Rota - Philip Sparke
Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 film The Godfather is seen by many to be a turning point in cinematic history. The sparse score, written by Nino Rota, is famous for its haunting main theme, played by a solo trumpet, from which The Godfather Waltz is derived. Philip Sparke has created a stunning arrangement of this theme, which appears in all three parts of the trilogy.
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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£76.99The Green Hill - Bert Appermont
This piece was commissioned by Swiss Euphonium virtuoso Erich Schmidli. Bert Appermont dug deep into Celtic music for inspiration and created a fantasy that shows off the incredible, but often overlooked, versatility of the Euphonium. Charming lyrical melodies, virtuosic runs and exciting, colourful tuttis create plenty of contrast in this exciting work. The difficulty level for the soloist and band means almost any band to perform this piece and showcase their Euphonium player.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£119.99Colors - Bert Appermont
This work was written especially for the Belgian trombonist Ben Haemhouts and was created on Dec. 29, 1998 in Ravels. Colors for trombone is a virtuous composition based on four colors, 'Yellow', 'Red', 'Blue' and 'Green'. Each Color characterizes a typical musical quality. This masterpiece of Bert Appermont is undoubtedly a superb addition to the trombone repertoire!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£59.99
Laura - David Raskin - Mark Freeh
David Raksin was active in the music business for so many decades that he was thought by many to be the Grandfather of film music. Raksin created notable scores for films such as Forever Amber and The Bad and the Beautiful, though he is best known for the soundtrack to Laura, where the lead character is always represented by the same theme, an "idee fixe". This haunting melody gets under your skin and stays there. It is totally suited to the plot where the investigating detective is haunted by the subject of his investigations. Here is a chance to feature your flugel soloist in this jazz ballad which has been given the 'Freeh treatment'.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£59.99
Carnival of Venice - Harry James - Mark Freeh
The jazz cornet legend Harry James was synonymous with taking classical works and crafting versions in his own inimitable style. Carnival of Venice was one of his most famous features and here you have a true-to-the-original arrangement to feature your cornet soloist created by one of the greatest arrangers of jazz for Brass Band, Mark Freeh.A Brass Band classic given the jazz treatment, Carnival of Venice will astound and amaze your audiences every time. Not to be missed.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£60.99Cornfield Rock - Jacob de Haan
Originally Cornfield Rock was written by Jacob de Haan as a version for male choir. It was based on a text by William Shakespeare on a melody of Thomas Morley (It was a lover and his lass). The original melody however was abandoned completely and in its place Jacob de Haan created a new one in rock style. The title refers to the text: That o're the green corne fields did passe.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£60.99Der Mond ist aufgegangen - Traditional - Jacob de Haan
The lyrics to Der Mond ist aufgegangen (The Moon Is Risen) come from Matthias Claudius, one of Germany's best-known poets. The 1779 poem with the original title Abendlied (Evening song) was set to music by Johann Abraham Peter Schulz and has become perhaps the most famous Abendlied in the German-speaking world. Johann de Haan has created a delightful arrangement of this poignant melody. The wind orchestra can optionally be accompanied by a choir (Dutch and German texts are provided).
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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