Results
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£56.90Windsor Great Park - P. Yorke
The sparkling overture of this piece is no doubt 'great' and it is followed by a terrific melodic line with several beautiful romantic highlights. By means of a slowing down we get a more moderate tempo (tempo II) which enables a kind of concert march theme to develop. This is Peter York at best. Steve Sykes was most happy to recover this composition which was considered as being untraceable for many years.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£116.40Decennium - Eric Swiggers
'Decennium' was composed in 2003 as a commission by the municipality of Berheze for its tenth anniversary. The composition describes the history of this town in the Province of Brabant, consisting of 6 different villages: Heesch, Heeswijk, Dinther, Nistelrode, Loosbroek and Vorstenbosch. The composition starts with a slow introduction, Adagio Misterioso, suggesting the atmosphere in long-ago days when the area consisted mainly of swamps, meres and low woods. (The word 'Bern' is a synonym of 'Born' meaning source or water, whereas 'Hese' is derived from 'Haisjo' meaning brushwood ). Above the dark sounds we hear far away trumpet signals announcing the Middle Ages. After a piercing crescendo, we hear the full sound of festive trumpets. A medieval dance, as was to be heard in the Heeswijk castle, follows. This dance gets a more and more stirring character and finally turns into a merry popular dance ending with a burst of laughter reproduced by descending scales with the muted trombones and trumpets. A slow transition with a quotation from a Gregorian plainsong (Domine Deus) and church bell ringing, referring to the Abbey of Berne, brings us to a romantic Larghetto. This part describes the quiet rural life in a beautiful natural surrounding. The last dying note contrasts with the threatening ostinato, referring to the rise of the industrialization, which provoked quite some resistance with the local people. Once more we hear the 'Domine Deus' but much more powerful this time. When the resistance calms down, the work concludes with an Alla Marcia. The first notes of the main theme could be heard all through the composition and now we hear the complete main theme again. The new town is born. A festive conclusion refers both to the tenth anniversary and the optimism and confidence as to the future.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£84.50The Heroes Rise Again - Andrew Pearce
As the title suggests, the piece is heroic and olympic in feel. One might imagine an Olympic Games opening ceremony where the athletes assemble to compete on the world stage. The Heroes Rise Again is an exciting and memorable piece that your band will love performing and is sure to give a tingle down the spine, leaving your audience wishing for more as they whistle the tune out the door!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£47.80Movin' Up! - Dean Jones
The beat just rolls on! Movin' Up! is very much a sequel to Dean Jones' previous work Hangin' On! There are the usual sounds you'd expect from a swing band piece: vibrant sounding from the trumpets and trombones and then a layered harmonious texture from the horns and baritones. There's also scope for some top class solo work too around the band. There is one twist at the end... the pace is slowed down, the 'top button and bow tie loosened', but the scene is set and concluded with exciting brass sounds.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£19.95Bandkraft 2
The second of three superb sets of new music and arrangements for brass ensemble.Jazz Intermezzo - Peter Sievewright: Very close harmonies produce thick luscious tone colours, beneath an intriguing jazz theme.Bossa Nova - John Golland: A memorable tune, enjoyable and relaxed as a Bossa Nova should be, with much fun to be had in mastering the Bossa Nova rhythm.Ballade - Grieg, Arr. Ifor James: A simple enough melody, but a marvellous test for the phrasing and intonation of the horn section of the band.Bollin Hill Suite (Hoe Down, Passacaglia and March) - Phillip Malbon: A classic suite for brass band, concise yet complete.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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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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£94.99
The Devil's Bridge - Bertrand Moren
The "Teufelsbrucke" (devil's bridge) is a very old bridge connecting the Goschenen and Andermatt valleys in the canton of Uri, central Switzerland. Legend has it that in the 13th century the people of Uri made a pact with the devil to build a bridge across the canyon. When the people only delivered a goat in payment of the soul demanded by the devil he was angry and decided to knock down the bridge. An old woman painted the sign of a cross on the rock the devil was intending to destroy the bridge with and the devil, unable to lift it, disappeared forever. The rock remains to this day at the northern entry of the Gotthard tunnel.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£72.99Valley of the Pinios - Kevin Houben
Lying on high, calcareous sandstone rocks are the monumental monasteries of Meteora, a region in northcentral Greece which look down over the valley of the Pinios River. This region inspired Kevin Houben to compose Valley of the Pinios. You can almost hear the wind swirl around the chalk rocks. The sacred atmosphere of the monasteries, the prayers, the solitude, the grandness of the valley and the splendour of nature are all reflected in this inspirational composition.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£79.99Summon the Heroes - John Williams
John Williams has written ceremonial music for many major events and ceremonies but of all these occasional pieces Summon the Heroes is the most elaborate and musically complex. It was composed for the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 and performed at the opening ceremony. As with all of John Williams' ceremonial compositions this work makes an ideal Brass Band work that will bring the house down as a concert opener.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£11.95The Brass Band Player's Manual - Ian Lowes
This is the 'Haynes manual' of technique for the brass player. It breaks down all areas of preparation and performance into easy to understand sections and provides valuable exercises to improve all aspects of playing. Completewith a quick reference 'fault diagnosis chart'.IntroductionThis tutor is intended as a self-help tutor for all band players. It is laid out in the manner of a DIY car manual where technical explanationsare combined with fault diagnosis and suggestions for corrective solutions. Explanations range in depth to suit playing standards from beginner to championship level.64 pages.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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