Results
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£68.99The Green Hills of Tyrol - Philip Sparke
The Green Hills of Tyrol was commissioned by Jrena and Beat Knusel for their son, Swiss euphonium player Joel Knusel, to celebrate his 20th birthday in 2019. The request was for a piece suitable for use in a solo competition, possibly using a Scottish or Irish melody, and composer Philip Sparke suggested an 'old-fashioned' air varie might be a suitable idea. The piece follows the well-established formula of a theme followed by four variations. The history of the original melody is fascinating and, although it is now well-known as a bagpipe tune, its background is Austrian or Italian, rather than Scottish. The tune appears as a chorus of Swiss soldiers in Rossini's 1829 opera William Tell but was possibly an existing Tyrolean folk tune. In 1854, during the Crimean War, Pipe Major John MacLeod of the 93rd Highlanders heard a band of the Sardinian contingent playing selections from the opera in camp before the Siege of Sebastopol. He was struck by the melody and arranged it for his pipers, calling it The Green Hills of Tyrol, referring to Tell's visit to that corner of Austria in the opera. It has since become universally popular among pipe bands who usually refer to it as A Scottish Soldier, following the addition of new lyrics in a 1961 hit by Andy Stewart.
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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£183.99Perihelion: Closer to the Sun (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
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 and basses. 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.Duration: 19:15
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£53.50Till We Meet Again - Philip Sparke
Till We Meet Again was commissioned by Floraskulen Brassband, Floro, Norway, as a tribute to their former tuba player, Gunstein Stromsnes, who died tragically young in a traffic accident in 2017. They gave the premiere in December 2018. After a short introduction, a solo euphonium intones a modal, folk-like melody. This is taken up by the flugel horn and leads to a series of short solos which build to a majestic chorale for the full band. The mood subsides to reintroduce the modal melody before hints of the introduction and a short euphonium cadenza bring the work peacefully to a close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£53.50Till We Meet Again (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Till We Meet Again was commissioned by Floraskulen Brassband, Floro, Norway, as a tribute to their former tuba player, Gunstein Stromsnes, who died tragically young in a traffic accident in 2017. They gave the premiere in December 2018. After a short introduction, a solo euphonium intones a modal, folk-like melody. This is taken up by the flugel horn and leads to a series of short solos which build to a majestic chorale for the full band. The mood subsides to reintroduce the modal melody before hints of the introduction and a short euphonium cadenza bring the work peacefully to a close.Duration: 4.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£57.50Marcho Brioso (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Marcho Brioso was commissioned by The Brioso Brass, a British-style brass band from Hokkaido, Japan. They gave the first performance in January 2012.The commission was for a bright and breezy march that the band could use as their theme tune, so Marcho Brioso falls into the composer's series of Broadway-style marches, which includes Slipstream, The Bandwagon and Jubiloso. After a short introduction a solo cornet plays the main theme, accompanied by a euphonium counter-melody. A secondary phrase from the horns and baritones leads to a tutti version of the main theme which is followed by the traditional 'bass' strain. A change of key heralds the trio section, which features a cantabile melody on euphonium; this is then taken up by the full band after a short bridge passage and further change of key. This takes us back to the home key which sees a quiet staccato version of the main theme lead to a recapitulation and a short coda which brings the march to a close.Duration: 3:45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£159.99Omaggio - Philip Sparke
Omaggio was commissioned by Steven Mead in celebration of his 60th birthday and in memory of his father, Rex. He gave the premiere of the brass band version in Rome in March 2022, accompanied by the Italian Brass Band conducted by Filippo Cangiamilla. The concert band premiere took place on 6th July that year as part of the 2022 Spanish International Tuba Euphonium Conference, accompanied by the Banda municipal de musica de Malaga. The concerto is set in 3 continuous movements, which are united by a recurring syncopated interval of a fifth. The first movement, FANTASIA, opens with this motive accompanying an extended monologue for the soloist. This is followed by a lengthy bridge passage by the band (piano), which is eventually joined by the soloist, who guides the music back to the opening soliloquy, leading to an energetic central section. This develops until the opening material again returns to introduce the second movement, BALLAD, which revolves around an expressive melody for the soloist, interspersed by accompanied cadenzas. The third movement, THE KING TRIUMPHANT, pays homage to Steven's late father, Rex, and its title alludes both to Rex's name ('Rex' being Latin for 'king') as well as his love of Eric Ball's Salvationist masterpiece, The Kingdom Triumphant. The finale is an energetic tour-de-force featuring an acrobatic 6/8 melody, which is interrupted twice by the magnificent hymn tune, Helmsley, which Ball uses so effectively in The Kingdom Triumphant. A galloping coda brings the work to a close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£57.50A Final Fling - Philip Sparke
A Final Fling was written at the request of David Childs for a CD recording with a Celtic theme, which he released in 2007. The phrase 'a final fling' means a last quick effort at doing something, perhaps when this item is used as an encore, and also, a fling is a type of Scottish Highland dance, which tied in with the Celtic theme. A light- hearted piece, A Final Fling starts in the mood of a folk dance and quotes from The Irish Washerwoman before flying to a close. A perfect way to put your euphonium player in the spotlight.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£99.99Sparkling Brass (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Sparkling Brass was commissioned by Osaka Concert Brass, one of Japan's top brass bands, and premiered by them on 27th December 2018 during a concert which celebrated their 10th Anniversary. The work opens in lively mood with fanfare-style figures from the lower band which are answered by the cornets. This interplay intensifies until the mood calms suddenly to introduce a chorale which leads to a duet-cadenza for cornet and euphonium. The rhythmic mood of the opening soon returns and leads to the main theme of the work, a modal caccia which features various section of the band. A short bridge passage leads to a change of key and a new cantabile theme which is introduced by euphoniums and baritone. This is taken up by the full band after another change of key and leads back to the caccia theme. A transformed version of the opening fanfare returns to close the work.Duration: 5.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£76.99A Midwest Fanfare (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
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.Duration: 4.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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