Results
-
£55.00Purcell Variations (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
Purcell Variations, composed in 1995, the year of the tercentenary of the death of the great English composer, was a watershed work in that it was Downie's first extended composition to be published independently of The Salvation Army and intended for wider use.For his theme, Downie has chosen what has come down to us as the hymn tune Westminster Abbey, which is in fact an adaptation made in 1842 by Ernest Hawkins, who was a Canon of Westminster Abbey where Purcell himself had been organist. Purcell's original is actually the closing section of an anthem, O God, Thou art my God, where it provides the final paean of praise, sung to repeated 'Hallelujahs'. Purcell's tune, particularly the opening triadic gesture, is used as a source of thematic and harmonic material - a quarry for ideas if you like: "I was obsessed with the intervals of thirds in Purcell's tune, rather like Brahms in his Third Symphony", the composer says.There are five variations, preceded by an extended introduction and theme. In the first variation, Purcell's lilting dance pulse has been transformed into a bright, playful sequence, in which each phrase of the melody is given its own transformation. In the second, Purcell's opening gambit is extended into a graceful, flowing waltz, featuring solo and first horn at the top of the register. The composer offers a range of metronome speeds in this movement, in which he is emulating the wistful elegance of Erik Satie's famous Gymnopedie. We enter the world of big band jazz in variation three, where Purcell's tune strides along with added syncopation and bluesy major/minor thirds to the fore. After the breathless energy and blazing brass of the big band, Downie moves into his 'home territory' for a beautifully worked lyrical variation. There is an enhanced urgency about the final variation, which opens with an extended reprise of the work's introduction. Purcell's second and third phrases provide the preparation for the exuberant return, in customary triumph of Purcell's 'Hallelujah'.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£22.50Edward Gregson: Concertante for Piano and Brass Band
DescriptionProgramme NoteThe Concertante for Piano and Brass Band was written in 1966, when the composer was an undergraduate student at the Royal Academy of Music in London. It received its first public concert performance in 1967 at the Royal Festival Hall, London, when the composer was the soloist with the International Band of the Salvation Army, conducted by Bernard Adams. It was one of the first major works to be written for this particular combination.The Concertante is unashamedly romantic in idiom and is in three movements: Prelude, Nocturne and Rondo. The Prelude is cast in sonata form and opens with a short cadenza-like flourish from the soloist, followed by two main ideas - the first sweepingly dramatic, the second highly lyrical. The interplay between these two themes forms the main focus of the movement, and after a return to the opening theme, an exuberant codetta brings the music to a close, albeit a quiet one. https://morthanveld.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Gregson-Concertante-1st-movt-clip.mp3The tender Nocturne opens with an introduction from the band that contains precursors of the two main ideas to follow. The solo piano announces the main theme, which has a slightly 'bluesy' character with its flattened third and seventh notes of the scale, and is a love song dedicated to the composer's wife-to-be. The band enters with phrases of a chorale already hinted at in the introduction - Ray Steadman-Allen's hymn tune 'Esher' - but never quite presented in its complete state. Both ideas are developed alongside each other, with eventually the first theme returning, this time with piano and band together, and building to a majestic climax, before subsiding to a peaceful coda - a return to the very opening of the movement. https://morthanveld.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Gregson-Concertante-movt-2-clip.mp3The final Rondo is full of energetic rhythms and changing time patterns. The main theme is playful in character, with much interplay between soloist and band, whilst the middle section presents a new theme, and one that has more than a hint of the hymn tune 'Onward Christian Soldiers', in what amounts to a good humoured parody. The opening Rondo theme returns, this time leading to a powerful and dissonant climax from the band. This is followed by an extended piano cadenza, underlying the virtuoso aspect of the work, and leading to an energetic and life-affirming coda, which brings the work to a triumphant conclusion. https://morthanveld.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Gregson-Concertante-movt-3-clip.mp3Duration: 18 minutesInstrumentation:Please note that there is no 1st/Repiano Cornet part in this work. The 1st/Repiano Cornet player should join the Solo Cornet bench. As such an extra Solo Cornet part is provided in the set of parts.Version for two pianosA version of the Concertante for two pianos is available for rehearsal purposes. Piano 1 is the solo part and Piano 2 the band reduction. However, for those pianists not needing to rehearse the work in this way, a solo piano part is also provided with the main set of band parts.To view a preview of the solo part for the first movement click here.The youthful Gregson (his work was written as a third year undergraduate) was seemingly a bit of a musical magpie - but one heck of a skilful one at that.These were shiny baubles of poise, panache and pastiche, with affectionate, remarkably mature nods of appreciation towards Gershwin, Rachmaninov, Ireland and even Elmer as well as Leonard Bernstein.The rich colour palette and flowing lines (with the tenderest of central Nocturnes) were a joy - as were the little buds of motifs that dotted the score like seeds ready to be planted on a future fertile brass band compositional field. - Iwan Fox, 4Barsrest.com, June 2019For more information on Edward Gregson's music please visit the composer's website: www.edwardgregson.com
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£35.00A Suffolk Prelude - Andrew Duncan
Written for the Ipswich & Norwich Co-Op Band, A Suffolk Prelude is based around five traditional tunes from Suffolk:'Nutting Time','Blackberry Fold','Cupid's Garden','A Seaman's Life''The Bold Richard'The piece begins on the percussion and timpani alone leading through a crescendo into the first statement of the fanfare which is derived from a motif from the tune 'Nutting Time'. This leads into a playing of the 'Nutting Time' tune which is then developed as the tune is passed around the band.'Nutting Time' is a jolly lighthearted tune about a 'fair maid' who meets a handsome young farmer called 'Johnny' when out gathering nuts in the wood. After a pause on the tubular bells the slow tune 'Blackberry Fold' is presented as a solo for Flugel Horn, then as a full band version.'Blackberry Fold' is a touching song about a Suffolk squire who gets married well below his station to a beautiful milkmaid, simply because he loves her! They live happily ever after.The next tune to be heard is the juanty 'Cupid's Garden' played firstly as a solo on the Euphonium, and again this is about the subject of love. This song is sung from a sailors prospective and he tells how he met a lovely maiden and has promised to marry her when he returns from duty at sea.The trombones then play the noble tune 'A Seaman's Life'. This tune seems to serve as a warning to young girls about the fickle nature and the total unsuitability of marrying a sailor! 'Oh a seaman's life is a merry merry life, they'll rob young girls of their heart's delight, they will leave them behind for to sail one morn, but they never know when they'll return'. Despite this it is a fine tune!The last tune featured is 'The Bold Richard' which is played by all the bass instruments in the band. This is a song telling how the Royal Navy friggate 'The Bold Richard' went to battle against a French friggate destroying her and taking her crew as prisoners.Suffolk Prelude goes on to feature a slow version of the tune 'A Seaman's Life' played alongside a fast version of the tune 'Cupid's Garden'. The opening fanfare then returns leading into a final coda section.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
-
£59.95
ELLACOMBE CHRONICLES, The (Brass Band Set) - James Curnow
This piece was commissioned by Brass Band of Columbus for the occasion of the band's 25th anniversary in 2009. It is dedicated to current and former members of the band and its founding Director, Dr Paul Droste. The hymns of Isaac Watts (1674 - 1748) have been a source of inspiration for musical thought and development by composers for over 200 years. His glorious hymn 'I sing the mighty power of God' has been coupled with the hymn tune 'Ellacombe' in many hymnals over these two centuries. This work was created and inspired by Isaac Watts's text and chronicles the three verses of the hymn through a set of diverse variations on the hymn tune 'Ellacombe'. The opening fanfare is intended to capture the joy and exuberance of the first phrase of the first verse, 'I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise'. The developmental material following the fanfare gives a hint of the three large variations that are extracted from the tune.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£89.95Partita (Score and Parts)
Partita was written in 1989 to a commission from Eikanger/Bjrsvik Musikklag (Norway) who were European Champions at the time.There are three movements.1 The first movement is almost a miniature concerto for band. It opens with a relentless quaver passage in the basses, which builds until the whole band is involved. Horns and baritones are first to take centre-stage in close harmony and the euphoniums and basses follow them. These forces combine to introduce the cornets that have a 10-part fanfare to themselves before the trombones interrupt. The opening quaver figure returns, somewhat ominously, and, after the full band recalls previous material, brings the movement to a close.2. Starts with a cornet solo over a pulsating accompaniment after which the band builds to a noble tune on the trombones. The full band takes over and brings back the opening cornet tune with which the soloist, with the aid of a euphonium counter-melody, quietly ends the movement, leading directly into:3. A sparkling vivo, which opens with the fanfare-like figures throughout the band until a solo cornet, emerges with an acrobatic tune. The whole band takes this up until horns; baritones and trombones introduce an energetic second subject, which leads to a full band climax in the form of a jubilant chorale. This died away to reintroduce the opening fanfare against a new theme from the trombones, which eventually leads back to a recapitulation. We are then thrown headlong into a 12/8 presto, which hurtles to a coda, which recalls the opening themes.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£44.95Partita (Score Only)
Partita was written in 1989 to a commission from Eikanger/Bjrsvik Musikklag (Norway) who were European Champions at the time.There are three movements.1 The first movement is almost a miniature concerto for band. It opens with a relentless quaver passage in the basses, which builds until the whole band is involved. Horns and baritones are first to take centre-stage in close harmony and the euphoniums and basses follow them. These forces combine to introduce the cornets that have a 10-part fanfare to themselves before the trombones interrupt. The opening quaver figure returns, somewhat ominously, and, after the full band recalls previous material, brings the movement to a close.2. Starts with a cornet solo over a pulsating accompaniment after which the band builds to a noble tune on the trombones. The full band takes over and brings back the opening cornet tune with which the soloist, with the aid of a euphonium counter-melody, quietly ends the movement, leading directly into:3. A sparkling vivo, which opens with the fanfare-like figures throughout the band until a solo cornet, emerges with an acrobatic tune. The whole band takes this up until horns; baritones and trombones introduce an energetic second subject, which leads to a full band climax in the form of a jubilant chorale. This died away to reintroduce the opening fanfare against a new theme from the trombones, which eventually leads back to a recapitulation. We are then thrown headlong into a 12/8 presto, which hurtles to a coda, which recalls the opening themes.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£38.95Unity Series Band Journal - Numbers 522 - 525, October 2023
522: Festival March - The Rescuers (Andrew Hedley)This exciting and bright festival march comes from a new contributor to the band journals. Andrew Hedley is a bandsman at Chester-le-Street Corps and a member of the Euphonium Section of the International Staff Band. This work contains inventive harmonic and melodic patterns and we hope this will be the first of many works from this composer to be seen in our journals.523: Moses and Pharaoh (Ralph Pearce)This piece owes its creation to the playing of the Montclair Citadel Young Peoples' Band in the Sunday School assembly every weekend. The song Pharaoh, Pharaoh is extremely popular and is sung with gusto and much movement. The presentation of this song derives for an accompaniment written for the band to play along with the singing. To widen its use, the spiritual Go down, Moses (STTL Vol.7, Part 2) was added to make the present composition. This music should have drive throughout and be played with a sense of fun.524: Lord, to thee (Alan Williams)This is a setting of the tune Hendon (T.B. 249). The piece uses the first verse of Frances Ridley Havergal's commonly associated text 'Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee' (S.A.S.B. 623), and from there it takes its title.525: Song Arrangement - This is why (Noel Jones)This music is based on the tune This is why (T.B. 353) by Elisha Albright Hoffman and this two-verse arrangement reflects the great song of testimony Would you know why I love Jesus (S.A.S.B. 912). An associated scripture reference is found in Mark 10:45 'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'. The motif 'Would you know' occurs in the opening bars and is repeated throughout the piece, along with fragments of the first verse. The chorus confirms the hoy that Christians experience knowing that Christ's sacrifice has bought forgiveness for our wrongdoings.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£77.00General Series Brass Band Journal, Numbers 2238 - 2241, December 2023
2238: Fanfare and allegro on the Doxology (Steve Kellner)The Doxology, set to the tune Old Hundredth (T.B. 31), is used widely around the world by Christian denominations, including Salvationists. This concert opener is based on the short but powerful hymn of praise to the Triune God.2239: To the endless day (Kenneth Downie)This is a meditation on the hymn tune Ruth (T.B. 191), written by Samuel Smith. It is a particular favourite of Don Jenkins, whose late wife was also called Ruth. This music is dedicated to Don, a distinguished trombone soloist and former Band master of Bristol Easton Corps Band.The music is always associated with the hymn by William Walsham How, whose words begin 'Summer suns are flowing over land and sea' (S.A.S.B. 59) with the title coming from the end of the final verse.2240: Euphonium Solo - He giveth more grace (Ray Steadman-Allen)This 1996 arrangement of Blacklands (T.B. 527), the composers own hymn tune written in 1963, is being published posthumously. The hymn tune sets the words 'He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater' (S.A.S.B. 30) with an emphasis on the generosity of God.2241: The Calvary effect (Ian Clarke)Around AC 30, on a hill often refered to as Mount Calvary, an event took place that was to change the world forever. The Calvary effect is a reflection, in musical form, on that event and what it still means to people today. If features two tunes: first, in a quiet reflective mood, we hear the highly emotive Healing Stream, associated with the words 'Jesus, keep me near the cross; There is a precious fountain' (S.A.S.B. 178). This then makes way for the chorus; 'Lord, make Cavalry real to me' (S.A.S.B. 182), which is at times indistinct and almost lost in its surroundings, reflecting the sentiments of the chorus. A return to the main tune follows, this time in a positive, passionate setting. The music finishes with a triumphant 'Hallelujah!'.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£59.95Bonnie Northumbria - Brass Band - LM786
COMPOSER: Laurie JohnstonProgramme NotesNorthumberland, or Northumbria as it is also known, is the most northern county in England and has magnificent and stunning landscapes just waiting to be explored. Filled with mystical castles, atmospheric ruins and historical sites and edged by spectacular coastal scenery, there is something wonderful to see at every turn. The Devils Causeway passes through Northumbria and reaches Berwick upon Tweed at the coast. Walkers and cyclists can also take the Coast and Castles Cycle Route or the North Sea Trail which journey through some of the most beautiful scenery along the way.The Blaydon Races is aGeordiefolk songwritten in the 19th century byGeordie Ridley, in a style deriving frommusic hall. It is regarded by many as the unofficialanthemofTynesideand is frequentlysungby supporters ofNewcastle United Football ClubandNewcastle Falconsrugby club.Blaydonis a small town inGateshead, situated about 4 miles (6.4km) fromNewcastle upon Tyne, inNorth East England. The race used to take place on the Stella Haugh 1 mile (1.6km) west of Blaydon.Stella South Power Station(demolished in 1995) was built on the site of the track in the early 1950s, after the races had stopped taking place in 1916.Water of Tyne (sometimes rendered as The Waters of Tyne) is a folk song (Roud number1364) from the north-east of England. The song is sung by a girl or woman lamenting the fact that her paramour is on the opposite bank of theRiver Tyne. Sleeve notes to Michael Hunt's recording of Tyneside songs states that "the ferry is believed to be that atHaughton Castleon theNorth Tyne". Alternatively the "rough river" in the last line may indicate a point further downstream, possiblyTynemouth.The song was collected byJohn Bellin 1810 and published two years later inRhymes of Northern Bards.The Keel Row is a traditional Tyneside folk song evoking the life and work of thekeelmenofNewcastle upon Tyne. A closely related song was first published in aScottishcollection of the 1770s, but may be considerably older, and it is unclear whether the tune is Scottish or English in origin.The opening lines of the song set it inSandgate, that part of the quayside overlooking the River Tyne to the east of the city centre where the keelmen lived and which is still overlooked by theKeelmen's Hospital.Versions of the song appear in both England and Scotland, with Scottish versions referring tothe Canongaterather than Sandgate. The earliest printing was in the 1770s inEdinburghin A Collection of Favourite Scots Tunes, edited by Charles Maclean, though the tune was also found in several late eighteenth-century English manuscript collections. As the term "keel" was used both sides of the border, it has not been determined which version was the original, althoughFrank Kidsonsurmised that like many other songs collected by Maclean it may originally have been aJacobiteair from the time of the1745 rebellion. Some versions of the song make reference to a "blue bonnet[...] with a snowy rose upon it", a clear attempt to evoke Jacobite symbolism, whether dating from 1745 or not.Kidson, however, also noted that he had found the tune of The Keel Row associated with an early dance called "The Yorkshire Lad" as early as 1748.By the 19th century the tune was well associated with the River Tyne; a few years before the 1850s the keelmen had met yearly to celebrate the founding of the Keelmen's Hospital, perambulating the town to the accompaniment of bands playing The Keel Row.Dance To Thy Daddyis a traditional Englishfolksong, originating inNorth East England. An early source for the lyrics, Joseph Robson's "Songs of the bards of the Tyne", published 1849, can be found on the Farne archive. In Farne's notes to the song, it is stated that these lyrics were written by William Watson around 1826.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
-
£29.95Soliloquy II (Euphonium Solo with Brass Band - Score and Parts)
A few years ago, I wrote a Soliloquy based on a Salvation Army song by George Marshall called Soliloquy (In the Stillness), since published in the General Series. This solo follows up the form of that previous work, though it is quite different in emotional content, and was a commission during Covid lockdown from Euphonium player Micah Dominic Parsons.The main inspiration is the tune Cross of Jesus by John Stainer as well as a motif from some older Euphonium Studies from the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, that Micah had discovered. The tune is used in a chorale form and, after an introduction, the very first section is a reversal of the chorale that appears in the second half of the work. The Euphonium exclamations are all derived from the main tune and the study motif. The work begins in quite a dark reflective manner, representing those aspects of the song, without being too specific. The second half reflects the more positive characteristics and finds a triumphal nature in its conclusion. The soloist lines throughout have a very declamatory style and can have a freedom in performance.There is one new element in the coda, where the triplet motif (bars 87-89) is a direct quotation from Romans 8 - A brass celebration by Ray Steadman-Allen. RSA was a good friend, mentor and encourager to me. The glorious climax of Romans 8 is his presentation of the same tune (Cross of Jesus) used in this work. And so the piece ends with a final and personal reference to RSA!- Howard Evans
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
View Music