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£36.00Edward Gregson: The World Rejoicing
DescriptionComposer's NoteIn searching for a common link between the brass band traditions of the various European countries that commissioned this work, I considered the fact that hymns have always played an important role in the relationship that brass bands have with their particular communities; and thus I turned to a well-known Lutheran chorale, Nun danket alle Gott (Now thank we all our God), written around 1636 by Martin Rinkart, with the melody attributed to Johann Cruger. A number of composers have incorporated this chorale into their music, most famously J.S.Bach in his Cantatas no. 79 and 192, and Mendelssohn in the Lobsegang movement of his 2nd Symphony (the harmonization of which is usually used when this hymn is sung).It seemed fitting therefore for me to return to a compositional form I have used many times before (Variations) and to write a work based on this hymn. I have used it in a similar way to that which I employed in my Variations on Laudate Dominum of 1976 - that is, rather than writing a set of variations using elaborations of the complete tune, I have taken various phrases from the chorale and used them within the context of other musical material, applying an overall symphonic process of continuous variation and development. The structure, or sub-divisions of the work, which is through composed and plays without a break, is as follows: Prelude, Capriccio, La Danza 1, Processional, La Danza 2, Arias and Duets, Fuga Burlesca, Chorale, and Postlude.The work is also partly autobiographical - in the manner say of Strauss's Ein Heldenleben - in that I have incorporated into the score brief quotations from many of my other major works for brass band. In that respect, The World Rejoicing sums up a particular facet of my life as a composer, and reflects the admiration I have always had for what is surely one of the great amateur music-making traditions in the world.The World Rejoicing is dedicated 'in loving memory of my brother', Bramwell Logan Gregson, who sadly passed away in the Autumn of 2018.Edward Gregson
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£174.10Three Gentle Giants - Svein H. Giske
Three Gentle Giantswas commissioned by Grenland International Brass Festival as a test piece for the 2nd division in 2008.Three Gentle Giants. The three giants each have their own monologue which leads into a conversation. They gather recognition and respect from each others views as the dialogue evolves. Eventually they find a more nutual and singular expression to their conversation.The giants are old with a long life behind them. This can be heard through a slow, melancholic waltz. A waltz is dance commonly linked to festiveoccasions, such as weddings, but for the giants it holds much more significance. It gives room to think about people they have met, placesthey have been, and all that life has given them.Quietly it ends, more or less like it began. We hear echoes of the past, before it all fades out.The giants wander off into a new beginning.Svein H. Giske- January 2023 -In Memoriam Thorvald, Finn and Thor Louis
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£119.99
Bellum et Pax - Stijn Roels
Bellum et Pax is a composition describing the two ancient concepts of 'war' and 'peace.' While this piece appears to be one single movement, it consists of four sections that flow into one another. Mysterious and threatening tones lead the way into an epic battle between the chaos of war and enlightenment of peace. Peace triumphs, but menacing bass notes at the end symbolize the constant presence and threat of war and violence in the world.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£85.00Alchymist's Journal. - Kenneth Hesketh
'The Alchymist's Journal' gets its title from the book of the same name by American author Evan S. Connell. The book fictionalises a number of famous Alchemist's writings, each one developing another's thoughts thuscontinuing one idea but changing it subtly to provide a new view point or way of thinking. This process is, in fact, alchemical as one idea transmutes into another. This idea is parallel to the processes at work within thesevariants. The whole work is constructed from 6 notes (C, A, B flat, E flat, F sharp, E) and is presented in nine different sections, each individual in mood but still based upon the original pitches. This is not a thematic setofvariations, as the themes are developed one at a time from small segments of the six notes. For example, the opening theme is the complete number of pitches, the second theme uses three notes transposed then repeated at theoriginal level, and so on. Harmonically, the six notes can be divided into two triads, A minor and E flat minor - each key beginning and ending the piece respectively. Whilst this is essentially abstract music with noprogramme there is an introduction, menacing scherzo, slow reflective section followed by a recap of the scherzo and final coda. 'The Alchymist's Journal' was commissioned by the Brass Band Heritage Trust at the suggestionof Paul Hindmarsh, to whom the work is dedicated.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£94.99Admiral Spirit - Timothy Travis
The 'Admiral Spirit' is the pride of the Navy. The ship is at sea, there is no wind, the sun is shining. The crew are busy piloting the ship into port in prime condition. The admiral himself will inspect the vessel. The first movement (Allegro Con Spirito) gives musical expression to the majestic ship and its toiling crew. In the second movement (Andante), the ship sails into port. It has been polished and technically everything is in order. The admiral will be proud when he inspects the ship. Third movement (Allegro Molto): the captain and his crew are nervous (modulations) while working at the 'finishing touch'. The Navy Band is ready to receive the admiral !. Hemay be proud of his flagship.
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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£127.30Model T - Sammy Nestico - Idar Torskangerpoll
Sammy Nestico's legendary car ride in an old T-Ford has long been a classic in the wind band repertoire. Now, the brass bands also can enjoy this car ride.In the piece Nestico uses percussion and wind players to make a sonic landscape where the listener easily hears how an old veteran car is started, with some problems, and then is accelerated into narrow country lanes.This is a piece for bands looking for programmatic music of a certain character. It's a big crowd-pleaser which appeals to most listeners, especially those who are into nice, old cars.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£76.99
Music for Cinema - Bertrand Moren
In Music for Cinema Bertrand Moren pays tribute to film music, a genre he has particularly passion for. The work opens with a sonorous introduction which gradually leads into the central passage which alternates between discordant plaintive lines and expressive and passionate solo phrases. A mysterious and tense bridge passage brings a feeling of fear which leads into the finale in which the opening melodic line returns over perky and joyful rhythms.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£74.99
Brilliant Beatles - Peter Kleine Schaars
There have been many arrangements of Beatles' songs for various kinds of ensembles, so rather than just producing a further medley of Beatles' hits, Peter Kleine Schaars has added a new twist to them with this excellent new work. All You Need Is Love and With a Little Help from my Friends pass by in a swing march, Michelle sounds like a newly composed ballad and When I'm Sixty Four is played in Dixie swing style. A Hard Day's Night is transformed into a funk theme with a samba interlude, Let It Be into a slowmarch, and Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da in a rock beat. Experience The Beatles as you have never heard them before.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99
Eres Tu - J.C.Calderon Lopez de Arroyabe - John Blanken
In 1973 Juan Carlo Calderon wrote Eres Tu for the Spanish Basque pop group Mocedades. The song was placed second in that years Eurovision Song Contest and is one of only five Spanish language songs to get into the US top ten. Subsequently the song was translated into 15 different languages including an English version entitled Touch the Wind. This romantic ballad is a great inspirational item that will be well received by your audience.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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