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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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£154.99Spiriti - Thomas Doss
A Bach chorale stands at the centre of this work (Fur deinen Thron tret ich hiermit).Anton Bruckner was one of Johann Sebastian Bach's great admirers. His work is full of the spirit of that musical genius. For Thomas Doss, it was Bruckner's spirit that always seemed to be with him while working on Spiriti. Bruckner's spirit is captured in this composition by a quote from the chorale of his Fifth Symphony at the end of the piece.The introduction, written in the style of a funeral march, already displays the first fragments of the chorale. Like splinters they are strewn throughout the first Allegro, combining and recombining in turbulent, powerful tuttipassages. As the music becomes more rambunctious, the Bach-like fragments begin to swirl around each other, only to be scattered once more.The middle-section is of a more pensive nature. The Religioso character gives the audience time to reflect. The music is meditative and the quarter-note (or crotchet) elements mimic a soul that is yearning and crying out.The third part of the piece finally leads, by way of minimalist elements and the fragments mentioned earlier, to a magnificent presentation of the Bach chorale. As the church bells ring out, one can almost hear the great masters presiding at the organ.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£164.99Diamond Concerto - Philip Sparke
Diamond Concerto was commissioned by Musikverein Morschied from Germany - Dr. Eric Grandjean, conductor - for a special concert featuring Steven Mead as guest soloist. Together they gave the world premiere on 28th April 2012 in the town theatre of Idar-Oberstein.The commission is a highlight in the 30-year friendship between composer and soloist, which has included many mutual CD projects and concerts and, now, a concerto. Sparke had Steven Mead's special euphonium sound in his head throughout the composition process and made free use of the variety of styles which the world-renowned virtuoso has made his own during his highly successful solo career.The village ofMorschied lies to the west of Frankfurt am Main in the area known as the German Road of Precious Stones, which is famous for its thriving gem industry. Because of this it was decided to give the commission a local connection by choosing the title, Diamond Concerto. Each of the three movements is named after a famous diamond:1 EARTH STARis rather stern in mood, opening with a free fantasy for the soloist over a static chord from the band. This leads to an Allegro Moderato in minor mode where small motives are gradually repeated and developed by both band and soloist.2 OCEAN DREAMuses a varied quote from the composer's Music for Battle Creek, including a melting slow melody that was originally written with Steven Mead in mind.3 BLUE HEARTwas written, at Steven Mead's suggestion, in bebop style and takes the form of a jazz waltz. The quasi-improvisatory central section features a call-and-response passage for the soloist and upper woodwinds.Soloist: Difficulty 6Diamond Concerto is available for euphonium and piano (AMP 374-401) as well as for euphonium and concert band (AMP 354-010).
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£40.00Shackleton's Cross - Howard Goodall
Shackleton s Cross was inspired by a painting created in 1957 by the English artist Edward Seago (1910 1974). The title refers to a cross which was erected to the memory of Sir Ernest Shackleton, who led a number of explorations to the Antarctic. Shackleton died in 1922 whilst on a Polar expedition, and the cross can be found on a promontory at the entrance to the bay at Grytviken Whaling Station in South Georgia. The painting is owned by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and was part of an exhibition at Buckingham Palace from October 2011 to April 2012. Originally scored for oboe, trumpet and small orchestra, Daniel Hall s sensitive arrangement fortrumpet or cornet and brass band follows the composer s alternative version for solo trumpet and organ, created for Crispian Steele-Perkins (trumpet) and David Goode (organ).
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£102.60Milonga del Angel - Astor Piazzolla - Sverre Stakston Olsrud
This arrangement was made after hearing Astor Piazzolla's 1986 recording of his own work written in 1965.The original instrumentation of bandoneon, violin and string bass is here arranged for three wind soloists with Concert Band.The Eb Cornet is the main soloist (filling the bandoneon role), while the trombone and Solo Bb Cornet shares the violin part as a kind of flirting undertone to the Eb Cornet.It's not possible to make a 100% correct notation of the solo parts, so it's recommended to listen to the record album "Zero Hour" from 1986 to get the best impression of the work.Enjoy "Milonga Del Angel" and imagine a small, dark cafe in Buenos Aires!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£55.00Coronation Scene. - Modest Mussorgsky
Few operas have had such a remarkable history as Mussorgsky's masterpiece Boris Godunov. It exists in no less than three complete versions by the composer himself, as well as posthumous editions andorchestrations by Rimsky-Korsakov (from which this arrangement is taken), Shostakovich and others.The Coronation Scene is set in the Square of the Moscow Kremlin, between the Cathedral of the Assumption and theCathedral of Archangel Michael, the year is 1598. After being crowned as Tsar, Boris Godunov acknowledges the people's acclamations and the bells of the two cathedrals, as well as many churches within the vicinity, canbeheard ringing out across St Petersburg.Available here are the score and parts for Mussorgsky's Coronation Scene (Boris Godunov), as arranged for Brass Band by Phillip Littlemore.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£59.99Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Johann Sebastian Bach - Philip Sparke
Bach's appointment as the Cantor at Leipzig's Thomaskirche in 1723 required him to produce a new cantata for every Sunday service. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring is taken from his Cantata No.147 and is unusually elaborate, treated more like an aria than a chorale. It is perhaps the best-loved cantata movement from Bach's entire output and is a certain crowd pleaser for your concert programme.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99We Will Rock You - Lorenzo Bocci
Brian May's We Will Rock You was not Queen's biggest hit when it first came out. However, looking back it has become much more than simply a successful song. It is the group's hymn, welcomed with loud cheers whenever and wherever it is played. Let the good times roll with Lorenzo Bocci's outstanding arrangement that will rock your band!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£69.99Have Mercy, Lord - Johann Sebastian Bach - Philip Sparke
Have Mercy, Lord from J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion is one of the most beautiful arias from the baroque period. In Philip Sparke's arrangement, it is envisaged that the soloists stand together as a group stage right, while the other musicians stand behind to form the tutti group. This piece is easily playable for both the soloists and the band, and will create a beautiful moment of reflection whether performed on the concert stage or in a church.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£127.30Root Beer Rag - Billy Joel - Svein H. Giske
Root Beer Rag was written for the 1974 album release Streetlife Serenade by American pianist/vocalist/composer Billy Joel. After the success his own recording, several other pianists have performed it both on record and stage. There's also many arrangements of the song made, some of them featuring soloist(s). This arrangement for Brass Band by Svein H. Giske was written to Askoy Brass Band for their participation in the entertainment-competition Siddis Brass in 2016. It's very virtuosic and challenge almost all sections of the band.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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