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£49.95Malcolm Arnold Variations (Score Only)
MALCOLM ARNOLD VARIATIONS was commissioned by Philip Biggs and Richard Franklin for the 20th All England Masters International Brass Band Championship held in the Corn Exchange, Cambridge on 25 May 2008. The work is dedicated to Anthony Day, long time carer of Sir Malcolm Arnold in his final years. I first met Malcolm and Anthony in 1990 and remained in constant touch until Malcolm's passing in 2006. Anthony, of course, remains a friend and plays his own role subliminally in this piece. The work is not based on any of Malcolm Arnold's own themes, rather it is a portrait of him (and by association Anthony Day) through my eyes and as a result of my friendship with both parties over some 18 years. If there is any theme as such it is the personalities of the players, the protagonist and his carer placed together by my own efforts coloured and influenced by aspects of Arnold's style and technique without recourse to direct quotation but through allusion and parody. It is of course designed as a brass band test piece but in my eyes is first and foremost a musical challenge. The pyrotechnical elements are there but always secondary to the musical thrust of the work's structure. I have long beforehand submerged myself in Malcolm Arnold's music and ultimately delivered this tribute. Music Directors will be advised to acquaint themselves with the composer's personal music, particularly the film scores, symphonies, concertos and ballets: the solutions towards a successful interpretation of my piece are all in there - and YES, I want, and sanction, this piece to be interpreted, and therein lies the challenge for those of you 'up front'! The challenge for players is that of virtuosity, ensemble and careful attention to where they are individually in relation to their colleagues - a question of balance, taste and insight. With regard to tempi, as is my usual custom, I have indicated all metronome marks with the prefix circa. I would suggest that the fast music is played at these tempos but that the more rubato moments can be allowed some freedom in expression and fluidity of line. With regard to the type of mutes to be employed - this decision I leave to the discretion of players and conductors. Structurally the work is cast as an Introduction, 20 Variations and a Finale. Some variations are self contained, others run into each other as sequences in the same tempo. In other variations, segments are repeated and developed. I could describe the overall concept as a miniature ballet or a condensed film score - there is much drama and character and the repeated elements assist this in driving the action forward. I have deliberately avoided the more extremely dark qualities of Malcolm's own music in this, my celebration of this master-composer, as I have always viewed (and evidenced by my previous Masters scores Tristan Encounters and Chivalry) that the Cambridge contest is a 'sunshine- affair' and firmly believe that Malcolm Arnold would have had it no other way too!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£10.00Swedish Festival Music (Study Score)
This three-movement suite was commissioned by the Swedish Brass Band Association as the test piece for the Championship Section of their 2008 National Contest. The first movement is inspired by the magnificent Swedish hymn 'How Great Thou Art'. Indeed the influence of that hymn can be traced in all three movements. The declamatory style of the opening gives way to other, more reflective expressions of awe and wonder. A more animated section develops before a final, triumphant statement of the 'How Great' idea returns to finish the movement. The slow second movement features another much-loved Swedish hymn. The music provides plenty of scope for expressive playing, and a feeling of intimacy should be created by the use of several short solo passages. The third movement Allegro brings a totally different, dance-like mood with frequent references to a reel from the region of Uppland. This eventually brings a return to the opening subject and a final, triumphant reference to 'How Great Thou Art'.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£74.86Mind Dances (Brass Band) Fendall Hill
This highly descriptive and personal work for brass band is autobiographical, and based on a seven-year period of the composer Fendall Hill's life. He comments: "...external events had severe personal consequences, and my previously self assured self woke in the early mornings, way before my body wanted. My mind would fret, regret, and attempt to fix things beyond my control or powers, carving out an anxiety-shaped hole in my soul. This piece is an exploration of the sheer range of thought processes I went through, the mind dances I would perform to either calm myself back to sleep, or somehow come to terms with my situation. So often I would get to the point of mental exhaustion after phases of semi-calm, imagined alternate realities, and sheer panic. Your mind knows there is no benefit to worrying, but that doesn't stop the flow of emotions, the fear, and the anxiety." To view a performance video of the work please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUhy33KKCKY&t=3s PDF download includes score and parts. Sheet music available from: UK - www.brassband.co.uk USA - www.cimarronmusic.com Difficulty Level: First Section + Length: 15.00 minutes Instrumentation: Soprano Cornet Eb Solo Cornet Bb Repiano Cornet Bb 2nd Cornet Bb 3rd Cornet Bb Flugel Horn Bb Solo Horn Eb 1st Horn Eb 2nd Horn Eb 1st Baritone Bb 2nd Baritone Bb 1st Trombone Bb 2nd Trombone Bb Bass Trombone Euphonium Bb Bass Eb Bass Bb Timpani Percussion Vibraphone Marimba
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£49.99No Time To Die - Christopher Bond
Delayed by the pandemic but scheduled for release in 2021, the much-anticipated James Bond film No Time to Die features a darkly beautiful and moody theme song recorded by Billie Eilish. With hints of the signature Bond harmonic flavour and stylish setting, this song is already on its way to becoming a classic. Note: whilst the demo video demonstrates the concert band arrangement, the version available to purchase on this website is the brass band transcription by Christopher Bond.
Publisher Closed for Holidays. Estimated Dispatch 22nd August
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£34.95Vissi d'arte - Christopher Bond
Vissi d'arte is a soprano aria from act 2 of the opera Tosca, by Giacomo Puccini. It is sung by Floria Tosca in total anguish, in the form of a prayer to God, asking 'why he rewards her thus?'. Just before the aria is performed (and the reason for its presence) Baron Scarpia, the chief of police, tells Tosca that in order to save her lover Cavaradossi's life, she must sleep with him. Vissi d'arte is Tosca's cry of anguish; she reasons that although she has never done anything wrong, she is still being faced with an impossible choice: either way, she will have to betray Cavaradossi, in the form of sleeping with another man, or not doing everything she could to save his life. This arrangement was made for Rose Hancock and City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) Brass Band for their performance at the 2020 Welsh Open Entertainment Contest.
Publisher Closed for Holidays. Estimated Dispatch 22nd August
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£35.00Swan Lake (Finale). Tchaikovsky.
Recommended - Championship & 1st Section The Finale from Swan lake is the turbulent and dramatic conclusion to Tchaikovsky's celebrated ballet so as a 'finisher' this music is as exciting as it gets! The music begins at whirlwind speed before giving way to the famous tender love theme, which is skilfully developed before the music builds to a thrilling and exciting conclusion. This arrangement won the prize for the best new arrangement at 'Spennymore' in 1996, played by the Fodens Band. Includes score & Parts
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£34.95On Ilkley Moor Baht'at - Jonathan Bates
DURATION: 4'00". DIFFICULTY: 3rd+. 'On Ikley Moor Baht'at' was arranged specially to celebrate Yorkshire Day on Saturday 1st August, 2020. The original work was performed and recorded virtually by a band from each of the 4 ridings of Yorkshirewith the arrangement being made with this 'distance banding' idea in mind. Each of the verses is painted in a unique way to each other, telling the story and character behind the lyrics - which are sung in the traditional Yorkshire dialect. .
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£29.95Scherzo No. 1 - Jonathan Bates
DURATION: 2'30". DIFFICULTY: 1st+. 'Scherzo No.1 (Sanguine)' was composed for the Reg Vardy Band's 2019 Brass in Concert Championships programme, which revolved around the 4 temperaments of Human Nature - a theory by the Greek philsopher Galen from 450 BC. Sanguine individuals are defined as being optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation. An extrovert, and someone that looks for the good in situations. They bring energy into a room and brighten people's life with their humour and cheerful nature. It is upon this definition which Scherzo No.1 is composed, with an optimistic and cheery feel to the music, with small interjections of anger and sadness soon giving way to the more upbeat music surrounding it. .
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£76.00Harpe Davids - Anton Weeren
"Harpe Davids" Psalm 150, arranged for brass band in a creative and festive way. Written for the 100th anniversary of the music association Harpe Davids from the Dutch village of Ridderkerk. As the opening of a concert, this festive piece of music is certainly not out of place. The sharp brass kicks off with signals, after which the whole orchestra gives a festive response. The psalm is fully quoted in the arrangement, including the two verses, making it also suitable for congregational singing in church and worship services.
Estimated dispatch 10-14 working days
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£72.00A Fairycocktale - J. de Vlieger/Erik Janssen
Stories, illustrated in a musical way have always been a common feature in entertainment music. Many orchestras considered them welcome additions to their repertoirelist: it allowed the musicians a little time to relax while the audience could focus their attention on matters other than music (however competently performed).In Snowhooderella several fairy tales are mixed up and this may explain the title: SNOWwhite, Little Red Riding HOOD, CindERELLA. The relationship between fairytale, cocktail and the Grimm brothers needs no further explanation. As you may see now, the title is not just nonsense; it has a certain meaning.
Estimated dispatch 10-14 working days
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