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£116.40Decennium - Eric Swiggers
'Decennium' was composed in 2003 as a commission by the municipality of Berheze for its tenth anniversary. The composition describes the history of this town in the Province of Brabant, consisting of 6 different villages: Heesch, Heeswijk, Dinther, Nistelrode, Loosbroek and Vorstenbosch. The composition starts with a slow introduction, Adagio Misterioso, suggesting the atmosphere in long-ago days when the area consisted mainly of swamps, meres and low woods. (The word 'Bern' is a synonym of 'Born' meaning source or water, whereas 'Hese' is derived from 'Haisjo' meaning brushwood ). Above the dark sounds we hear far away trumpet signals announcing the Middle Ages. After a piercing crescendo, we hear the full sound of festive trumpets. A medieval dance, as was to be heard in the Heeswijk castle, follows. This dance gets a more and more stirring character and finally turns into a merry popular dance ending with a burst of laughter reproduced by descending scales with the muted trombones and trumpets. A slow transition with a quotation from a Gregorian plainsong (Domine Deus) and church bell ringing, referring to the Abbey of Berne, brings us to a romantic Larghetto. This part describes the quiet rural life in a beautiful natural surrounding. The last dying note contrasts with the threatening ostinato, referring to the rise of the industrialization, which provoked quite some resistance with the local people. Once more we hear the 'Domine Deus' but much more powerful this time. When the resistance calms down, the work concludes with an Alla Marcia. The first notes of the main theme could be heard all through the composition and now we hear the complete main theme again. The new town is born. A festive conclusion refers both to the tenth anniversary and the optimism and confidence as to the future.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£115.60Joyful Life - Jerker Johansson
When Jerker Johansson in the 80's started to compose he was for a while obsessed with writing music in odd time signatures, more specifically 7/8. He was asked during the fall of 2020 by Leif Karlsson (former member of the legendary percussion ensemble Kroumata and nowadays conductor) to write something challenging for Uppsala Blasarsymfoniker and this resulted in Joyful Life. The piece is, to say the least, difficult to tap the pulse along to and is something of a baptism of fire for the musicians, regarding rhythmic precision. Joyful Life is dedicated to the always likeable Leif Karlsson (Joyful Leif!) and was premiered on the 15th November 2020 by The Swedish Air Force Band under the baton of the composer.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£84.99The Saint and the City - Jacob de Haan
This work is based on a well-known myth about the city of Zwolle in the Netherlands. In the waters surrounding Zwolle lived a dragon that regularly emerged. Time and time again he threatened to destroy the city with his fiery breath if he was not given a living sacrifice. The archangel, Michael, who manifested himself as a young knight, saved the city. In a fight he beheaded the monster with his sword. Later, Saint Michael fighting the dragon, which was a symbol of evil and injustice, acquired a permanent place on the city coat of arms. For this composition, the hymn tune Laudate Dominum has been chosen as a central musical theme for the archangel. The dragon isreflected in a series of chords that evoke a somewhat ominous association.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£60.99Consolation - Jan de Haan
Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten was composed by Georg Neumark in about 1641 and was subtitled 'Trostlied' literally meaning consolation song. Songbooks at the time showed the popularity of this song and it is still well-known today partly due to Johann Sebastian Bach's use of the melody for one of his own chorals. In Jan de Haan's arrangement the choral is heard twice, once, alternating with the original motif from the introduction and a second time, without interruption, reflecting the composer's original intention - a song of consolation.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£104.99Cambridgeshire Impressions - Rieks van der Velde
In a four-part composition Rieks van der Velde takes us to the richly varied area surrounding the university city of Cambridge. The Dutch composer was especially inspired by the atmosphere of Cambridgeshire, the county which lies north ofLondon. 1. The Journey. Although on arrival the area looks peaceful and friendly, the ruggedness of its inhabitants and landscape have an unmistakable influence on the music. In the course of the tour, which starts with an Allegromovement, we are shown the vitality, energy and freshness of the Cambridgeshire countryside. Short themes, swift and sudden motifs and rhythmical patterns supported by the drive of percussion instruments give expression to this image. Thefirst part is concluded by two Calmo movements in which the music expresses how the cathedral in the city of Ely comes into sight and is gradually approached. 2. Visit to Ely Cathedral. The famous Norman cathedral church of Ely, whichwas built in 1109, has attracted tourists from all over the world apart from being a place of worship and heritage site. A cornet solo introduces the contemplative mood of the composition at this point. The mystical atmosphere of thecathedral runs through this lyrical part like a continuous thread. 3. The Pub. The thirst caused by this intensive journey makes a visit to the local pub a definite must. These "public houses", which may be open until the earlyhours of the morning, offer all kinds of entertainment. Drinks are served liberally and the atmosphere is lively. 4. The Journey Back. Time has flown: In other words, the moment of departure has come sooner than one would havewished. In a flashback which recaptures elements of the first part of the composition we say goodbye to Cambridgeshire in a fitting manner. Two scintillating final measures bring us abruptly back to the present.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£154.99The Divine Right - Philip Harper
At the time of composing this piece, the Arab Spring was sweeping through the Middle East. It seemed that almost every week a new countrys people had risen up against the regimes and dictatorships which had prevailed for generations, leaving manynations at a defining crossroads in their history. There were so many possible ways ahead: so many hopes, yet so many uncertainties.My music is a depiction of these revolutionary times, and several musical themes are in turn presented, discussed, considered, fought over, altered, rejected or accepted. Most nations have had, or probably will have, their own Arab Spring, including my own, the United Kingdom. Events of 17th Century Britain provide the context for this piece, particularly those following the execution of the tyrant King Charles I on30 January 1649. The regicide was in part due to Charless steadfast belief in the Divine Right of Kings, and led to a tumultuous interregnum, where England stood at its own defining crossroads.The music begins turbulently, before King Charles appears and is led to the gallows outside Banqueting House in central London where he is brutally decapitated. From the assembled crowd rose, according to one observer, a moan as I never heard before and desire I may never hear again.The music descends to emptiness. The musical argument which follows is not strictly programmatic, but a number of musical themes are all thrown into the melting pot, representing ideas such as: religion; military force; reasoned Parliamentary debate; and the chattering,irrepressible voice of the people. Additionally, there are some quotations from the music of royalist composer Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656), who was often in tune with the feeling of the times. This defining episode in Englands history was brought to a close with the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, and as the exiled King Charles II rode back into London the diarist John Evelyn wrote: Never was so joyful a day seen in this nation. I stood in the Strand and beheld it, and blessed God.At the end of the piece the bells ring out, and the musical appearance of the King has transformed from turbulent to triumphant. Philip Harper, 2013
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£77.20The Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber - Andrew Lloyd Webber - Henk Ummels
Once again Henk Ummels has succeeded to make a rich and full arrangement using only 5 voices. This time an arrangement of highlights from the biggest musical hits from the most well known musical composer of all time. It has been arranged for beginner bands, but also very suitable for lower level bands who want something fun and entertaining. Includes music from: The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£115.60
Speedy Dreams - Jerker Johansson
Speedy Dreams was premiered by Goteborg Wind Orchestra in 2013 with Fredrik Duvling as snare drum soloist. The composer Jerker Johansson is a percussionist himself, so through the years he has spent lots of time practising the snare drum. Theinspiration to the composition came to him in a dream, which was about yet another dream:On the evening of Christmas Eve a small child is trying to go to sleep. It is not so easy. Earlier in the day the child has got a small drum as aChristmas present. So instead of sleeping the child is fantasising about the new toy drum and how exciting it will be to learn how to play it.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£105.20Our Last Summer - Benny Andersson - Bjørn Morten Kjærnes
An exciting arrangement where almost all players have a bit of the melody line. There are many opportunities to give individual musicians soloistic challenges. Any bandmember should find something interesting in this piece. It will be possible to add vocals to the arrangement. A lovely melody with great expressions.Our Last Summer" is a song by the Swedish pop group ABBA from their seventh studio album, "Super Trouper," released in 1980. The song is indeed featured in the musical "Mamma Mia!", a little bit shortened and with small changes in the lyrics. The musical premiered in London's West End in 1999 and is a duet performed by the characters Harry Bright and Donna Sheridan, reflecting on their past romance during a summer spent in Paris.The song is primarily sung by Bjorn Ulvaeus, with backing vocals provided by Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, the female members of ABBA. Their harmonies contribute to the song's nostalgic and wistful atmosphere. The lyrics vividly describe the memories of the summer spent together, including scenes of walking along the Seine River in Paris and listening to French songs. The song also touches on the passage of time and the realization that the summer romance has ended.While not released as an official single in most countries, "Our Last Summer" still received considerable airplay and became a fan favorite. It charted in some European countries and has remained popular among ABBA fans over the years.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£228.70Fanfare and Chorale - Egil Hovland - Ray Farr
This arrangement (or edition) for brass band will give the possibility for more performances of this fine work by Hovland. The composer, before his death, examined my work and made no suggestions for changes, and his approving comments were complimentary and encouraging. The work was originally written for Concert Band in 1966 as Op. 54a to St. Olaf College Band in the US. It was transcribed in 1967 for symphony orchestra as Op. 54b by the composer himself. The challenges in arranging the piece for brass band were mostly concerned with satisfactorily covering the upper register used by piccolo, flutes and clarinets, and while there are wonderful brass players around who have amazing high registers, I have aimed this edition at a level achievable by reasonably good brass band players who are willing to give time and effort into the proper preparation and delivery of the music. Having worked on this new edition with a top-class brass band, I think it sounds wonderful and interestingly different to the original. Besides the obvious differences of tone-colour and absent high notes, I have used in my scoring, the option for using a vibraphone in place of a celeste. Vaughan Williams, in his Variations for brass band writes for celeste, but because the instrument is quite rare, performances have been mostly given using a glockenspiel- but this, of course sounds two octaves higher than it was intended. I think that vibraphone and brass is an excellent combination and recommend it without hesitation in this piece. Every detail of articulation and dynamic has been considered, so in order to keep the integrity of the music, please do not change anything in the name of "interpretation". As Ravel says- "What is there to interpret?" Ray Farr
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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