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£40.62Verklarte Nacht (Brass Band) Arnold Schoenberg arr. Rob Bushnell
Composed in just three weeks in 1899, Verklarte Nacht (Transfigured Night) is a string sextet in one movement by Arnold Schoenberg. Whilst known better for tone rows, his dodecaphonic music and the Second Viennese School, Schoenberg was a master of harmony (writing a number of books on the subject) and, in his early life, was inspired by the music of Brahms and Wagner. This is his best-known tonal work. Its description as a tone poem is not surprising given it takes its inspiration from Richard Dehmel's poem of the same name, as well as Schoenberg's strong feelings towards his future wife, Mathilde Zemlinsky, sister of his teacher, Alexander von Zemlinsky. The work is said to have five sections, one for each of the stanzas in the poem. The poem, from 1896, describes a man and woman walking through a dark forest on a moonlit night. The woman shares a secret with him, that she is pregnant but not with his child. The man reflects upon this before warmly accepting (and forgiving) the news. The work premiered on 18 March 1902 in the Vienna Musikverein by the Rose Quartet. As was normal at the time, Schoenberg produced a string orchestra version that was premiered on 29 November 1916 in Prague, conducted by Zemlinsky, which was later revised in 1943 to better support the soloists, also adding more articulation and tempo markings. Whilst the piece was controversial at the time, both musically and due to the poem's "inappropriate" subject matter, Richard Dehmel himself was impressed, writing "I had intended to follow the motives of my text in your composition, but soon forgot to do so, I was so enthralled by the music." This arrangement is for the British-style brass band, with alternative parts for horns in F and bass-clef lower brass. To view a recording of the original composition please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqODySSxYpc. Difficulty Level: 2nd Section + Duration: approx. 6.40 minutes Sheet music available from www.brassband.co.uk 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 BbTimpani Percussion 1-3
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£34.95
SLOW RIDE IN A STATIC MACHINE, A (Brass Band) - Lawrence, Phil
A Slow Ride in a Static Machine was inspired some time ago when my (late) Father came to visit me "down in London" as he put it. It was based not on one of his circular mishaps, but on several! He was always directed carefully, but refused to carry a map in the car! At one time when I lived in North London I would meet him outside the capital, and he would then follow be back to my place, but after I moved to East London I made him bite the navigational bullet and transverse the 'M25 Orbital'. His main problem seemed to be getting off this mesmerising circular cark park. He would often phone (in a weary tone) from the Dartford Tunnel (which is 5 junctions past the one he needed to get off at), asking me to, "bring him in" so to speak. I would always refuse. And then, he would do the opposite (especially when travelling at night), he would phone me up from near Cambridge (he'd gone the wrong way up the M11 away from London by 45 miles), and would ask where he was!The title is obviously a play on John Adams' composition, A Short Ride In A Fast Machine. This quirky tone poem starts as a wind-up by using those unwanted intervals of augmented 4th's and minor 9th's & 7th's in the main tune, before hearing the road works, the juggernauts multi horns, fender-benders, ambulance and police sirens! This then all works to a back beat on kit. The wind-up start gets to an almost Go-Go 1960's Disco middle section (the nostalgic hay-days of the open road), where our wind-up tune falls into place and we all relax as we can now drive at 42.1 mph! We DC, and then get into a right car mess in the Coda!Phil Lawrence.Duration:4:00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£79.95Orion (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
Orion was named after the giant huntsman in Greek mythology and is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous and recognisable constellations in the night sky. This piece and its inspiration were composed as a tone poem creating a musical picture of this amazing phenomenon.The opening introduces the constellation. Starting mysteriously with the percussion and basses this section develops a series of rhythmic and harmonic interludes from the upper brass. As this introduction develops, the melodic line lead by the Solo Cornet and Euphonium builds as the accompanying instruments increase in their rhythmic complexity. This section climaxes with a short fanfare motif which will be a prominent theme throughout this piece.The fast rhythmic section that follows serves as a technical test for the players. The thematic device introduced by the Solo Cornets is passed around various soloists and sections within the ensemble. This part of the tone poem gives the opportunity for the ensemble to highlight their technical prowess. The fanfare motif returns to conclude this section and takes the piece into the slow middle movement.Motifs heard earlier are mixed with new ideas in this slow section which give an opportunity for a variety of soloists to demonstrate their musical prowess. After the various solo passages and cadenzas, the mood shifts dramatically to a more ominous section that builds in texture and dynamic. Concluding with our returning fanfare motif the piece then builds in momentum towards our finale section.This finale is a technical showcase which will further test the playing ability and stamina of soloists, small groups and the full ensemble. Using prominent musical themes heard throughout this piece the music builds to a glorious conclusion fitting with wonderful constellation.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£124.95Hyperlink - Peter Graham
Hyperlink was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education) for its 70th Anniversary Year. Since the anniversary coincided with other significant celebrations in 2022 (including the Royal Albert Hall/Ralph Vaughan Williams 150th and the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II) it was requested that these also be recognised in some way.
Where better to begin this challenging brief but with a computer search for the NYBBGB founder Dr Denis Wright (coincidently born in Kensington, home of the RAH). The subsequent rabbit warren of hyperlinks led me to structure the work through a series of "associations":
Movement I - The Voice of Jupiter.
Alongside the discovery that Denis Wright had been a church organist was the realisation that while the RAH has hosted thousands of musical events the fabric of the building actually incorporates a musical instrument, the famous Henry Wills organ (aka The Voice of Jupiter).Organ and J S Bach are synonymous (e.g. Toccata in D min) and so both become fundamental to the content of the movement. An opening 7 note quote from the Toccata leads to a mammoth sound cluster, as if every note on the huge RAH organ is sustained. The material which follows is based upon the notes BACH (in German notation). The notes are manipulated in various ways in a 12 tone matrix; reversed, inverted and so on. Other techniques employed in the movement are ones of which Bach was master, including ground bass and fugue.
Movement II - Remember Me.
The lives of Salvationist composer Ray Steadman-Allen (born 1922) and Ralph Vaughan Williams are remembered here, with "RSA" in musical notation and fragments of RVWs famous Tuba Concerto providing the source material.While writing the movement my father passed away and to close his funeral service the family chose the uplifting Robert Lowry hymn They'll sing a welcome home. It seemed fitting to conclude the movement with a reflective setting of the chorus, the repeated phrase "Welcome, welcome home" eventually disappearing into the ether.
Movement III - Vivat.
The finale takes the form of a short fantasy upon Hubert Parry's marvellous coronation anthem I Was Glad, truly a celebratory note with which to conclude.The first performance of Hyperlink was given by the NYBBGB conducted by Martyn Brabbins at the Royal College of Music, London on August 6th 2022.
Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£134.99Mirage - Jan de Haan
The composition Mirage takes inspiration from the legendary ghost ship "The Flying Dutchman", a story deeply rooted in maritime folklore. Cursed to wander the oceans forever, the ship often looms like a mirage on the horizon - a mysterious apparition in which reality and illusion blend intangibly.In Mirage the music tries to bring this mystical appearance to life. The piece begins with an atmosphere of mystery and wonder, creating the illusion of a mirage. The listener is taken to the vast sea, where the boundaries between the real and the unreal blur and the ghostly silhouette of the ship gradually becomes visible. Suddenly the tone changes. Powerful rhythms and stormy harmonies follow, expressing the ship's battle against the raging forces of nature. After this intense section, in which the musicians are pushed to their limits, the tranquility of the sea returns. The recurring mirages inspired the composer to create a lyrical middle section, in which various soloists tell their stories within this legend. In the final part, the sails are hoisted again, and the three-master continues its endless journey.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£19.95Bandkraft 2
The second of three superb sets of new music and arrangements for brass ensemble.Jazz Intermezzo - Peter Sievewright: Very close harmonies produce thick luscious tone colours, beneath an intriguing jazz theme.Bossa Nova - John Golland: A memorable tune, enjoyable and relaxed as a Bossa Nova should be, with much fun to be had in mastering the Bossa Nova rhythm.Ballade - Grieg, Arr. Ifor James: A simple enough melody, but a marvellous test for the phrasing and intonation of the horn section of the band.Bollin Hill Suite (Hoe Down, Passacaglia and March) - Phillip Malbon: A classic suite for brass band, concise yet complete.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£115.60Isolation - Suite in 5 Movements - Øystein Sjøvaag Heimdal
This suite in 5 movements was written during the Corona pandemic and is inspired by experiences and feelings during this period. Feelings like insecurity, frustration, happiness, sorrow, hope, and optimism are the underlying themes, and this can be heard through the music. This is not, however, program music, so the audience may have their own perception of what the music is about.This piece provides the opportunity to focus on the different elements of music, such as dynamics, articulation, expression, tone control and timbre.The five movements can be performed separately.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£94.95Of Men and Mountains - Edward Gregson
Of Men and Mountains was commissioned by the Netherlands Brass Band Championships for their tenth anniversary contest in Drachten in December 1990. In July the previous year, Edward Gregson and his wife took the Trans Canadian Railway from Toronto to Vancouver. The journey through the Rocky Mountains was the starting point for Of Men and Mountains. Gregson writes that: 'its high peaks and shafts of sunlight breaking through the clouds, its canyons and ferocious rapids made me understand a little more about the majesty of nature and the fragility of humanity. The eternal struggle between man and nature was personified in the building of this incredible railway... hence my title (after Blake).' The work is dedicated to the memory of Eric Ball, who died shortly before the writing of the work was commenced. Of Men and Mountains is in one continuous movement with a duration of approximately 17 minutes. Its form is difficult to describe because of its motivic and accumulative nature, but it is essentially a symphonic tone poem in search of a theme, which eventually comes in its final and complete state in the majestic ending after an ever-increasing paced scherzo. Of Men and Mountains has been selected as the test pieces for the 2023 National Brass Championships of Great Britain at the Albert Hall.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£89.95
Of Distant Memories - Edward Gregson
Parts only. Of Distant Memories pays homage to the brass band composers that form the backbone of the brass band repertoire and their music, and in the process summons up a kind of subconscious memory bank of the musicallanguages, styles and forms used by them. The music is conceived in the form of a 'traditional' tone poem, reflecting certain aspects (e.g. melodic, harmonic, textural)of those early test pieces. Although fairly traditionalconcepts have been kept in planning the architecture of the work, certain aspects of the instrumentation, or scoring, are more contemporary in colouristic terms, as befits a composer writing in the 21st century. However, thepercussion requirements are fairly modest, similar to those used in the works of that period. The brass band tradition owes much to the composers of that period, for through their music they established a truly homogenous'British' brass band sound which has spread throughout many parts of the world. That tradition flourishes today and remains important for today's composers, even if their musical language is far removed from that of theirpredecessors. Of Distant Memories is the composers own way of repaying that gratitude.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£29.95Bethena - Scott Joplin - Roger Nicholls
Much of Scott Joplin's work is happy in tone, but his concert waltz "Bethena" is full of sadness. The elegant melody lines are given to the solo cornet, the flugel and the euphonium; the accompaniment needs to be both flexible and sensitive. A reflective piece, useful for bandstand and concert hall.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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