Results
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£40.00Alchemists' Fire - Lucy Pankhurst
An original composition from Lucy Pankhurst and Winner of the 2011 John Golland Award, receiving its premiere at the RNCM Festival of Brass that same year.It is a complex, energetic and invigorating major work for brass band, and one which rightly demands attention through its intricate scoring, impact-making effects and bubbling brilliance!Comments from the composer on the work's title and its multi-purpose influence and inspiration upon her composition:"The phrase "Alchemists' Fire" has several possible connotations:Firstly, Alchemists' Fire is a magical weapon featured in the Dungeons & Dragon role playing game. It is a potion, so can be used to splash, throw or pour onto a target, dealing fire damage if it hits successfully.The second possible meaning comes from an historical source, where it was also known as Greek Fire, from which the D&D element takes its influence. This was an incendiary weapon used by the Byzantine Empire, typically used in naval battles to great effect, as it could continue to burn on water. It provided a technological advantage and was responsible for many key Byzantine victories. The manufacture of this 'fire' was kept a deadly secret; so much so that the formula was eventually lost and contemporary scientists and historians can only speculate at what the chemical make-up might have been.The final implication is a much more visual and sensory concept; that of the fire actually used by the Alchemist in his work - raging, dangerous and white-hot. Some sections of the work reflect the idea of 'magic' and ongoing experiments, some successful, some failing dangerously, in a cacophony of pops, fizzes and explosions amidst furious heat and brief moments of calm as the fire slowly cools, sizzling with residual components and elemental energy."
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£30.00Highly Exalted - Tim Paton
I was commissioned to write a piece for a festival. I set a religious text, Philippians chapter 2 verses 9 to 11, for soprano voice and chamber orchestra. I later modified and adapted this piece for soprano cornet and brass band. This music is very descriptive of what is contained in the Biblical text, speaking of things both terrestrial and heavenly.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£25.95Hymn for Africa - Peter Meechan
Part of the Brass Band Aid SeriesBrass Band Aid is a Charitable Organisation formed by members of Stanhope Silver Band, based in the North of England. From an original aim to raise awareness of the Make Poverty History campaign in their local area, a brass band CD recording was planned. The initiative took on a whole new dimension when the collection of local bands performing on CD were then joined by, what is now known as, The Brass Band Aid Celebrity Band, made up of many of the top brass musicians in the country.Following the success of this initial project the Celebrity Band has come together again to record a new CD - "Into Africa". This is a compilation of pieces especially written for the recording by some of the most esteemed brass band writers of today. 'Hymn for Africa' is one such piece, generously contributed by Peter Meechan in support of the ongoing work of the charity."Hymn for Africa is inspired by the the release of Nelson Mandela in the early 1990's and the effect it had upon not only South Africa, but all over the continent of Africa, as well as the World as a whole. The fact that one man can achieve this with peace and great dignity will always be an inspiration, not only to me, but many, many millions of humans around the globe.sense of dignity and peace the composer . A simple 8 bar melody, first heard on an unaccompanied flugel horn at the beginning, is the basis of the composition. A drone is then added, before a chorale, and finally a rousing climax when the percussion and full band enter. The piece ends at it began, with a peaceful, unaccompanied, flugel solo." (Peter Meechan).All sets sold raise money for Brass Band Aid - a charity The Music Company has continued to actively support since 25.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£30.00Janacek's 'Taras Bulba' - Janacek
Comments from Tim Paton, the arranger of Janacek's 'Taras Bulba': "I will never forget the day in 1967 when I was introduced to the music of Leos Janacek, a Czech composer born in 1854, who died in 1928. Janacek was little known in Britain until the 1960's, when the conductor Charles Macherras introduced his unique music. I heard a recording of Macherras conducting the Pro Arte Orchestra in a performance of Janacek's "Sinfonietta".It was in 1969 that I first heard Janacek's Symphonic Rhapsody, "Taras Bulba".Janacek's music is exciting, powerful, emotive, impassioned and unpredictable.I have taken the first and third movements of this piece, and adapted them for Brass Band, which was at times extremely difficult, but rewarding. It sometimes took up to an hour to be satisfied that a mere several bars had been reproduced to convey the composer's intentions.The Death of AndriThe Cossaks, under the leadership of Taras Bulba, are fighting against the Poles in the 17th century. Taras's son Andri seeks to rescue his love, a Polish princess, from a city which is being besieged by the Cossaks. Having found her, he throws in his lot with the Poles, but is finally captured by his father, who executes him as a traitor before riding off again to battle.Prophesy and Death of Taras BulbaTaras himself is finally captured and condemned to be nailed to a tree and burned alive. As the flames creep around him, Taras has the satisfaction of seeing histroops escape, and as he dies, sees a vision of his country freed at last.This is incredibly descriptive music. The mood is constantly changing, creating feelings of love and anger, celebration and melancholy, despair and triumph.This Brass Band EditionThe duration of the original symphonic rhapsody, three movements, is approximately 23 minutes. I chose the first and third movements, so the Brass Band edition is approximately 14 minutes. The main reason is twofold: Being realistic about the demands this music would place on the stamina of the brass player; Keeping the piece less than 15 minutes, so that, if desired, it could be used on the contest platform.Two unique qualities of Janacek's music had to be taken into account when preparing this brass band version. His compositional technique was individual, at times not sticking to traditional expectations, in both form and orchestration. I imagined what the genius himself would have said looking at my work, and how to tackle a particular section to emulate his original intentions. This was particularly the case when dealing with high woodwind and violin parts, the use of tremolo in string parts, and the orchestral harp.Percussion: Janacek included timpani, side drum, cymbals, triangle and tubular bells. For reasons stated previously, I have also included xylophone and glockenspiel. I have also added the gong in a couple of places to enhance the dramatic effect of the music.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£25.00
Meditation - John Stainer
Based on "God So Loved The World" from John Stainer's "Crucifixion".In the 19th century, the English composer John Stainer wrote an oratorio named "The Crucifixion". It contains a beautiful a capella setting of the Biblical text from John chapter 3 verses 16 & 17. Although I have added a few obligati and counter subjects, and a short fugal link, for the most part, I have not tried to add too much to a beautiful piece of traditional harmony. What I have done, is to try to emphasise the subtle changes of tone colour in the unique sound of the brass band. "Meditation" is on the latest CD from Weston Brass. Order from [email protected] price �6.95."..a beautiful concert item that reflects the title of the work perfectly." Robert Childs
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£30.00
On Ilkley Moor Pastiche
I was commissioned to write a piece for the RNCM Trombone Quartet by the bass trombonist Trevor Slade, a true Yorkshireman. I have created a full brass band version. There is an element of comedy, (though not irreverent). The introduction is a direct reference to a well known film theme about bouncing bombs! We then hear the famous Yorkshire melody with overtones of the old BBC Grandstand theme, (for those old enough to remember). A 'patriotic' section is a mixture of "Ilkley Moor", and those bouncing bombs again! We are then taken to a 'Dixieland' treatment, with 'overtones' of a 'Hootenannyish' piece, which every bandsman/woman is familiar with! What follows is a rather pretty 'Edmundo Ross(ish)' beguine. After a brief Beethovian bit, we are taken back once again to the original pastiche, with a BIG ending. A good piece for the lighter element of the concert programme.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£30.00
Rhapsody - Tim Paton
Composer, Tim Paton comments: Rhapsody began life in 1971, as Rhapsody in three movements. It was originally written for wind and brass octet with timpani, and was performed at the Royal Manchester College of Music (soon to become the RNCM) in 1972.Ten years later, it was expanded into a piece for wind band. In 22, I decided to make another major revision, and create a lower section test piece for brass band. I removed the middle movement, and published it as a "Romance" for brass band. I composed a link between what had initially been the outer movements, and renamed the piece Rhapsody".The link is inspired by the minimalist music of Philip Glass. In the lead up to the grand finale of the Rhapsody, I have used an accompanyingmotif/obligato which is directly inspired by a passage in the final movement of Janacek's "Sinfonietta".
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£32.55Menuet (Brass Band) Ravel arr. Rob Bushnell
Le Tombeau de Couperin (The Grave of Couperin) was written by Maurice Ravel between 1914 and 1917, originally a suite of piece for solo piano. Based on what was considered a traditional Baroque suite, Ravel wanted to pay homage to Baroque French keyboard music, whilst retaining his 20th-century chromaticism, making the work neoclassicist. Each movement is dedicated to the memory of a friend of the composer who died fighting in World War I. Ravel produced an orchestral version in 1919, omitting two of the original six movements. The Menuet was written in memory of Jean Dreyfus; Ravel had recuperated at his home. This arrangement is for the British-style brass band, with alternative parts for horns in F and bass-clef lower brass. A recording of the original composition can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnNwEcBTSmk. Duration: Approx. 4 minutes Difficulty Level: 2nd Section + Duration: 4 minutes (depending on tempo and without any cuts) PDF download includes parts and score. Sheet music available at www.brassband.co.uk (UK) or www.cimarronmusic.com (USA) 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 & Glockenspiel
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£36.16World War III (Brass Band) Joe Galuszka
This descriptive work for brass band by Joe Galuszka depicts the horrors of war. War is all around us. Every day, another life is lost. Myanmar, Sudan, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Colombia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. As time goes on, more and more countries are brought to the end of what is a diplomatic struggle - in where war seems to be the only option. 'War! Terror! Panic! captures the tumultuous and relentless nature of war. With driving rhythms, aggressive brass fanfares, and thundering percussion, the listener is immersed in the chaos of battle. Dissonance and clashing harmonies depict the discord that pervades war and takes us on a journey through the terror and panic that comes with the brutality of conflict. Remembrance (For Those That We Have Lost) provides a poignant and reflective interlude, allowing the audience to contemplate the human cost of war. Mournful melodies and expressive solos for trombone, euphonium and glockenspiel, convey the depth of sorrow and loss, serving as a powerful reminder of the toll war takes on individuals and communities. The final movement, Hymn for Peace and Hope is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the yearning for harmony - dissonance and conflict gradually give way to consonance and resolution. We celebrate the human capacity for unity and the triumph of peace over strife, as we imagine a world at piece. To listen to an audio demo of the work please visit https://on.soundcloud.com/Udt1AWRThgwuWnQv5 Duration: Approx. 5.00 mins Difficulty Level: 2nd Section + PDF download includes parts and score. Sheet music available from www.brassband.co.uk (UK) or www.cimarronmusic.com (USA) 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 1-3
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£57.86The Glory of Colour (Brass Band) Ivan G. Andrews
This work by Ivan Andrews was inspired by the large Baptistry window of the new Coventry Cathedral and will be suitable both as a contest or concert work. The window was conceIved and designed by Basil Spence and was intended to be a worldwide experience. When installed it was claimed to be "the single largest window in stained glass that hitherto had ever been contemplated and brought into existance." The stained glass design was done by artist John Piper and when completed was described by Bishop Bardsley as a "triumphant expression of faith, a faith encapsulated in the 'glory of colour'".* Hence the title for the piece. The composer writes: 'When thinking of this music the traditional tune now often called Monks Gate kept coming to me. The words often sung to this tune were penned by John Bunyan and each stansa ends with the words "To be a pilgrim". The Cathedral in Coventry, although a Christian Church, is designed to bring all faiths together in Unity - there is a "Unity Chapel" opposite the Baptistry window so the concept of pilgrimage seemed perfectly apt to me. The music is therefore designed to reflect many colours as there are many expressions of faith. Single fragments of the Monks Gate tune are used as a basis for what might be deemed 'variations'. The tune is heard in full towards the end of the piece and then the music rises to a climax of bright brilliant white light. The colours of the window are darker on the outer edges but they all circulate towards the brilliant white at the centre - representing the source of all faith.' To view a rolling score video of the work please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPN_EhhMDAE Duration: Approx. 11.30 minutes Difficulty Level: 2nd Section + PDF download includes parts and score. 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 1-2
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days