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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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£115.60Run Away - Hans Offerdal
This piece is about running away. First there is restlessness, then the escape begins. But what are we running away from? That is for you to find out!Playing time: appx. 4:30 To the conductor:There are challenges in the use of dynamics and rhythm. It is important that energy and pace is upheld all the way up until the next to last page. Dissonances are present several places, but the voice leading is diatonic within the given scale.The whole piece is based on one single scale: F melodic minor with lowered second degree. It is notated as a concert F major scale with two accidentals. Feel free to use it during warm-ups!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£228.70Echoes From..... - Kjetil Djønne
The essence of what a school band is, has inspired me in this composition. A hub between musicians of all ages and a place where young people can feel belonging. Several of the values in a school band have a positive impact on how musicians grow and mature. They learn about culture and discipline, as well as experiencing unity and mastery. A school band always has a goal, and achieving goals together, without reserves, is priceless. High ambitions and a common will to improve are recognizable in many school bands. In my opinion Skodvin Skulemusikk got these values: unity, affiliation, effort and ambition.The piece portrays the echo that rings in the hall before the applause after a concert. The echo in the hallways during breaks, or in the rehearsal room during rehearsal. The echo, or consequence, of all the work that is done by both musicians and parents. The echo of a unity and belonging that can last a lifetime.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£105.20Nocturne - Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
This piece was written for Manger Skulemusikklag (Norway).The title is given NOCTURNE (night song) for sereval reasons. It gave me the opportunity to compose a calm and introvert piece of music. The night is also the world of the dreams and this is what I tries to impose in thie music. At the same time is the night a good place to be - which means that it is the harmony that prevails.Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen (1990)
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£183.20Pulsar - The Metamorphosis of a Star - John Brakstad
4th July in 1054 AD one of the most spectacular events was witnessed in the Cosmos. A massive star blew out; a supernova explosion.From the Earth it appeared as a new, bright star; the most brilliant in the sky. It was visible for three weeks, also in daylight, before it then faded away.But what was left of it is spectacular. Today we call it the "Crab Nebula".And in the very centre of the Nebula lies the remnant of the star; the core crushed by the force of gravity.This is a rotating neutron star, a pulsar, just 20 kilometres across, but so dense that it weighs more than our sun.As the neutron star spins, ejected particles stream out from its poles at almost the speed of light.These jets create powerful beams that sweep around as the star rotates.When the beams sweep across the Earth, they can be heard as regular pulses. We call them pulsars.In this piece there are three percussion parts. In addition there is an "optional part" to replace the marimba and vibraphone written in the three original percussion parts if desired. This fourth part is shown in the full score.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£23.50A Brussels Requiem - SCORE ONLY - Bert Appermont
The attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016 created a shockwave throughout Belgium and the rest of the world. Equally, the attacks in Paris and Nice led to great public indignation, fear and disbelief. What has happened to the western world? Have our cultures grown apart to such an extent that we do not understand each other anymore? Bert Appermont's intention was to voice certain emotions that these acts of terror have caused: particularly fear, grief, anger, and helplessness. He uses the French children's song Au Claire de la Lune as a connecting thread throughout the work. This piece is also about hope and faith in another world, and is meant to pay homage to all victims, resulting in a dignified remembrance. The musical development is presented in four through-composed parts, titled Innocence, In Cold Blood, In Memoriam - We Shall Rise Again and A New Day. This work was commissioned by the Brassband Oberosterreich (Brass Band Upper Austria) to be played at the European Brass Band Championships 2017.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£60.99Theme from Schindler's List - John Williams - Jan de Haan
What a stunning piece of cinematic history and what a stunning soundtrack. John William's wonderfully compassionate main theme is woven into this arrangement that will haunt both band and audience. The magnificently simple melody reflects both the sadness and hope portrayed in the epic Steven Spielberg film.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99They are Coming - John Emerson Blackstone
There are people who are capable of planning well. They live their lives in a well-structured manner and know exactly what they have to do. On the other hand, there are also people who are the exact opposite: they want to do too many things at once and are often somewhat absent-minded, which occasionally results in frantic situations. The outcome of one such situation is 'They are coming'. John Emerson Blackstone had been working on a new composition for some time when he received a telephone call from his editor, who told him that the deadline was approaching rapidly, even worse, that it would expire at the end of that same day and that he would drop by in person to fetch thecomposition! Blackstone set to work in a frenzy and completed the last details. When his editor arrived, the piece was finished ..... and got its definitive title: 'They are coming'.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£134.99Alienus - Thomas Doss
"Alienus" - a word that means more than just extraterrestrial. It speaks of the foreign, the unfamiliar, the strange. Of that which comes from beyond - and yet stirs questions deep within us.In this work, it may represent many things: an alien, an unknown being, a stranger - or a human soul we cannot understand. My fantasy for brass band, tells the story of an encounter: humans come upon a sleeping, enigmatic creature. They gaze upon it in wonder - and in fear. Hesitantly, they draw near, driven by curiosity. Their inquisitive nature drives them to explore it, gradually crossing the invisible boundaries of reverence and humility - until the creature awakens. What follows remains untold. Each listener is invited to imagine their own story - or simply to be carried away by the music. The sound world of the piece draws from ancient roots: the hymn Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme ("Sleepers Wake, a Voice is Calling"), written in 1599 by Philipp Nicolai and later immortalized by Johann Sebastian Bach in his famous cantata. In the finale, the chorale resounds in its full glory - performed simultaneously in two different time signatures, evoking the echo of a vast, sacred space.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£154.99A Brussels Requiem - Bert Appermont
The attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016 created a shockwave throughout Belgium and the rest of the world. Equally, the attacks in Paris and Nice led to great public indignation, fear and disbelief.What has happened to the western world? Have our cultures grown apart to such an extent that we do not understand each other anymore? Bert Appermont's intention was to voice certain emotions that these acts of terror have caused: particularly fear, grief, anger, and helplessness. He uses the French children's song Au Claire de la Lune as a connecting thread throughout the work.This piece is also about hope and faith in another world, andis meant to pay homage to all victims, resulting in a dignified remembrance. The musical development is presented in four through-composed parts, titled Innocence, In Cold Blood, In Memoriam - We Shall Rise Again and A New Day.This work was commissioned by the Brassband Obersterreich (Brass Band Upper Austria) to be played at the European Brass Band Championships 2017.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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