Danceries (Set I) (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Hesketh, Kenneth

The term 'Danceries' can be found in a copy of Playford's Dancing Master, an extensive collection of folk and popular tunes of the seventeenth century (and no doubt earlier). This publication was used by master fiddle players to teach the various dance steps of the day to a nobleman's house or a king's court. Whilst this present set of 'Danceries' cannot be said to be an aid to terpsichorean agility, it will at least set feet tapping! The melodies themselves are a mixture of new and old--well, nearly. Where the old occurs it has been adapted in mood and composition and is often interspersed with completely new material. The harmonies and rhythms bring a breath of the new into these themes and add to the drama of the set.Movement 1: Lull me beyond thee. Gentle and lilting, almost a barcarole, this movement is very much a reverie. The original tune had the name 'Poor Robin's Maggot' - a rather disconcerting title; maggot, however, in seventeenth-century parlance meant whim or fancy. This theme can also be found in The Beggar's Opera by John Gay (first performed in 1728) under the title 'Would you have a young lady' (Air 21).Movement 2: Catching of Quails. A colourful, buoyant scherzo on an original melody. The thematic material is shuttled around the band to contrast with full-bodied tuttis. The last few bars fade away to almost nothing before a final surprise!Movement 3: My Lady's Rest. A tender pavane, also on an original theme, with Moorish leanings. Solos for principal winds and brass contrast with warmer tutti passages. The movement culminates with a final presentation of the theme before evaporating in held flute and trumpet chords.Movement 4: Quodling's delight. The final movement to the set combining one of the melodies from Playford's Dancing Master ('Goddesses') with an original contrasting melody. A dramatic and exuberant ending to the set of 'Danceries'.Duration: 12.00

Danceries (Set II) (Concert Band - Score and Partss) - Hesketh, Kenneth - Littlemore, Phillip

Danceries Set II was commissioned by Keith Allen and Birmingham Symphonic Winds, supported by PRS for Music Foundation and the RVW Trust. The world premi?re of this work was given by Birmingham Symphonic Winds, conducted by Keith Allen, at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham in 2011. This second set of Danceries continues the format established in Danceries (Set I), namely in using material taken from Playford's Dancing Master, a collection of folk and popular tunes published in the seventeenth century, to form the basis of an extended dance suite. In this set, the melodies have been more abstracted and project only a distant echo of their original forms, but as before, each movement is self-contained, colourful and direct, with its own distinct mood. The outer movements - Jennie's Bawbee and Peascod's Galliarda - share a use of driving percussion writing with a military air. Tom Tinker's Toye and Heart's Ease (movements two and three) are both settings of original melodies. All movements are more extended than in the first set, with a freer use and approach to the material; melodies now occur in various keys and are supported by a greater variety of harmonic colouring. The result is a richer, even more exhilarating set of dances. Danceries has come of age! Duration: 15.00

  View Music

Dances and Sonnets (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - De Haan, Jacob

Dances and Sonnets is a piece by Jacob de Haan, inspired by the dance and poetry of the 19th Century Europe. Lively instrumental dances alternate with spoken sonnets that are recited by one or more readers, accompanied by quiet, solemn music to provide contrast. De Haan has compiled a list of suggested poems to be read, but other poems may be selected that better fit the occasion. Dances and Sonnets is a dramatic and truly special piece!Duration: 11:00

Dances Fantastique

This exciting new work for concert band is a set of three delightful dances. Opening with a bold fanfare statement, the first dance reveals the melodic material that is the basis for all three movements. The title of this movement, Double Dance, is derived from the second statement of the melody, appearing in doubled rhythmic values. The second movement, Round Dance, the melody is written as a three part round. You could not have a Round Dance without a Square Dance, which is the title of final movement. Lots of fun percussion instruments add interesting timbres throughout. This interesting and clever composition is perfect for contest and festival.

  View Music

Dances from Crete (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Gorb, Adam

Three traditional Cretan dances and a spectacular trip down the Samaria Gorge provide a vivid, infectious mixture of raw energy, breathtaking atmosphere, gripping theatre and heart stopping pathos; all scored with flair and panache.Duration: 17:00

Dances From Morning Of The Year (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Holst, Gustav - Brand, Geoffrey

Much of the thematic material for this lovely work by Holst is derived from the opening legato melodies provided by soli horns. The themes morph into several different dance feels throughout the remainder of the piece always keeping you guessing what will come next. Brand, Geoffrey has done a masterful job of adapting the score for the modern concert band.

Dances From Morning Of The Year (Concert Band - Score Only) - Holst, Gustav - Brand, Geoffrey

Much of the thematic material for this lovely work by Holst is derived from the opening legato melodies provided by soli horns. The themes morph into several different dance feels throughout the remainder of the piece always keeping you guessing what will come next. Brand, Geoffrey has done a masterful job of adapting the score for the modern concert band.

Dances from the Duck Pond (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich - Stubbs, Duncan

The music of Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' and 'Nutcracker Suite' are popular pieces of seasonal music, especially at Christmas time, and here Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, currently the Principal Director of Music for the Royal Air Force, has taken three movements of themes from these works and given them a light-hearted treatment. These attractive settings should appeal to many young/learner bands and prove to be a popular item on their concert programme.

Dances from the Duck Pond (Concert Band - Score Only) - Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich - Stubbs, Duncan

The music of Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' and 'Nutcracker Suite' are popular pieces of seasonal music, especially at Christmas time, and here Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, currently the Principal Director of Music for the Royal Air Force, has taken three movements of themes from these works and given them a light-hearted treatment. These attractive settings should appeal to many young/learner bands and prove to be a popular item on their concert programme.

Dances of a Shimmering Spirit (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sheldon, Robert

This piece has an attitude! A bit jazzy, a little sassy, and a touch of glitz and glam certainly sets this piece apart. Fast-paced rhythmic riffs in a minor key alternate with soaring melodies in a major key. A thoughtful and expressive lyrical section provides contrast. Duration: 5:00

  View Music