Results
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£267.99Suite From Hymn of the Highlands - Philip Sparke
Complete score and full set of parts for Philip Sparke's Suite From Hymn To The Highlands for Wind Band. Suite from Hymn of the Highlands draws three expressive musical pictures of the Scottish highlands. The first movement, Ardross Castle, features solo passages for clarinet and bassoon and features a fascinating bagpipe melody. The second movement, Alladale, is a saxophone trio with an accompaniment featuring the percussion section. The final movement, Dundonnell, features two highly contrasting melodies, a wild presto and the bagpipe melody first heard in the first movement.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£164.99Zodiac Dances - Philip Sparke
Zodiac Dances was commissioned by the Izumiotsu City Band, Osaka, Japan to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Sparke had previously written the piece, Prelude to a Celebration for the band, and in composing a new piece for their 50th anniversary wanted to personalise it to reflect the band's history. He chose to write a set of six dance-miniatures based on the decades following the band's foundation and the equivalent signs from the Japanese 'Junishi'. During the piece, all aspects of true musicianship come to the surface. Energetic playing, phrasing, melodic music making, technique and a spectacular finale make this work a perfect test or concertwork!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£209.99Diamond Concerto - Philip Sparke
Diamond Concerto was commissioned by Musikverein Mrschied from Germany - Dr. Eric Grandjean, conductor - for a special concert featuring Steven Mead as guest soloist. Together they gave the world premiere on 28th April 2012 in the town theatre of Idar-Oberstein.The commission is a highlight in the 30-year friendship between composer and soloist, which has included many mutual CD projects and concerts and, now, a concerto. Sparke had Steven Mead's special euphonium sound in his head throughout the composition process and made free use of the variety of styles which the world-renowned virtuoso has made his own during his highly successful solo career.The village ofMrschied lies to the west of Frankfurt am Main in the area known as the German Road of Precious Stones, which is famous for its thriving gem industry. Because of this it was decided to give the commission a local connection by choosing the title, Diamond Concerto. Each of the three movements is named after a famous diamond:1 EARTH STARis rather stern in mood, opening with a free fantasy for the soloist over a static chord from the band. This leads to an Allegro Moderato in minor mode where small motives are gradually repeated and developed by both band and soloist.2 OCEAN DREAMuses a varied quote from the composer's Music for Battle Creek, including a melting slow melody that was originally written with Steven Mead in mind.3 BLUE HEARTwas written, at Steven Mead's suggestion, in bebop style and takes the form of a jazz waltz. The quasi-improvisatory central section features a call-and-response passage for the soloist and upper woodwinds.Soloist: Difficulty 6Diamond Concerto is available for euphonium and piano (AMP 374-401) as well as for euphonium and brass band (AMP 354-030).
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99For Whom the Bell Tolls - Philip Sparke
For Whom the Bells Tolls was commissioned by the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra, who gave the premiere in their 10th anniversary concert, held in the Artane School of Music, Dublin, on the 31st August 2024.The commission was funded by money raised to provide a piece which commemorated friends and members of the orchestra who had recently passed away. This prompted the choice of title, taken from the famous poem by English writer John Donne (1572 - 1631), which reminds us that the death of anyone affects us all.The work opens with an enigmatic duet between oboe and clarinet. This is taken up by the full band and leads to the work's main theme, a lyrical chorale, which builds to a passionate climax. A central section, introduced by the English horn (cue clarinet), eventually leads back to a triumphal return of the chorale on full band. The mood subsides to introduce an echo of the opening material, which brings the work to a peaceful close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£68.99The Castle on the Hill - Philip Sparke
The Castle on the Hill was commissioned by the Harmonie l'Abeille de Lucens, based in western Switzerland, and premiered by them in their 2025 Spring Concert on April 12th in the Grande Salle in Lucens. The band has a proud history dating back to 1883 and boasts a separate youth band as well as a music school. The march is in traditional form. After a brief introduction the main theme unfolds on the full band. This is followed by a bold theme in the bass, decorated with woodwind flourishes. A bridge passage leads to a second theme on clarinets and saxophones, repeated by the full band. A change of key heralds the trio section featuring a legato melody, again on clarinets and saxophones and taken up in a fresh key by the full band. This leads directly back to a recall of the opening material in a slightly abridged and decorated version, leading to an emphatic close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£206.99Omaggio - Philip Sparke
Omaggio was commissioned by Steven Mead in celebration of his 60th birthday and in memory of his father, Rex. He gave the premiere of the brass band version in Rome in March 2022, accompanied by the Italian Brass Band conducted by Filippo Cangiamilla. The concert band premiere took place on 6th July that year as part of the 2022 Spanish International Tuba Euphonium Conference, accompanied by the Banda municipal de msica de Mlaga. The concerto is set in 3 continuous movements, which are united by a recurring syncopated interval of a fifth. The first movement, FANTASIA, opens with this motive accompanying an extended monologue for the soloist. This is followed by a lengthy bridge passage by the band (piano), which is eventually joined by the soloist, who guides the music back to the opening soliloquy, leading to an energetic central section. This develops until the opening material again returns to introduce the second movement, BALLAD, which revolves around an expressive melody for the soloist, interspersed by accompanied cadenzas. The third movement, THE KING TRIUMPHANT, pays homage to Steven's late father, Rex, and its title alludes both to Rex's name ('Rex' being Latin for 'king') as well as his love of Eric Ball's Salvationist masterpiece, The Kingdom Triumphant. The finale is an energetic tour-de-force featuring an acrobatic 6/8 melody, which is interrupted twice by the magnificent hymn tune, Helmsley, which Ball uses so effectively in The Kingdom Triumphant. A galloping coda brings the work to a close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£164.99Songs and Dances - Philip Sparke
Songs and Dances is a festive and energetic work with an emphasis on music with a rhythmic, dance-like quality. Its three continuous movements are set in a fast-slow-fast form. Highly syncopated themes, flowing chorales and attractive melodies: what more could one wish for? This piece offers enjoyment for musicians and listeners alike.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99Highland Dawn - Philip Sparke
Highland Dawn portrays a sunrise in the Scottish Highlands, where stunning mountain scenery and clear air create a special atmosphere. A faster central section describes the area coming to life as the day begins, using the Scotch 'snaps' which are characteristic of traditional bagpipe music; but the serenity of the opening returns to bring the work to a peaceful close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£134.99Bacchanalia - Philip Sparke
Bacchanalia was commissioned by the Yokohama Bacchus Brass Orchestra to celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2019. The band wanted the title of this short opener to reflect the reference to Bacchus in their name, so Bacchanalia was agreed upon. The spirit of the Greek god of wine does indeed permeate the piece, with bustling themes, dance motifs and occasional harmonic ambiguity. A lovely piece of music full of joie de vivre.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£164.99A Sevenoaks Suite - Philip Sparke
A Sevenoaks Suite was commissioned by the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band from Kent in the south-east of England. The suite describes 3 famous landmarks in the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge area: 'Knole Park', situated to the south-east of Sevenoaks. 'The Chapel - Tonbridge School': This movement centres around a hymn-like chorale, depicting the years of worship that have taken place within the chapel, and 'The Vine Bandstand' suggesting the type of music often played in bandstands. It is in march form, but is not actually a march throughout, veering off into other styles before ending emphatically.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
