Results
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£99.99Watch Your Step! - Philip Sparke
Watch Your Step! was commissioned by Stadtmusik Biel from Switzerland and is dedicated to the mayor of Biel/Bienne, Erich Fehr. The title was chosen to represent Biel as the watch-making capital of Switzerland. Watch Your Step! is one part of a series of 'up tempo' Sparke marches such as Slipstream, The Bandwagon and Jubiloso. After a bright opening, a syncopated first theme is played, firstly by clarinets and saxophones, and then by the full band. A 'bass strain' is followed by a contrasting second subject, which is played twice. The bass melody returns to herald a truncated version of the main theme, before the opening fanfarereappears as a coda.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99And Still, the Spirit - Philip Sparke
This work was commissioned by Dr. Robert Oertli from Mhlin, Switzerland, and is based on an earlier composition called Spirit of the Sequoia. The piece is inspired by how the human spirit can gain from setbacks: we become stronger after adversity. Sparke used the Californian redwood tree as a metaphor for this basic idea. The remarkable life cycle of these amazing trees involves them dropping seeds to the ground, which require heat to open their shells and germinate; the seeds require destruction in order to procreate. This piece is particularly suitable for younger bands - one of the last wishes of the initial commissioner.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£91.99Prelude on an Irish Folk Tune - Philip Sparke
The Irish folk tune, which appears towards the end of the piece, is Slane, a hymn tune version of the much older folk melody The Banks of the Bann. In Prelude on an Irish Folk Tune, fragments of the folk tune hint at what is to come later in the piece, but another folk-like tune is predominant. This later acts as a descant to Slane when it finally appears. Add a little Sparke sparkle to any concert with this lovely interlude.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£99.99A Monmouth Overture - Philip Sparke
A Monmouth Overture was composed in 2007 for the Haberdashers' Symphonic Winds, as part of Philip Sparke's year as composer-in-residence at the Monmouth school. The work is based around the 15th century Agincourt Song, written inhonor of Henry V's victory over the larger but outdated French army. Henry V was born in Monmouth in 1387, giving this wonderful overture its historical title. Bring a piece of history with a modern twist to your concert program.Dur: 4:30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£141.99Shaker Heights Fantasy - Philip Sparke
The Shakers were a sect who, in the 18th Century, sailed out from England to America. Right into the late 19th Century, the numerous songs of this community were handed down orally, until they were written down in various volumes of song collections.Philip Sparkes fantasy for wind band is based on a selection of these beautiful, captivatingly simple songs.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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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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