Results
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£73.50Proxima B - Steven J. Pyter
Where in the galaxy, other than Earth, could human life survive? Proxima B may be the answer to this cosmic question. The planet orbits the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our Sun. First discovered in 2016, NASA says, "The exoplanet is at a distance from its star that allows temperatures mild enough for liquid water to pool on its surface." Journey over four light years to the twin star system of Alpha Centauri in Proxima B, by Steven J. Pyter. Hear and feel the excitement and danger of traveling beyond our solar system in this sci-fi-inspired, cinematic-style concert work that is sure to capture the imagination of performers and audiences! This piece was the 2022 winner of the National Band Association Young Band Composition Contest.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£159.99Resurrection - Kevin Houben
"Man wird mit Keulen zu Boden geschlagen und dann auf Engelsfittichen zu den hchsten Hhen gehoben." (Mahler over zijn 2de symfonie "Wederopstanding", Juli 1894)*"You are clubbed to the ground and then lifted to the highest heights on angels' wings"Commissioned by and dedicated to Concertband Maasmechelen (BE), conducted by Mark Prils.Kevin Houben was inspired for this work by Gustav Mahler's 2nd symphony, better known as the Resurrection symphony.The work can be regarded as a Ma(h)lerei of various compositional and spherical elements that refer to the Austrian composer but that appear in this composition in an embedded, contemporary way.As Mahler often drew his inspiration from nature, the opening of this piece brings nature right to the audience. The work starts with a solo for alto flute accompanied by a pedal note in four octaves with harmonic responses echoing the solo.From the start, Kevin Houben provides Mahler's material with a contemporary touch. He replaces the nature sounds that Mahler uses (perfect fourth) with tritone intervals. The off stage trumpet signals have been preserved but are provided with a new accompaniment. Gradually, throughout the work, the orchestra undergoes its own independent development. Mahler's musical signature remains recognizable, but Kevin Houben allows it - e.g. through the use of various timbres - to flourish in a more modern musical idiom, which characterizes numerous contemporary compositions for wind band (cfr. Where Angels Fly).The work comes to a grandiose end with a passage of the famous chorale from Mahler's 2nd symphony. The rich orchestration of this chorale gives the listener the illusion of the presence of a choir and organ without actually using them.In Resurrection, each instrument group comes into its own: in solo fragments, in transparent thematic passages or in splendid tuttis. Therefore, the work forms an interesting challenge for a wind band on several levels, both technically and melodically - the latter due to the long suspenseful melodic phrases that the musical structure requires.The piece is accessible to a wide audience and can be regarded as an enrichment for any concert programme. Resurrection takes the audience through various atmospheres and experiences: from stunning to chilling, from calming to delighting...Die Musik muss immer ein Sehnen enthalten, ein Sehnen ber die Dinge dieser Welt hinaus." (Gustav Mahler, 1860-1911)"Music must always involve a longing, a yearning beyond the things of this world."
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£134.99Compostela - Thierry Deleruyelle
"Four roads lead to Santiago", so begins the Book of the Pilgrim. Written in the 12th century, the Codex Calixtinus opened the way for pilgrimage from most cities in Europe and North Africa to Santiago de Compostela, in Spain. Compostela - The Way of St James describes the pilgrims' journey. After a slow introduction, a brilliant theme announces the start of the journey. The arrival in Spain is indicated by incantatory chants and majestic chords. Finally, the music softens as the pilgrims venerate St James.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£122.50Music With Chequered Ears - Árpád Balázs
Television viewers of nearly a hundred countries have experienced rpd Balzs's touching melodies. The series of cartoons have neither dialogue nor text: the music presents the amiable and entertaining adventures of the rabbit with chequered ears and its friends. Balzs has rephrased and developed the well-known melodies and as a result a ''children's story symphony'' of seven movements has been created in which, in contrast with Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, there is no narrator but the instruments themselves represent the story-tellers. The composer has again associated the groups of instruments with one another in a colourful and varied manner, skilfully alternating the modes of solo, chamber orchestra and orchestra. Movements I, II, IV and VII represent a ''short suite'' that can be independently performed, thus due to its duration of four minutes and easier level, ensembles with more modest opportunities can also perform it. The most well-known parts of the cartoon series music - the main title and the ending - are included in both versions.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£68.99
Fairy Tail Suite - Tsutomu Tajima
This work was complete in January 2013 to commemoration the 50th anniversary of the Iwate Prefecture Band Association. Conditions at the request were as follows:1: Does not have to be particularly relating to Iwate. It should be something that would be widely familiar to the whole country. 2: Should suit the contest piece requirements. 3: Must be a song that can be used at a graduation ceremony for student procession and recessional.4: Must include vocal parts with a beautiful melody.5: Must be a march.6: Must be a song that would be loved by many.They are difficult requests. I hope to satisfy at least one of them.We selected Yanagida Kunio's book "Tono Monogatari" as the cornerstone of the work, chose four stories that fit the image, and stuck close to the source of the story. Then, "prelude music" was added, making it a suite consisting of five movements.I. "Prelude" What kind of story will it be? An exciting opening expresses such a feeling.II. "Zashikiwarashi" Spirit that brings good fortune and wealth. It appears at midnight and makes mischief, something silly, not serious. Zashikiwarashi moves quickly, dances, plays its games, hiding and reappearing often. These characteristics are considered cute and the music depicts such a mischievous Zashikiwasi.III. "Oshirasama" A girl and her horse love each other. Her father forbids this, and kills the horse. The beautiful daughter clings to the horse and cries. Eventually, the daughter and the horse rise to heaven, slowly and gradually, remembering former happy days. The music captures this ascension to heaven.IV. "Yamanba (Mountain witch)" Run away, run away, its chasing, still chasing. Run away, and still chasing. The girls hides. Yamanba searches. It keeps chasing, endlessly, following her everywhere. Chasing, chasing, and finally... Seriously and comically depicting the chase situation in fugue style.V. "Kappa" Staring into the distance. It looks gallant. What is it looking at? Staring beyond the mountain? Perhaps it is longing for hope and happiness. This is an homage, a march, and cheering song for Kappa who never gives up and embraces dreams and hope.It is my wish that many people become familiar with this song.(2013.3.31 Tsushima Tashima)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£141.99Jalan-Jalan - Shin'ya Takahashi
Jalan-jalan was inspired by the music of Bali, Indonesia based upon its unique melodies, modes and rhythms. As part of the independent archipelago "Ryukyu", Okinawa (southernmost Japan) had an active exchange with Bali that included cultural and musical influences. Jalan-jalan means "walkabout" or "walking journey" in Indonesian. It describes a walk in the so-called Isle of the Gods, encountering Bali's beautiful scenery and daily life. Its four themes include "Dawn," "Morning Market," "Beach in Early Afternoon" and "Kecak Dance (a form of Balinese dance and music drama, performed primarily by men) in Torchlight."An imposing pesante introduction will properly establish this song's mood. Boldly balance winds and percussion to the prominent timpani solo. At Allegro Vivo, observe the lighter abbreviated scoring and balance melody/countermelody at E. Melodies are elongated at the Grazioso, and tenor/bass rhythm figures need enough separation to be felt. The urgent-feeling Presto must initially be reserved except for the percussive "slaps"; same thing again at O. The daunting rhythmic figure at Q is actually a chattering effect-combine the two elements to teach continuity and placement. Don't "over blow" the ending, but continue to emphasize unique rhythmic elements.(Shin'ya Takahashi)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£123.95Symphonic Overture - Charles Carter
Symphonic Overture is a contemporary-sounding overture of medium difficulty so scored that it can be performed with equal success by large and small groups alike. Employing the familiar three-part form (A-B-A), the opening section has a theme which is robust in character and with considerable rhythmic interest. The second theme, slow and expressive in character is a free form based on an opening idea introduced by the first flute. At the return of the first section, the first theme is treated as a fugue subject building to great heights as all four entrances are achieved. As the exposition concludes, the contrapuntal texture gives way to a homophonic quality which closes the piece.The coda, as is characteristic, utilizes material from the first theme.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99A Copland Portrait - David Conte
Originally commissioned by maestro Neal Gittleman, A Copland Portrait was premiered by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra in January 2000. In March of 2015, First Lieutenant Ryan Nowlin's transcription of this work for band was premiered by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Jason Fettig. ECS Publishing is proud to offer both the band and the orchestra version. Conte on the creation of this overture: "I set out quite consciously to evoke various aspects of Copland's work by combining and recombining them within the terms of my own musical personality. For example, the first theme of A Copland Portrait combines the character of a theme from The Red Pony with the rhythmic texture of the scherzo of the Third Symphony. While composing the piece I was conscious of drawing inspiration from many of Copland's works; a melodic shape here, a harmonic gesture there, until I arrived at something that felt fresh and new to me. A Copland Portrait is cast in a traditional Sonata-Allegro form. After a vigorous, syncopated orchestral tutti, the first theme is announced in the solo oboe, accompanied by a steady eighth-note ostinato. Playful interjections are stated in the flute and bassoon. The syncopated tutti returns; the first theme is stated again, this time in the low winds. This theme builds to a colorful climax, leading into a more dissonant transition section, which gradually slows and gives way to a lilting, more lyrical second theme in the clarinet. After some modest development of the second theme, a more plaintive theme stated in the muted trumpet brings the exposition to a close. A scherzando development section follows; the first four notes of the first theme are inverted and subjected to various contrapuntal treatments. This development section ends with a return of the opening syncopated motive, leading into a recapitulation of the first theme, this time in canon, and the second theme and closing theme, broadly sung. A brilliant toccata-style coda brings A Copland Portrait to a brisk conclusion."
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£94.99O Christmas Tree
The tradition of the Christmas tree in Western Europe dates back to a time long before any Christianization had taken place. During the severely cold winter nights, so it was believed, evil spirits tried to 'kill' nature. Needle-leaved trees were the only ones which kept their green colour throughout the year, and therefore became symbols of immortality. These 'living' trees, said to be the work of benign spirits, were brought into people's houses to ward off evil, life-threatening powers. In the 14th century people first started to decorate Christmas trees. It was a pagan custom, originated by the inhabitants of Alsace. This custom was taken over by the Church inthe course of the 15th and 16th century. At first the decoration consisted mainly of edibles, such as apples and wafers, but later small presents were added. Legend has it that the reformer Martin Luther was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree with candles. The flickering candle flames were meant to create the image of a starry sky in which Christ's apparition could be recognized. The German organ-player Ernst Anschtz from Leipzig was the first person to notate the song 'O Tannenbaum', the melody being a well-known folk song. Next to 'Stille Nacht' 'O Tannenbaum' is the most famous German Christmas song, now known throughout the world. In the United States of America the melody of 'O Tannenbaum' has even been used in four States (among which the State of Maryland) for their State song. In David Well's arrangement the song is first heard as many of us know it. After this introduction, however, it is transformed into a solid rock version, and the beat has been changed. In the second part the familiar three-four time is back, but here the rhythm is different from the original. After the richly ornamented rock beat the basic theme can be heard once again and the composition is concluded in a festive manner.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£141.99Concerto for Wind Ensemble - Karel Husa
Commissioned by the Michigan State University Alumni Band, this three movement work by Karel Husa was the winner of the first Louis Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition in 1983. A note from thecomposer: 'Divided into three movements, this work is a display of virtuoso passages given to solo instruments as well as to the groups of the ensemble. In the Fanfare of the first movement, the Brass section concertises in groupsof four Brass quintets (2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone and Tuba or Baritone), spread from left to right in back. The Saxophones (SATB) are placed in front of the Brass quintets, and the Woodwinds occupy the front of the stage, withPercussion on the left and right side. These groups, like the Brass quintets, play in the concertante style, particularly in the first and last movements. 'At the same time, each movement contains individual solo passages(for example, Timpani and Flute in Movement I - Drum Ceremony and English Horn and other low Woodwinds in Movement II - Elegy). The composition of this piece was prompted by the excellence of Wind and Percussion players today, andby the incredible growth of Wind ensembles, orchestras, and bands in the last 25 years. It is intended for their enjoyment.'
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
