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£184.99
Rubicon - Bert Appermont
The Rubicon is a river in Northern Italy which Julius Caesar crossed with his army in 49 BC in defiance of the leaders of Rome, who feared his power. A civil war against rival Pompey ensued, which culminated in Caesar seizing power as the absoluteruler of Rome. The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" therefore refers to any person committing himself irrevocably to a risky, decisive and irrevocable of course of action.The work consists of three parts that deal with this important moment in history.Part 1 (Meditation) symbolises Caesars request to the Gods to assist him in his difficult choice. In a slow introduction we hear the melancholy and beseeching sounds of the duduk (alternatively, this part can be played by a soprano saxophone)and of the soprano solo singer over the bourdon accompaniment. The soprano solo singer then sings "dona tibi pacem" (give him rest) in a melodious and probing theme.In Part 2 (Battle of Pharsalus) trumpets and trombones resound alternately ina stately Roman fanfare, producing a stereophonic effect. This develops into a martial theme in which Caesars impressive army goes to battle against the army of rival Pompey. While the theme of Caesars army fades away, Pompeys theme emerges as anaive dance in six-eight time. His army is definitely in the majority and it believes it can easily defeat the enemy. Suddenly trumpets and trombones clash on two sides of the orchestra: Caesars army advances and attacks. A fierce battle ensues inwhich the two themes are played alternately as well as simultaneously. Thanks to his shrewd battle tactics, Caesar manages to win this legendary battle after all: his theme resounds ever louder in trumpets and horns until everything dies out andchanges into a kind of reconciliation between the soldiers of the two armies. The melancholy "dona tibi pacem" from part 1 now serves as a reconciliation theme.Caesar is now the sole ruler of the New Roman Empire, which would be destined to leave itsmark on our Western civilisation to this day. The third part is a sparkling succession of dance music (Dance) with many Greek and Roman elements in which Caesars victory is praised and celebrated. It is common knowledge that the culture(arts, gods, etc.) of the Romans drew heavily on Greek culture. I have therefore used an authentic Greek theme (the Seikolos song) several times in this part (bar 17 in the euphonium, bar 60 in the base section, bar 68 in the sopranosaxophone) to suggest the music of that era and to evoke the right atmosphere. After a gradual increase in tempo in the entire orchestra, the opening melody gloriously resounds once more, surrounded by virtuoso dance music. The work ends withbombastic brass fanfares in which Caesars theme triumphs once more.NOTE FOR THE CONDUCTOR:The Armenian duduk and the monochord that are used in the introduction give a special tone to the music, but could be substituted (soprano saxophone instead ofthe duduk) or left out (monochord). The soprano solo is also doubled within the orchestra and could therefore also be left out if necessary, although it does provide the work with an extra dimension. The male voices in the introduction and the finalecould possibly be replaced with a synthesizer with choral setting.As a visual and acoustic element in part 2, the trumpets, the e-flat cornet, the small drum and trombones can be stood up and placed at two sides of the orchestra (bar 80).Seen fromthe point of view of the conductor, put the trumpets, the e-flat cornet and the small drum in the left section and the trombones in the right section of the orchestra. This also helps to create a visual contrast between the two themes of the secondpart. The players can be seated again at bar 97 or bar 121. The soprano soloist can be placed in or in front of the orchestra, depending on what gives the best result. For the conclusion of the work the soprano solo can be sung from afar (from thewings) to create additional atmosphere.This work was composed especially for the "St Joseph" brass band from Pey/Echt (Belgium) with conductor Mark Prils.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£193.20CASTRVM - Lionel Beltrán-Cecilia
CASTRVM is a symphonic episode inspired by four of the main civilizations that have coexisted over time in Ulldecona's Castle. With its melodies and sound effects, the composer tries to transport the listener through a trip to four uninterrupted movements, from the beginnings of this small settlement, creating a natural atmosphere recreated by the voice and the singing of birds to take us into the history with the first inhabitants, the Iberians, giving strength to the introduction of the composition, to move on to the time of the Andalusians, which with a melody in the form of a dance marked by percussion will transport us to take a walk in the surroundings of its circular tower. Next, and with strength, we arrive at the medieval and Christian period, marked in the score by the brass instruments, in this fragment we find moments that take us into the church of "Santa Mara de los ngeles", with melodies that evoke resonance and pomposity, continuing until we find the immense square tower, symbol of the fortress and homage, finally used as a prison and arsenal of those times. Then, there is a small slow march that will move us to some measures of strong stridency to finish with the whole section of low brass having its great moment of prominence, down to we reach the last part, Qna, a name that is recited during the musical piece and one of the names given in the past to the area that could be seen from the castle, where the change of location of the new town is recreated leaving the castle site, but always looking at it with respect and admiration as at the beginning of what is now the current Ulldecona, in this part, the composer plays a bit with a very well-known and significant melody for the inhabitants of Ulldecona, the "Jota Vieja", first making a reflex effect of all its melody and then only with the first six notes of this one, which builds a bridge until reaching the march and, later, the grand finale of this symphonic episode. The work was commissioned by Ulldecona Town Council and the Ulldecona Music Band, led by its conductor Joan Nadal i Girona, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the donation of the Town Charter of Ulldecona "the old" (1222-2022), as part of the PATRIMONIUM 20.22 programme, "La Banda (Sonora) del Castell" (The soundtrack of the Castle).CASTRVM consists of: I.Iberians: stone and ironII.AndalusiansIII.The square tower: fortress and homageIV.Qna
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£159.99The Miner's Saga - Otto M. Schwarz
This programmatic piece is about a simple miner by the name of Gottlieb Bumler and his pact with the devil. In the program note one can follow each step of the story so you can almost hear the events as if they were happening in front of you! This cinematic piece is full of sound effects, great brass sequences, solid percussion and virtuosic winds. An ideal piece for a thematic concert, or a challenging choice for a contest. This programmatic piece is about a simple miner by the name of Gottlieb Bumler and his pact with the devil. In the program note one can follow each step of the story so you can almost hear the events as if they were happening in front of you! Thiscinematic piece is full of sound effects, great brass sequences, solid percussion and virtuosic winds. An ideal piece for a thematic concert, or a challenging choice for a contest.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£89.99Centennial Prelude - Jan Van der Roost
This short opening music was composed on commission of the symphonic band of Jan Van der Roost's village (= Kontich near Antwerp / Belgium). In 1991, this community band celebrated its 100th anniversary. After composing commissioned pieces from different countries (even from Japan), this was the most 'near' commission he ever received indeed!It is a short but varied piece, featuring all sections of the band. After a short introduction, played by the brass instruments, a crisp rhythm starts and boxes the main theme. After a second theme, played by brass and percussion, a short melodical passage brings some 'rest'. At the end, the fanfare of the introductionreoccurs.Although this "Centennial Prelude" isn't a really demanding piece, it sounds colourful and energetic. It has been recorded on CD by the band of the 'Royal Dutch Airforce' and the 'Desford Colliery Brass band'.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£113.30Cerimonial Ouverture - Lorenzo Pusceddu
This work is characterised by the strong presence of the brass section. Already in the introduction, a sombre pedal is followed by a dialogue between the trumpets and horns that augments as we are conducted to the luminous entrance of the entire band. The brass section, with the vital support of the percussion instruments, also dominates the subsequent movement. The central part is in decided contrast to the rest of the work;the woodwind section becomes the key protagonist of the scene, with sweet melodies and delicate, harmonious embellishments. The initial atmosphere then returns, with the former hierarchy re-established and the unequivocal finale features a powerful cord played by the brass section alone.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£109.99
Dublimania - Menno Bosgra
This new work is based on Irish folk music.In the first part, the main theme is presented as a ballad, starting with the piccolo (as replacement for the flute which is widely used in Ireland), moving on the wood section to end with the entire orchestra.It then changes to a kind of rock style theme: powerful, rhythmic accompaniment with effects in dampers, a pedal point and the use of the spoons which is typical of Irish music (Irish pub), high-range bongo drum (replacement for the Bodhran), etc.In this second part I introduced a second theme as a counterbalance, played by several groups, which has clearly a more legato character and therefore sounds more melodious.The climaxof the work starts in the low-range brass section with its marcato theme that is developed with a great deal of rhythmicity in the accompaniment, clusters, etc. into a percussion solo interspersed by the orchestra in five-eight time with frequent parallel movement in chords (folk music style).Towards the end, theme 2 recurs twice: first as heard earlier with an extra counter melody and accompaniment pattern, then in a canonical form, in which the theme is played by three groups. The conclusion is a repeat of the middle section in five-eight time.I have tried to use many of the colours of a wind orchestra by having the wood sections and brass section play alone and making extensive use of dampers. Percussion also has a prominent role throughout the work.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£127.30Funky Hedde - Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
A good friend of mine, trombonist and professor Jesper Juul Windahl commissioned me a trombone quartet. I then wrote Four Nordic Folk Pops. The last of the four is a Norwegian tune called Havard Hedde in a funky version. Then I made a brass quintet version for Lofoten Brass Quintet for a their Australia tour. The trombonist in the quintet asked me for a brass band version to be used in an entertainment contest (SIDDIS Brass). Havard Hedde did not succeed in getting married, but I think this version wil make him dance again. Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£64.99Highwood Overture - John Tatgenhorst
This exciting overture opens with a fanfare section that emphasizes the brass and is active rhythmically as well as harmonically. A strong, full sound will result from the richly scored chromatic parallel triads. For musicalcontrast, the middle section is quasi-rubato and very lyrical, relying mainly on the woodwinds with low brass added later. The transition back to the original rhythmic fanfare is smoothly written and effectively brings the work toa close. This overture is a fine choice for concert, contest and festival. (Grade 3)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.99
Festive - Bertrand Moren
Bertrand Moren originally composed this march for the brass band Concordia of Bagnes in Switzerland, of which he is the conductor. Festive develops a sparkling and playful melodic line over a strong theme in the low brass section. This version for concert band is full of vitality and will bring a touch of liveliness to any concert. Festive is also suitable for an outdoor performance.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£79.99Hope Arises - James Barnes
Hope Arises is one of two new works requested in 2021 of composer James Barnes by Colonel Donald Schofield, to be written for the United States Air Force Band. It is a short piece intended to be used as an opener for AFB's tour concerts. It opens with a dramatic brass fanfare, based on consecutive perfect fourths first introduced by horns and euphoniums, followed by a short oboe solo. An ascending line in mallets and woodwind provide a rather celestial transition, taking the listener to a lively, melodic allegro, which is based on the same opening fourths. This allegro theme is developed until a return to the opening fanfare is powerfully re-announced in brass. The work concludes quite dramatically, and includes a return of the ascending line in woodwinds, mallets, harp and piano.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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