Results
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£124.99Resurgence - Philip Sparke
Resurgence was commissioned by Nishiusuki Kyoiku Shinko Rengokai to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2023. The commissioners are a non-profit organization for educational promotion in Japan and have founded a concert band, who gave the premiere at their anniversary concert. The piece opens with a flourish which leads to a martial theme in the brass, but this quickly subsides to introduce a chorale in the lower brass. After reaching a climax, the work slowly builds to the main vivo section. Here the opening fanfare is repeated, but instead leads to a dance-like tune in the clarinets. This is taken up by the full band and develops until the saxes change key with a legato melody. Following a repeat on trumpet, the chorale from the introduction briefly reappears to herald a recapitulation, which drives to a short coda, where hints of the opening martial theme bring the work to a triumphal close.
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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£106.99Pacific Overture - Philip Sparke
This effervescent overture has it all: majestic fanfare sounds, melodious passages and lively figurations. The main theme has the atmosphere of a sea shanty - the work is called Pacific Overture for a reason! Turbulent waters and peaceful bays alternate until the vibrant fanfare from the beginning rounds the work off brilliantly.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£106.99Fair Field Festival - Philip Sparke
Fair Field Festival opens with a brass fanfare under florid woodwind figuration. A noble chorale leads to a lively allegro vivo, which centres around a majestic horn and euphonium melody under chattering woodwinds. A second theme is first stated by trumpets and this leads to a central legato theme on horns and saxes, repeated by the trumpets. A brief allusion to the opening section leads to a full recapitulation and an energetic coda. A work filled with vitality!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£179.99The Planetarium - Philip Sparke
The Planetarium was commissioned by CMV Advendo Franeker to celebrate their 100th Anniversary in 2022. The inspiration for the work is the world-famous Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium in the orchestra's home town of Franeker in the Netherlands. In this continuous seven-movement work, the composer pictures the sun as well as the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Also featured throughout the work is a brief quotation from the chorale 'Psalm 150'. A work that rises above the mundane!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£119.99Tango for Joe - Philip Sparke
Tango for Joe explores the lyrical properties of the trombone. A long introduction builds to the first entry of the soloist, who plays the main tango melody over a rhythmic accompaniment. In this work, the band and solo trombone parts alternate. A cadenza-like passage leads to a faster 'tango nuevo', which makes up the majority of the work. After a climax and extended cadenza by the trombone, the piece ends with a flourish for concert band and soloist.
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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£110.99Hymn at Twilight - Philip Sparke
Although specifically describing the uncertainty of approaching night and an evening prayer, Hymn at Twilight is actually about the human emotions of doubt, insecurity, hope and resolve. This solemn piece opens quietly and introduces a recurring four-note rising figure. Optimism, anxiety and resignation alternate, with the flute taking centre stage. Brass and woodwind take up the chorale. The piece ends in a mood of sanguine optimism.
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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