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£264.99
Diferencias on an Old Spanish Song - Yasuhide Ito
I am immensely happy that my Gloriosa, symphonic poem for band (1990), has been performed by so many bands in the last thirty years.During this period, the growth of the internet has made it much easier to access information.When I composed Gloriosa, I only had limited information about the period when Christianity and Western music was first introduced to Japan, and had to rely a lot on my imagination.However, nowadays, it is easy to obtain various source materials and to read interesting studies on the music of the past.In recent years, the music of Luis de Narvez (born ca.1500 - died between 1555-1560), Spanish composer and vihuela player, has become increasingly known, and several CDs of his music are now available.Narvez composed the earliest-known set of diferencias, a forerunner of the variation form. One of his works is Seys diferencias sobre el himno "O gloriosa domina" [Six diferencias on the hymn "O gloriosa domina"] (1538), based on the Spanish Marian hymn, and it was this melody I used in the first movement of my Gloriosa.Western music has been my musical roots since childhood, and throughout my career as a composer, it has continued to fascinate me. One could say that this has provided the inspiration for Diferencias on an Old Spanish Song, my own take on the diferencias form.Actually, such music from the early sixteenth century could sound fresh to our modern ears. So I decided to quote the melody from Narvez's Sey diferencias at the beginning and end of the piece, in order that people can get the feel for the period.The main section (bars 42-390) is formed of 13 diferencias, similar to the first movement of the Gloriosa.In the middle section, which begins after the eighth diferencia(from bar 187), one should be totally absorbed in the tranquility and the beauty of the music. Although it's in the style of a sarabande, it should be taken slower and played as pianissimo as possible.This is followed by folk-style dance music. (As only standard percussion instruments are used, try to be creative with tonal colours and sense of rhythm).The structure of the work is simple, but be aware of the connection between the sections when constructing the whole.Also, think about the tonality. Overall, the work is in F minor. The main section is basically in D minor, but from bar 102, it modulates to A flat minor and G minor, and then in the middle section it suddenly switches to A flat major (which is the furthest key from D minor, and the relative major of F minor). From bar 219, it modulates to F minor and then to C minor, then back to F minor by way of A minor.N.B. The Oboe II part can be substituted by the English Horn (as indicated in the parts). One can choose according to the player's skills or preference.Recent new compositions for wind band are often full of rhythm, dynamism, and tonal colour, and compositional techniques and orchestration have also evolved greatly. Yet on the other hand, they tend to feature fewer melodic or expressive elements. Since this work is the test piece for WMC Kerkrade 2022, I had to think about what "tests" or "challenges" to set, and I decided to compose something that doesn't involve a lot of technical display, but requires beautiful sounds and harmonies, and above all, musical expressivity. I didn't put many expression markings in the score, because I wanted the performers to think about how best to express this music. If it is played merely as notated, it's not going to sound very interesting.Christianity was introduced to Japan in the mid-16th century, but it was subsequently banned and Japan entered a period of national isolation, which meant that there was hardly any international exchange for two hundred years. As a result, the Christian hymns that were introduced prior to the isolation became almost unrecognizable over the centuries. This was the theme I explored in my Gloriosa thirty years ago.Now, in 2021, the whole world has been forced to "isolate" due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In such times, it seems pertinent that I've written a work using this melody again. I sincerely hope that people will be able to gather in Kerkrade in 2022.(English Translation:Nahoko Gotoh)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99Song of Hope - Jan van der Roost
2011 was a disastrous year for Japan: on March 11 the northeast of the country suffered a violent earthquake, which triggered a huge tsunami and caused massive damage to people and the environment. The ensuing problems with the nuclear reactor atFukushima only increased the misery: a black day in the country's history...One almost inevitable consequence of such dramatic circumstances is the particular damage suffered by the cultural arts. And so it was in Japan: various high school wind orchestras in the effected areas lost their practice rooms and/or instruments.It will take a long time before the damage suffered is repaired - and it will take great effort to overcome the psychological effects, too. Focusing on the latter, Yutada Nishida (director of The Bandwagon radio program) asked a few composers fora simple work that could be played by many orchestras. It just so happened that the Osakan Philharmonic Winds (with whom Jan Van der Roost had conducted a concert exclusively of his own works on September 25th) had had a similar idea. This concert saw the baptism of Song of Hope. This pieceimmediately struck a chord with musicians and audience alike: it begins bleakly in the low register and evolves to a more open, optimistic close. There really is hope for better times!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£39.95
A Starry Night - Score and Parts - Joy Webb
Program NotesJoy Webb's A Starry Night was originally a huge success for The Salvation Army's 1960s pop phenomenon "The Joystrings." The breadth of the song's popularity continues to be a source of amazement to the writer herself, but the attractive simplicity and accessibility of the tune has made it one of the most widely used Christmas songs, particularly in schools and playgroups!Andrew Mackereth, who is the Bandmaster of the Salvation Army band at Nuneaton in Warwickshire and also conductor, composer and arranger for The Salvation Army Symphonic Wind Ensemble, has brought his considerable skills as an arranger and composer for both brand and concert band to this familiar Christmas song and produced an attractive dance-like Calypso-style setting that is already gaining huge popularity in its brass band form.This arrangement for concert band is sure to contribute to the ongoing popularity of this song, and will undoubtedly enhance any concert band's Christmas programme too.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£7.95
A Starry Night - Score only - Joy Webb
Program NotesOne of the most popular Christmas songs to have been written in recent years, Joy Webb's A Starry Night was originally a huge success for The Salvation Army's 1960s pop phenomenon "The Joystrings." The breadth of the song's popularity continues to be a source of amazement to the writer herself, but the attractive simplicity and accessibility of the tune has made it one of the most widely used Christmas songs, particularly in schools and playgroups!Andrew Mackereth, who is the Bandmaster of the Salvation Army band at Nuneaton in Warwickshire and also conductor, composer and arranger for The Salvation Army Symphonic Wind Ensemble, has brought his considerable skills as an arranger and composer for both brand and concert band to this familiar Christmas song and produced an attractive dance-like Calypso-style setting that is already gaining huge popularity in its brass band form.This arrangement for concert band is sure to contribute to the ongoing popularity of this song, and will undoubtedly enhance any concert band's Christmas programme too.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£53.00Variations on a Sailing Song
Variations on A Sailing Song is a vigorous, lively sea chanty that should be played with gusto & enthusiasm. Carl Strommen has composed a set of playable variations on this famous theme that will be perfect to highlight your band's skills at a contest or festival.
Estimated dispatch 12-14 working days
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£69.99Song of Gratitude (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Doss, Thomas
Song of Gratitude was written for an old friend. Many friendships that start off at a young age last for life and thus form a sort of connecting thread throughout one's existence. In this particular work, this notion is mirrored in a short motif that expands more and more and becomes more passionate until it finally settles down in a thankful closing passage. Duration: 4.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99I Say a Little Prayer (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Schaars, Peter Kleine
This bittersweet song from 1967 is a real classic, partly due to the rendition by two queens of soul, Dionne Warwick and later also Aretha Franklin. The theme was very topical at the time: A woman is concerned about her husband fighting in the Vietnam War, and thinks about him during her day-to-day worries. Top arranger Peter Kleine Schaars created a tasteful and carefully orchestrated version. His arrangement stays true to the original colour and feel of the song, and, as a grade 3 piece, is still perfectly playable for most bands. Duration: 2.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£48.95A Yiddish Lullaby (Raisins and Almonds) (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Goldfaden, Abraham - Sheldon, Robert
Raisins and Almonds (Rozhinkes mit Mandlen) is a Jewish lullaby by Abraham Goldfaden (1840-1908) that has become so well-known that it is now considered a folk song. It is a common lullaby among European Jews (Ashkenazim). Correlated to Sound Innovations for Concert Band, Book 2, Level 2, this lovely arrangement of this beautiful song allows bands to play with expression and colour, lending a charming and heartfelt moment to any concert.Duration: 3:30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£53.95Song of a Summer Night (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Jones, Clifton Jameson
Song of a Summer Night evokes the tranquillity of a warm summer night as a breeze from the south stirs the trees. The lyrical melody evolves and transforms throughout the piece until it reaches an unexpected but satisfying conclusion. The well-crafted orchestration provides an opportunity for the clarinets to display the chalumeau register and for percussionists to explore a variety of different colour possibilities.Duration: 4.45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£60.99Song for Hope (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sweeney, Michael
Written as a memorial for a middle school band student, this sensitive and moving work opens with a chorale played by off-stage brass. A flowing melody stated in the low register is then developed before leading to a brief fanfare-like affirmation. The Korean folk song "You and I" is briefly quoted before returning to the off-stage brass and calm closing passage. A beautifully scored lyric piece for band. Extra players are not required for the off-stage parts.Duration: 4:30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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