Results
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£176.50Masquerade - Philip Sparke
MASQUERADE was commissioned by Stadtmusik Willisau from Switzerland (Reto Gdel, conductor) to celebrate their 175th anniversary in 2003 and first performed by them in November that year. 1. OvertureThe first movement opens with a fanfare-like figure, featuring the brass, before the main them is introduced over staccato chords. After a short, syncopated interlude a legato theme is introduced in the tenor register and material is developed until the music slows temporarily. The opening theme returns and the 'tenor' tune is taken up by the whole band until the opening fanfare returns to close the movement. 2. ElegyThe slow movement opens intensely with a bare two-part theme, whichleads to a passionate chorale-style melody. A second theme is introduced and leads to a climax, a return of the chorale theme and a pianissimo repeat which again leads to a full-band climax. The two-part theme returns quietly to create a peaceful close. 3 InterludeA short movement which changes the mood to introduce:- 4 FinaleThree violent chords preface a lively syncopated opening theme. The trumpets introduce a second idea, which is treated fugally, and this in turn leads to the main melodic idea of the movement, over staccato chords. A contrasting subject is then introduced in the middle of the band, followed by echoes of the first movement fanfare. The opening theme returns and material is revisited until the opening fanfare returns in full to end the work triumphantly.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£184.99
Il Cantico - Oliver Waespi
Commissioned by the Stadtharmonie Zurich Oerlikon-Seebach for the 2005 WASBE Conference in Singapore"Il Cantico" was inspired by the poem "Cantico di Frate Sole" (Canticle of Brother Sun) by St. Francis of Assisi. In this famous mystic poem, St. Francis expresses his gratitude to God for the creation of nature, the sun, the earth and the living beings."Il Cantico" is based on specific parts of St. Francis's poem. A slow, dreamlike song in the flute leads gradually to the appearance of the sun, the light energy of which is expressed by radiant, powerful music in the brass instruments. The next, slower part of the work is dedicated to the moon (sora luna), a sort of mirror of thesun, and to the stars (le stelle). The music becomes more thoughtful, leads to a calm sound field in the woodwinds and later to a mystic horn solo. Still during the slow part, several chord fragments flash up, thereby announcing the fast ultimate part of the work. This part is about the fire (frate focu) illuminating the night, some sort of representative of the sun on earth. Towards the end of the work, the sun theme is combined with the fire theme.Besides these images, a purely musical structure guides the development of Il Cantico. Almost the entire piece evolves from a basic four-tone cell which appears in the horns and flute at the beginning. Consequently, the work is mainly monothematic and structured in the form of a metamorphosis. The basic cell gradually leads to a rich melodic and harmonic development. This basic material is later completed by a new chord series belonging to the fire theme. In the conclusion both approaches are combined.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£75.00Sonata - Derek Bourgeois
This work, composed in 1998, was commissioned by the American trombonist Don Lucas as a work for trombone and piano and first performed by him in Birmingham on 19th May 2000. Subsequently, I arranged the music for both solo trombone and brass band and solo trombone and wind band so that it now exists in three formats. The first movement, in B flat major, is brisk and energetic, and is cast in sonata form. The second subject is gentler and more lyrical. The second movement, a scherzo in C major, is the most complex of the four. Basically the structure is a rond. For a long time the music remains in the opening 5/8 time until a new theme introduces more broken rhythms in a more jazzy idiom. After a return of the opening theme the following episode is more tonally ambiguous. Finally, the main theme returns to round off the movement. The third movement, a lyrical adagio, is really one long extended melodic flow. The harmonies are lush and the textures simple and direct. The tonal center is A minor, but the music meanders through so many keys, that this key centre is heavily disguised. The finale is a fiery affair. G minor is really its home key, but throughout the movement the music moves about a lot and the second subject is first heard in A flat minor. The movement's underlying sonata structure is masked not only by its loose tonality but also by its frequently changing time signatures. Like the first movement the second subject is more lyrical in nature and for a while it seems that the music will end peacefully, but a final flurry heralds a triple forte unison on the home note of the first movement - B flat. Derek Bourgeois
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£149.99Jericho - Bert Appermont
Jericho is the musical translation of the well-known story from the book of Joshua about the capture of the city of Jericho by the Israelites.Part 1 depicts the cruel journey through the desert to Canaan, the promised land. An emotional lamentation for the yearning for a home, for the end of a roaming existence.The capture of Jericho is the theme of part 2. The city cannot be captured immediately and Jehovah orders an impressive army to march around the city for six days. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times and the priests blew their trumpets and the people cried so loud that the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The Jews stormed the city and drove theinhabitants away. The music clearly reveals the marching army and you can hear the walls falling down with a tremendous noise. However, there is quite some artistic freedom in the actual story.A majestic and grand melody subsequently evokes the triumphant emotions that emerged as the fortified city fell (part 3).Following a personal and romantic interpretation, the scene ultimately ends in a typical Jewish feast (part 4) whereby the virtuosity of melodies played by the woodwinds and the passionate rhythms refer to traditional Jewish music. All themes are repeated in this last part in various forms, often simultaneous and in duelling counterpoint. The piece ends with fragments from the main theme of part 1 in major: peace and quiet return at last.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£143.00Psych et ros - César Franck
Csar Franck, composer, pianist, organist and music teacher, completed Cupid and Psych, his sixth and last symphonic poem in 1887. It was first performed in Paris in 1888 and was a complete success, but the piece later fell completely into oblivion, and it was only thanks to some meticulous research that it has returned to concert halls. The intricate love affair between Psyche and Cupid is an original story of the Metamorphoseswritten in the 2nd century AD by Apuleius. The tale is about overcoming obstacles in love and their final union. The symphonic poem is divided into three parts and calls for a choir. The movement that is the subject of this arrangement, Psych et rosis positioned at the end of the second part.Franco Cesarini's version for wind orchestra carefully illustrates the nuances of the instrumental colours, and represents a real test aimed at demonstrating the musicality and interpretative skills of orchestras and their conductors.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99Solemnitas - Jan Van der Roost
This short but solemn overture was written on the occasion of the 110th jubilee of Harmonie Hautcharage, Luxembourg. It is an homage to Jean-Paul Frisch and his son Grard (the present conductor), who each have been conducting the ensemble for many years. Under their leadership, the band has developed and improved remarkably. The very first musical theme, presented during the introduction of this little overture, is based on the letters hidden in the names Jean-Paul and Grard Frisch (in which h is considered b - as it is in German), thus aiming the spotlight on both key figures in the history of Harmonie Hautcharage. After the rather stately intro, the allegro is more joyful and lighthearted, thus depicting the optimism of the many young players of the band. The end is exciting and energetic: it radiates positivity and belief in the future.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.70Mammoth Mountain Suite - Haakon Esplo
Mammoths were a family of elephants that, with one exception, died out at the end of the last ice age. Their closest living relative is the Asian elephant. In many places in the world one can find mammoth remains. In Norway (especially in Gudbrandsdalen), 20 discoveries of teeth and skeletal remains have been made after mammoths that lived here between 40,000 and 50,000 years ago. On cave paintings and carvings you can see many pictures of mammoths with other animals. Pictures of killed mammoths have also been found with humans. Mammoth Moutain Suite describes a bunch of hunters looking for mammoths. Imagine the majestic animals, what it felt like to see the herd in themountains and what it sounded like when the 6 ton heavy and 3.5 meter tall mammoths were on the run.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£60.99Sumba Samba - Ron Gilmore
The Samba is a Latin American dance, which is mostly associated with parties, as a result of the fast tempo in which it is usually played. 'Sumba Samba' forms an exception to this rule. In order to get this samba to swing it is important to stick to the tempo prescribed. 'Sumba Samba' starts with a motif which will play an important role throughout the piece. This motif can be heard in the first notes of the 'refrain' and, as said before, has been used in the introduction, as well as in the transition after the middle part (letter G). Furthermore, it plays an important role in the middle part itself (letter E), in which the samba has momentarily disappeared and acompletely different atmosphere has been created. At letter H we pick up where we left off with the samba and swing to the end of this composition.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99Variations on Shalom Chaverim - Andreas Ludwig Schulte
Shalom Chaverim is an ancient Hebrew (farewell)song, which was originally sung at the end of a celebration or meeting. It was and is mostly sung as a round. Freely translated the words mean "Goodbye, friends, goodbye and see you again!". The varying moods at a parting have been captured very well by Andreas Schulte in his arrangement 'Variations on Shalom Chaverim'. The composer himself says about the song, 'Although the melody is in a minor key, the overall atmosphere in the song is positive. one wishes each other all the best. Saying goodbye, however, also hurts. When you slow down the pace of the melody and add 'blue notes' in the harmonies, this can be sensed immediately.'Schulte refers here to the first variation. The second variation is very intense with possibly even deeper-felt emotions. 'Variations on Shalom Chaverim' ends on a cheerful and positive note, in fast tempo, and with oriental elements in the melody: 'L'hitra'ot, Shalom' (See you again, and farewell!).
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£51.60Sakura Variations - Kees Vlak
The blooming of the cherry trees each spring is a great event in Japan. In the evening friends meet under the pink and white cherry blossoms for a picnic. It is a striking sight, especially in big cities. Vendors sell Japanese food, entertainers andclowns perform, and the typically cautious Japanese seem to be more relaxed during the cherry blossom, or "Sakura". Kees Vlak captured this atmosphere with his "Sakura Variation"; its theme employs a subtle drum rhythm. The first variation is titled"clowns" and opens with three bass drum strikes. The theme appears in 3/4 time and is repeated several times with surprising changes. An impetuous tempo with dissonant elements suggests a clown's mischievous behaviour. The second variation in a minormode sounds very sad and dramatic. Is this the sadness when thinking of the end of the cherry blossom, as all the petals "snow" down from the trees? The cherry trees will bloom again next year, so the finale celebrates a joyful "Sakura".
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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