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£113.30Moderate Dances - Angelo Sormani
This piece is a tribute to dance music, especially passionate, intense and meditative dance music. "Moderate Dances" is divided into three movements: a "Tango", a "Slow Waltz" and a "Bossa Nova". Each movement and each dance has its own particular characteristics but, when combined, these different rhythmic beats and times give the piece a feeling of completeness and uniformity. The Tango started to flourish in the suburbs of Buenos Aires in around 1880. There is still some doubt as to its origins, which may be Cuban (Habanera) but are probably African. It was most popular in Argentina and Brazil: here the male protagonist was originally the "gaucho" with his inseparable guitar, later to be replaced by the proud, elegant "compadre". By around 1910 the Tango had spread to Italy and France. New clubs opened, where the upper classes could watch and dance the Tango. Here the dance also underwent some rapid transformations. The exaggerated and extravagant gestures and body movements disappeared. Slow, gliding steps replaced the old rotational movements. The women's red ankle-boots and the partners "staring into each other's eyes" accentuated the erotic nature and sensuality of this dance. So much so that, in 1913, the German government banned soldiers from dancing the Tango. Those who broke the law were immediately discharged from the army. From a strictly musical perspective, the basic instruments were a flute, a harp (the diatonic harp typically played by the Indians of Paraguay) and a violin, or flute, guitar and violin or even clarinet, guitar and violin. These instruments were easy to transport, ideal for playing at parties, in the streets and in courtyards. The musicians played by ear, frequently improvising: there were no scores, no records, which is the main reason why it is impossible to trace the Tango back to its exact origins. However, the Tango's evolution (and growing popularity) was once again fostered by its fundamental ability to absorb "other" cultures, languages and sounds. And it was the arrival of the "bandoneon" (an accordion-like instrument that was invented in Germany and brought to Rio de la Plata by some immigrant), which replaced the flute, that marked the beginning of the Tango's huge success outside Argentina. A number of talented composers, above all the great Astor Piazzola (1921-1992), transformed the bandoneon from a simple accompanying instrument to a solo instrument that was to become the distinguishing feature of the 20th century Tango. The Slow Waltz originated from the Waltz, the typical dance of the Bavarian and Tyrolese peasants in the 1700s. It was composers like Johann Strauss, father and son, who carried the Waltz to its zenith in the 1800s, creating the sensual and melancholy yet joyful and charming dance we are all familiar with. When the Waltz first became popular in Germany, the members of respectable society were shocked at the closeness of the dancing partners, who had always previously danced apart. The main difference between the Waltz and Slow Waltz is that the latter has a slower, more expressive rhythm: the men wear tails and the women wear ball gowns decorated with beads and feathers and couples dance in graceful rotational movements. "Bossa Nova" is the title of the last movement in the piece. Jobim, the great Brazilian musician, described this musical genre as a combination of modern Jazz and Samba. Bossa Nova means "new wave". This was the name of the artistic and musical movement that evolved in Brazil in the late Fifties and was extremely popular throughout the Sixties. The songs are usually about love or social matters, drawing inspiration from the slums of Rio De Janeiro and the lives of their inhabitants. Bossa Nova, with its original compositions and the artistic talent of its musicians, also became hugely popular in the United States and Europe, and top Jazz musicians (Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Bob Cooper, Charlie Bird, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Dizzy Gillespie) started to include Bossa in their repertoires.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£109.50Three London Sketches - David Campo
London is one of my favorite cities in the world, and in 2016 I was invited there to serve as an adjudicator for the London New Year's Day Parade and Gala Concerts. While I was there, I was fortunate to meet and spend time with The Lord Mayor of Westminster Councillor Steve Summers. While his title sounds formidable and intimidating, I found Steve to one of the nicest, most easygoing people I've ever met. And boy, does he love London! He was fond of saying that he had "the best job in the greatest city in the world." He spoke passionately about London and his favorite places in the city, and his enthusiasm was contagious. Some of his favorite places became some of my favorite places, and the inspiration for this piece. I hope that this work not only conveys the beauty and history of these iconic places, but Steve's deep and abiding love for them as well. I. Tower Bridge - The Tower Bridge was built over 120 years ago to ease road traffic while maintaining river access to the busy Pool of London docks. Its giant moveable roadways lift up for passing ships, making it a true engineering marvel. It is also one of the most iconic sites in London, and was used to display the Olympic Rings during the 2012 Olympics. II. St. Paul's (The Whispering Gallery) - The history of St. Paul's Cathedral goes back well over a thousand years, but construction on the current St. Paul's began in 1669 after a fire destroyed the earlier structure. The dome of St. Paul's Cathedral is a whispering gallery; you can whisper against the wall on the inside of the dome and it can be clearly heard on the other side of the dome over 100 ft. away. Imagine the secrets that have passed there... III. Trafalgar Square - The name commemorates the 1805 naval Battle of Trafalgar and is marked by Nelson's Column, a monument to Admiral Horatio Nelson, the hero of the Battle of Trafalgar. It is the heart of London; full of life and constant energy and home to iconic buildings including the National Gallery, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Canada House and South Africa House. Londoners say that all roads in London lead to Trafalgar Square.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£78.95Perseus Returns - Blake Buehler
Join the Greek hero Perseus as he completes his impossible quest to behead a monstress and save his mother in this march for grade 3 concert band. Perseus, the son of Zeus and Danae, was raised as a hero to protect his mother from King Polydectes. To be rid of Perseus, Polydectes sent him on an impossible quest to bring back the head of Medusa, the mortal Gorgon who could turn people to stone with her gaze. Taking pity on him, the gods gifted Perseus winged sandals to fly, a helmet of invisibility, and a bronze shield. He found Medusa in her cave and, using the shield as a mirror to avoid her deadly gaze, cut off her head. Perseus then escaped Medusa's vengeful sisters, donning the helmet of invisibility and winged sandals. As Perseus flew home, drops of Medusa's blood fell to the earth creating the coral in the red sea and the many-colored snakes in Libya. When Perseus returned, he used Medusa's head to turn Polydectes to stone and free his mother from her imprisonment. He then presented the head to his divine protector Athena, who placed it in the center of her shield.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99Prelude and Polonaise - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) composed his opera The Night before Christmas in 1894-95. The premiere took place on December 10 1895 in St. Petersburg. The libretto to the opera came from Rimsky-Korsakov himself and is based on a tale by Nikolai Gogol, which some years earlier had already served as operatic material for Pjotr Tchaikovsky. The opera tells the story of Vakula, the blacksmith of a small Ukranian village. He is madly in love with Oxana who demands - as proof of his love - a most unusual Christmas present: the magnificent slippers of the Empress. Knowing full well that, in normal circumstances, he would never be able to fulfil Oxana's wish, Vakula seekssupernatural assistance and finds it in the shape of the devil, who comes up with a ploy to help him. The devil carries him on his back to St. Petersburg, where during a lavish reception at court Vakula finds an opportunity to present his request to the empress. The Empress actually agrees to Vakula's wish and hands over her slippers to him. Thereupon he returns to his own village. Here, in the meantime, he had been given up for dead, and Oxana had been plunged into great sorrow as she had come to realise that she also truly loved Vakula. In the end, however, all misunderstandings are resolved and all adversities overcome: Oxana receives her extravagant present, the lovers are united, and the church bells call the villagers to the Christmas service.The vibrant Polonaise is played in the 3rd act of the opera at the entrance of the Empress, whose appearance is anticipated in the prelude by the fanfare motives. The music paints a vivid picture of the party atmosphere and the marvellous dcor at the imperial court of St. Petersburg, which Rimsky-Korsakov conjures up in his opera and which can also be played outside of the Advent and Christmas season, for example as an opening piece to any festive concert.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£139.99Pacific Dreams - Jacob de Haan
Pacific Dreams describes the experience of Miguel, a traveling composer from Spain who, feeling somewhat alienated from his homeland, is wandering through an area of Sydney known as The Rocks. At a small outdoor market in a typical street of this oldcolonial neighbourhood, he discovers a print of William DeShazos painting "Pacific Dreams" Portrayed in the painting is the surf of one of the exotic islands in the Pacific. Next, with the impressive Sydney Harbour Bridge looming over the narrowstreets of The Rocks, he envisions sultry Pacific beaches. Suddenly a theme he once composed about the lakes in Japan comes to him. Is it the Asian influences present in cosmopolitan Sydney that bring this theme to mind? Or perhaps the waters aroundSydney, over which he could sail to Tahiti? He is uncertain. Could this same theme be used to create a new composition about his feelings for the metropolis Sydney? How then to work his Pacific Dreams into the mix? Miguel is certainly no fan ofHawaiian music. Mayby he could use the vocabularies of islands like Hawaii and Tahiti, their beautiful vowel combinations being sung ad libitum by a mixed choir.With these ideas and his newly purchased print of "Pacific Dreams", he boards the Metroat Circular Quay. He has a final glimpse of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House as the train races into the ground. On to the hotel! To work! He must compose!Maestoso : Miguel is impressed as he gazes upon the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And yet, hewants to go away from this city. Away, to an exotic island in the Pacific.Steady Rock : In the Rocks, musicians are playing at a square. Miguel basks in the atmosphere but at the same time he is fantasizing about Hawaii and Tahiti.Andante Lamentoso :In his hotel room, Miguel is feeling sad and lonely in this big city. He takes comfort in his "Pacific Dreams".Allegro : Miguel boards the boat that takes him from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay. In his mind he is traveling on to Hawaii. Or is ithome, where the bolero is playing? He is pulled back to reality by the skyline of Sydney.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£149.99Columbus - Rob Goorhuis
Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451. His father was a wool merchant. Originally he seemed destined to follow in his father's footsteps, and thus sailed the oceans to countries as far apart as Iceland and Guinea. In 1476 his ship was sunk during a battle off the coast of Portugal. Columbus saved his own life by swimming to shore. In 1484 he conceived the idea of sailing to the Indies via a westward sea route, but it was only in 1492 that he was able to realize this plan. On this first voyage he was in command of three ships: the flag-ship, called the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Ni?a. From Spain Columbus sailed via the Canary Islands to the Bahamas, whichhe sighted on October 12th 1492. Without being aware of it Columbus discovered the 'New World' he thought he had landed in the eastern part of Asia. The motif from Dvok's 9th Symphony 'Aus der neuen Welt' forms a little counterfeit history at this point in the composition. After this first voyage Columbus was to undertake another three long voyages to America. These voyages were certainly not entirely devoid of misfortune. More than once he was faced with shipwreck, mutiny and the destruction of settlements he had founded. After Columbus had left for Spain from Rio Belen in 1503, he beached his ships on the coast of Jamaica. The crew were marooned there and it was only after a year that Columbus succeeded in saving his men and sailing back to Spain with them. In the music the misunderstanding about which continent Columbus discovered in his lifetime resounds, for does this part in the composition not contain Asiatic motifs? Poor Columbus! In 1506 the famous explorer died in Valladolid.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£74.99Fanfare for an Occasion (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Fanfare for an Occasion was written to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of Anglo Music Press, the publishing company dedicated to the works of British composer, Philip Sparke. It is a bright and festive work in which the main theme starts on the tenor instruments of the band before appearing as canonical imitation by all sections in turn. A short, repeated bridge passage leads to a second theme on the saxes that is taken up by the full band and leads back to a return of the main theme and a repeat of the second subject, which brings the fanfare to a brilliant close. Duration: 2.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£75.00Masters inTthis Hall (Concert Band with Optional Choir - Score and Parts) - Noble & Willcocks
Masters in This Hall (alternative title: Nowell, Sing We Clear) is a Christmas carol with words written around 1860 by the English poet and artist William Morris to an old French dance tune. It is said to have a sixteenth-century feel, harking back to a simpler society, in line with Morris's own romanticism. It also has elements of Morris's socialist beliefs, with the poor bringing news of Christ's birth to the Masters in this Hall and a warning to the proud. The carol describes a poor man, emphasized by his rural dialect, drawing his master's attention to the birth of Christ by describing how he had met shepherds travelling to Bethlehem in solemn mood where, joining them, he had seen the Christ child in his mother's arms. The chorus repeats how the birth of Christ has raised up the poor and cast down the proud. This represents one of the Series of Band Arrangements compatible with David Willcocks' Carols for Choirs.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£152.99Centennial Salute (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Just based on its title, this piece has to be celebratory and up-beat, which it is! It opens with a stately fanfare, first played on the low brass before the entire band joins in. This gives way to a contrasting lyrical theme which develops until it joins up with the fanfare to complete the opening section. A lively and heavily syncopated vivo follows, cast as a traditional march, complete with a 'bass strain' and trio. After the original march theme returns, a climax leads back to a reprise of the majestic opening, which brings the piece to an appropriately triumphant close.Duration: 7:30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.99Infinity and Beyond... (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
The last decades of the 20th century saw man's first steps in space exploration. Since the first moon landing by Neil Armstrong in 1969, these adventures in outer space have captured the public's imagination and have given birth to scores of science fiction movies, books and TV series that have tackled the subject. Infinity and Beyond... takes as its inspiration the wonderful film scores of composers such as John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, who have almost invented a style which could be called 'space music'.Opening with a rhythmic bass figure, Infinity and Beyond... begins with a robust introduction in 3/4, which leads to the main theme in 4/4, played by the full band. A short bridge passage, utilising the interval of a fourth, leads to a modal central section, featuring first the trumpets and then played by the whole band; this in turn leads back to a repeat of the introduction until the main theme returns to bring the piece to a close.Duration: 3:00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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