Results
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£32.95Elgar Variations (Concert Band - Score only) - Ellerby, Martin
The year 2007 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of the British composer Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) and as such I thought it an appropriate moment to write something in tribute to this event. There are quite a few enigmas about this piece and they are all intentional! First and foremost is that the variations are not constructed on any of Elgar's actual themes. Rather I have written a sequence of contrasting sections (all played without a break) on the essence and character of his musical style. I have also written this work with bands, the soloists within, conductors and, not least, their audience firmly in mind. The language is essentially tonal and the test musical rather than overtly technical. There are no tempo indications other than suggested metronome marks. I have deliberately kept things to a minimum as the true test here is to find the style and interpret that aspect over the whole structure. Whereas the faster sections are more or less self explanatory the slower parts require deliberate rubato and much feeling. This is for the conductors to discover and I encourage them to do so. Adjudicators should be fully aware that I sanction this aspect but it requires an insight and understanding to successfully execute so 'any old thing' will not suffice! The 'variation' commencing at rehearsal letter P is the emotional core of the piece and requires a passionate but not saccharine approach to pacing and sensuality. The cadenza type material is built into the process rather than being a separate sequence of entities. There are many allusions to the music of Elgar here without recourse to blatant pastiche - if it is thought of as a series of songs and dances this may help. The final comment is the dedication, after one of Elgar's own but subtly adjusted: to my friend pictured within - never to be revealed - now there's an enigma!- Martin EllerbyDuration: 14.00Recorded on Polyphonic QPRM155D Scenes from Childhood (Great British Music for Wind Band Vol.15), Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£68.00Requiem Aeternam (from Edgar) (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Puccini, Giacomo - De Meij, Johan
Giacomo Puccini was commissioned to write a second opera after the resounding success of his first, Le Villi. However, the original four-act, grand opera Edgar, to a libretto by Ferdinando Fontana, received a rather lukewarm reception at its premiere in La Scala in Milan in 1889. Initially, the work was only performed three times. Of all the planned performances in the subsequent two years, only one took place, in Lucca, Puccini's birthplace. There, the work was well received. Nevertheless, the composer decided to make drastic changes to Edgar the most radical being the reduction of the opera to three acts, as well as altering a few arias, characters and instrumental parts. In its revised form, the work was even less popular than before. The discarded fourth act later provided material for Tosca (the duet Amoro sol' per te), but Puccini never felt the need to defend Edgar as he did other less fortunate operas, such as La Rondine and Suor Angelica. On a piano excerpt for his female friend Sybil Seligman he even corrupted the title to 'E Dio ti Guarda da quest' opera' (may God preserve you from this opera). This did not prevent Arturo Toscanini performing the Requiem from the third act at Puccini's funeral in Milan Cathedral on 3 December 1924. The Requiem in the third act is being played when the long funeral procession carries the alleged body of Edgar, the confused young man hesitating between the love of the virtuous Fidelia and the exotic Tigrana. The mass hails Edgar as a hero, but a monk claims that he has betrayed his country for a few gold pieces. When the soldiers try to desecrate the body, they discover that the armor contains none. The monk reveals himself as Edgar. He wants to leave with his faithful Fidelia, but the vengeful Tigrana stabs him and kills Fidelia. Edgar grieves over the lifeless body of his beloved, while Tigrana is arrested and the people submerge into prayer. Duration: 3.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£44.95Slaidburn (March) (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Rimmer, William - Brand, Michael
For many, Lancastrian William Rimmer is Britain's 'March King.' His marches are wonderful, every one with its own unique personality and form. Like Sousa, he also created and played a vast catalogue of band music ranging from waltzes and solos to great selections from the masters, but it is for his marches that he is remembered today. Slaidburn is a village in the county of Lancashire, England, but was originally part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. Rimmer composer this easy but effective and much-loved march for the village band.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£8.95Slaidburn (March) (Concert Band - Score Only) - Rimmer, William - Brand, Michael
For many, Lancastrian William Rimmer is Britain's 'March King.' His marches are wonderful, every one with its own unique personality and form. Like Sousa, he also created and played a vast catalogue of band music ranging from waltzes and solos to great selections from the masters, but it is for his marches that he is remembered today. Slaidburn is a village in the county of Lancashire, England, but was originally part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. Rimmer composer this easy but effective and much-loved march for the village band.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.99Mexican Holiday (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Whilst making no claims to be stylistically authentic, this little piece aims to capture the infectious spirit of mariachi, a word whose origins are lost in the mists of time, but which describes not only the performers (on guitars, vihuelas, violins, trumpets and harp) but also the music itself. Their music speaks of love, passion, politics, life in the country and revolutionary heroes but is unerringly uplifting in style and immediately recognisable as the spirit of Mexico. A chance to add that Spanish flavour to your concerts.Duration: 1:30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£39.50Chapel Royal (A Simple Chorale) (Concert Band) - Carroll, Fergal
The chorale that forms the basis of this piece is entirely original but attempts modestly to evoke something of the spirit of the great composers of the Tudor age, at once rich but slightly austere, with an occasionally modal feel. There are almost no changes of metre and the marking is Largo, demanding a dignified tempo which lets the music breathe but keeps it moving. Duration: 1:20
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.95Sinfonietta No.1 (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Sinfonietta No.1 was commissioned by the Foundation of Friends of the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy. It was first performed by them in 'De Doelen', Rotterdam on the 13th November 1990 (in a joint concert with the Royal Marines Band from Great Britain) which celebrated the 325th anniversary of the Netherlands Marine Corps and coincided with the 45th anniversary of the band and the 175th anniversary of naval music in the Netherlands.The work is in three, linked movements:I: OvertureSeveral contrasting motivic ideas open the work, but none manage to develop into a theme of any sort. Eventually a short theme appears on clarinet, alto saxophone and horn but it is swept away by runs of triplets from the woodwinds. The theme returns, accompanied by the triplets from the woodwinds. The theme returns, accompanied by the triplets, and this leads to a return of the opening material to close the movement.II: AriaThe second movement opens with violent outbursts from the timpani until a simple, mournful tune is presented by flute and bassoon over a sparse accompaniment by the lower brass. Trumpets introduce a quicker, turbulent central section but this leads back to a brief repeat of the original tune, bringing the movement to a peaceful close.III. ScherzoThe final movement is a fast and furious scherzo which bursts into life with a flurry of notes. The vivacious main (woodwind) theme is first played by the flutes and then by the whole woodwind section. A cornet then takes centre stage with a fanfare-like theme which is then taken up by the brass. A bridge passage then leads to a version of this theme for full band. The original flute tune is then developed until the horns introduce a chorale tune which is taken up by saxes and then full band until the opening material reappears. The woodwind and brass themes are then combined and lead to a forceful version of the chorale which becomes more and more dissonant until the opening of the Overture returns to bring the work to a rousing finish.Recorded on QPRM134D THE KINGS GO FORTH, Central Band of the Royal Air Force
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£27.95Sinfonietta No.1 (Concert Band - Score only) - Sparke, Philip
Sinfonietta No.1 was commissioned by the Foundation of Friends of the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy. It was first performed by them in 'De Doelen', Rotterdam on the 13th November 1990 (in a joint concert with the Royal Marines Band from Great Britain) which celebrated the 325th anniversary of the Netherlands Marine Corps and coincided with the 45th anniversary of the band and the 175th anniversary of naval music in the Netherlands.The work is in three, linked movements:I: OvertureSeveral contrasting motivic ideas open the work, but none manage to develop into a theme of any sort. Eventually a short theme appears on clarinet, alto saxophone and horn but it is swept away by runs of triplets from the woodwinds. The theme returns, accompanied by the triplets from the woodwinds. The theme returns, accompanied by the triplets, and this leads to a return of the opening material to close the movement.II: AriaThe second movement opens with violent outbursts from the timpani until a simple, mournful tune is presented by flute and bassoon over a sparse accompaniment by the lower brass. Trumpets introduce a quicker, turbulent central section but this leads back to a brief repeat of the original tune, bringing the movement to a peaceful close.III. ScherzoThe final movement is a fast and furious scherzo which bursts into life with a flurry of notes. The vivacious main (woodwind) theme is first played by the flutes and then by the whole woodwind section. A cornet then takes centre stage with a fanfare-like theme which is then taken up by the brass. A bridge passage then leads to a version of this theme for full band. The original flute tune is then developed until the horns introduce a chorale tune which is taken up by saxes and then full band until the opening material reappears. The woodwind and brass themes are then combined and lead to a forceful version of the chorale which becomes more and more dissonant until the opening of the Overture returns to bring the work to a rousing finish.Recorded on QPRM134D THE KINGS GO FORTH, Central Band of the Royal Air Force
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£164.95Euphonium Concerto (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Ellerby, Martin
This Euphonium Concerto was written between late 1994 and early 1995 in response to a commission from Steven Mead to whom the work is dedicated. It is cast in four movements and lasts a little over 22 mins:I. Fantasy: After the briefest of introductions, the solo euphonium enters with the key melodic phrase of the movement in a fast 'Tempo I'. This idea is developed up to the point where a slower 'Tempo II' breaks the argument - here the mood is reflective but it is only to be a brief interruption as 'Tempo I' returns very quickly. The opening material is then subjected to further transformation with 'Tempo II' making occasional returns en route, the distances between the contrasting tempi becoming ever closer, and the movement closes in a rather soft though definite manner.II. Capriccio: This relatively short presto movement forms a bridge between the first movement and the work's slow movement. The majority of the band parts are bright and muted with the percussion players enhancing the texture with contributions from xylophone, glockenspiel and vibraphone. Again the initial solo euphonium phrase provides the basis for almost all the movement's material. This is extremely virtuosic for the soloist and band alike and makes great play of the rhythmic possibilities of combining simple and compound music either in close proximity or together.III. Rhapsody (for Luis): A Lento movement, sitting between two different but essentially rapid ones, this provides the work's emotional core exploiting the soloist's cantabile qualities in an almost seamless fashion. Again, as will all the work's movements, the initial idea paves the way for subsequent development, eventually culminating in a passionate climax; thereafter it winds down with an affectionate backward glance towards the close of the the slow movement of the Euphonium Concerto of Joseph Horovitz, whose mark had been made indelibly on the euphonium repertoire. This movement is dedicated to Luis Maldonado who set the full score of the brass version before his untimely death.IV. Diversions: The work's variation finale is cast in 3/4 throughout though the barline is often a guideline and was seen by the composer as a challenge of metrical restraint! There is an obvious jazz feel to this movement (both rhythmically and harmonically) with a swaggering ritornello theme first announced by the solo euphonium. Thereafter follows a series of interludes and 'adjusted' returns of the main theme. A lyrical idea is allowed to enter but the underlying momentum is ever present. The band also contributes to the interludes and eventually the tempo increases towards a 'wild' and absolute conclusion.Duration: 22.30Recorded on QPRM143D Dreamscapes, Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£32.95Euphonium Concerto (Concert Band - Score only) - Ellerby, Martin
This Euphonium Concerto was written between late 1994 and early 1995 in response to a commission from Steven Mead to whom the work is dedicated. It is cast in four movements and lasts a little over 22 mins:I. Fantasy: After the briefest of introductions, the solo euphonium enters with the key melodic phrase of the movement in a fast 'Tempo I'. This idea is developed up to the point where a slower 'Tempo II' breaks the argument - here the mood is reflective but it is only to be a brief interruption as 'Tempo I' returns very quickly. The opening material is then subjected to further transformation with 'Tempo II' making occasional returns en route, the distances between the contrasting tempi becoming ever closer, and the movement closes in a rather soft though definite manner.II. Capriccio: This relatively short presto movement forms a bridge between the first movement and the work's slow movement. The majority of the band parts are bright and muted with the percussion players enhancing the texture with contributions from xylophone, glockenspiel and vibraphone. Again the initial solo euphonium phrase provides the basis for almost all the movement's material. This is extremely virtuosic for the soloist and band alike and makes great play of the rhythmic possibilities of combining simple and compound music either in close proximity or together.III. Rhapsody (for Luis): A Lento movement, sitting between two different but essentially rapid ones, this provides the work's emotional core exploiting the soloist's cantabile qualities in an almost seamless fashion. Again, as will all the work's movements, the initial idea paves the way for subsequent development, eventually culminating in a passionate climax; thereafter it winds down with an affectionate backward glance towards the close of the the slow movement of the Euphonium Concerto of Joseph Horovitz, whose mark had been made indelibly on the euphonium repertoire. This movement is dedicated to Luis Maldonado who set the full score of the brass version before his untimely death.IV. Diversions: The work's variation finale is cast in 3/4 throughout though the barline is often a guideline and was seen by the composer as a challenge of metrical restraint! There is an obvious jazz feel to this movement (both rhythmically and harmonically) with a swaggering ritornello theme first announced by the solo euphonium. Thereafter follows a series of interludes and 'adjusted' returns of the main theme. A lyrical idea is allowed to enter but the underlying momentum is ever present. The band also contributes to the interludes and eventually the tempo increases towards a 'wild' and absolute conclusion.Duration: 22.30Recorded on QPRM143D Dreamscapes, Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
