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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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£67.99Dances Fantastique - David Shaffer
This exciting work for concert band is a set of three delightful dances. Opening with a bold fanfare statement, the first dance reveals the melodic material that is the basis for all three movements. The title of this movement, Double Dance, is derived from the second statement of the melody, appearing in doubled rhythmic values. The second movement, Round Dance, the melody is written as a three part round. You could not have a Round Dance without a Square Dance, which is the title of final movement. Lots of fun percussion instruments add interesting timbres throughout. This interesting and clever composition is perfect for contest and festival.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£115.00BOHEMIAN DANCES (Concert Band) - Woolfenden, Guy
Includes:1. Shepherds and Shepherdesses2. Florizel and Perdita3. Dance of the SatyrsOne of my favourite Shakespeare plays is The Winter's Tale, and I have written music for three completely different productions during my time as Head of Music to the Royal Shakespeare Company. One, starring Judi Dench as both the mother, Hermione and her daughter, Perdita, had a big band Tribal Love-Rock score; another had a more classical, but timeless feel to it, and the last was an excellent small-scale touring production, for which I was allowed only a handful of instruments. It is from this source that the basic themes for Bohemian Dances, and an earlier version Three Dances for Clarinet Choir, have emerged. Act IV of the play is set in the kingdom of Bohemia - hence the title of the work.Shakespeare calls for "A Dance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses", which gives Florizel, the son of Polixenes, (King of Bohemia) a chance to become better acquainted with the beautiful Perdita, the lost daughter of Leontes, (King of Sicilia). This movement is written in seemingly tricky and ever-changing metres, but is rhythmically quite logical and melodically catchy.The slower second movement 'Florizel and Perdita' is the lovers' pas de deux: a gentle, slow waltz-like tune, initially presented by the principal oboe, is contrasted with a lndler-like double time melody, at the end of which a solo clarinet makes a link to the last movement.'Dance of the Satyrs' is a rip-roaring, foot-stamping dance performed in the play by 'three carters, three shepherds, three neat-herds, and three swine-herds', who enter in outrageous costumes representing the lecherous half-man, half-goat of Greek mythology. This dance is referred to as a "gallimaufry of gambols" - now where have I heard that word before?! - GW
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£53.46Dances Fantastique
This exciting new work for concert band is a set of three delightful dances. Opening with a bold fanfare statement, the first dance reveals the melodic material that is the basis for all three movements. The title of this movement, Double Dance, is derived from the second statement of the melody, appearing in doubled rhythmic values. The second movement, Round Dance, the melody is written as a three part round. You could not have a Round Dance without a Square Dance, which is the title of final movement. Lots of fun percussion instruments add interesting timbres throughout. This interesting and clever composition is perfect for contest and festival.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£159.00Greek Folk Song Suite No. 2 - Franco Cesarini
After the great success of the Greek Folk Song Suite that has lasted for over twenty years, Franco Cesarini once again ventures into the long and rich tradition of Greek folk music. In his Greek Folk Song Suite No. 2, the three movements that form the piece are named after the three dances reworked by the composer.The first movement, Samiotissa is a kalamatianos, whose most distinctive feature is the irregular 7/8-time signature. It is a festive dance, today considered the Greek national dance, which has roots dating back to antiquity.The second movement, Kato sto jalo is a zeibekiko, a slow-paced dance performed by only one man at a time which was apparently originated among the warriors of Ancient Anatolia.The third and last movement, Chasaposerviko, is the fast part of the hasapiko dance and is characterized by its more extensive form.A new journey into the Greek folk tradition that will delight both performers and audience.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£174.99The Graces of Love - Oliver Waespi
"The Graces of Love" (Le Gratie d'Amore) is the title of a book published in 1602 by Cesare Negri, the famous dance master of the Milanese court in the Renaissance. It contains numerous dance tunes and precise descriptions of courtly dances. It also includes the tune 'Il bianco fior' (The White Flower) on which the first movement of Oliver Waespi's piece is based. A vigorous dance in three-four, it leads to an acceleration and a sudden shift to an even meter towards the end. The second movement, calm and contemplative in character, features the tune 'Vaghe bellezze ...' (Veiled Beauty ...). Widely spaced melodic parts surround two solos during which the tune is varied anddeveloped. Finally, the third movement contains a Saltarello based on a tune by Vincenzo Galilei, the father of the famous astronomer, Galileo Galilei. It brings the work to a close with a hypnotic rhythm which is noble and virtuosic at the same time.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£174.99The Graces of Love (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Waespi, Oliver
The Graces of Love (Le Gratie d'Amore) is the title of a book published in 1602 by Cesare Negri, the famous dance master of the Milan court in the Renaissance. It contains numerous dance tunes and precise descriptions of courtly dances. It also includes the tune Il bianco fior (The White Flower) on which the first movement of my piece is based. A vigorous dance in three-four, it leads to an acceleration and a sudden shift to an even meter towards the end. The second movement, calm and contemplative in character, features the tune Vaghe bellezze... (Veiled Beauty...). Widely spaced melodic parts surround two solos during which the tune is varied and developed. Finally, the third movement contains a Saltarello based on a tune by Vincenzo Galilei, the father of the famous astronomer, Galileo Galilei. It brings the work to a close with a hypnotic rhythm which is noble and virtuosic at the same time.Duration: 12.45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£73.50Three Miniatures for Winds and Percussion - Robert Sheldon
Dance like no one is watching, sing like no one is listening and live each day as if it were your last. This famous poem has many versions and is attributed to several authors, yet its simple, eloquent message speaks volumes to millions of people worldwide. The composition therefore has a first movement entitled "Joyful Dance," the second movement is "Simple Song," and the final movement is a "Celebration." Each movement is quite brief but distinctly different, each expressing the feelings inherent in the poem from which the work was drawn. (5:15) This title is available in SmartMusic.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£289.99Divertimento - Oliver Waespi
This grand work contains four contrasting movements. The first movement, Prelude, takes the form of an overture: it raises the curtains and marks the beginning of the piece. The brilliant motifs of the opening are contrasted by a calmer and more lyrical central section, after which the triumphant opening returns for the movement's end. The second movement, Meditation, explores the intimate sounds of the oboe, as well as those of the flute and French horn, backed by a rich orchestral accompaniment. The third movement presents a more upbeat Procession, but not a Procession of the Nobles, as written by Rimsky-Korsakov. Quite the opposite, Procession resembles a "second line"procession from New Orleans, whose up-beat rhythms invite everyone to dance in the streets rather than the measured pacing of a march. Divertimento ends with a Hoedown, the tradition American folk dance idiom, when the band has the opportunity for both vivacity and virtuosity and may play as fast as it can. It is important to play all four movements with precision, clarity and, most importantly, enthusiasm.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.95Aylesbury Dances (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Wiffin, Rob
The suite Aylesbury Dances was commissioned by the Aylesbury Concert Band to mark the occasion of their 25th Anniversary in 2019. Its three movements depict different aspects of Aylesbury: I. Pavane: The Town - Having read something of the town's history and its architecture I decided I wanted to write something ceremonial with the feel of music from Tudor times. Aylesbury was given its charter and borough status in 1554 by Mary Tudor so I took that as my starting point but then added some harmony that moves forward in time. This fits with the town's motto: Semper Prorsum (Always forward) and also with the Band's evolution from Aylesbury Town Band to Aylesbury Community Concert Band to Aylesbury Concert Band. The music can be defined as a pavane, or a cortege. The sense of procession is slightly disturbed by a 'Blue Leanie' moment. The Blue Leanie is an iconic Aylesbury building, an oblique rhombic prism which stands at an angle of 17% inclination. I took a quaver out of the time signature (I know the maths don't work!) to reflect this and added some bluer harmony at that point. This opening movement gives a sense of the grandeur and heritage of Aylesbury town and a chance for my friends from the brass section to warm up! II. Siciliana: Waterside - To balance the outer two movements, the middle movement of the suite has a slow lilting 6/8 rhythm. It is in the style of a Siciliana, a dance form originating in the baroque era. It is a graceful, tender and melancholic dance, cast here in a minor key and featuring the dark voice of the cor anglais. The Siciliana was often linked with pastoral scenes and Aylesbury itself sits amid some beautiful countryside. It may, therefore, seem a bit of a stretch to call this movement 'Waterside', especially as Aylesbury is so far from the sea, but the town has a theatre of that name and that was the genesis for this particular music. There is a statue of Ronnie Barker in the grounds of the Waterside theatre as he started his career in repertory theatre in Aylesbury, so I included a fleeting reference to the theme music of the comedy programme 'Open all Hours'. III. Frolic: Ducks in a Row - It was impossible to write a piece connected with Aylesbury without considering the famous Aylesbury ducks. Duck rearing was a major industry in the town in the 19th century. The white Aylesbury Duck is a symbol of the town, appearing on its coat of arms and in the logo of the Aylesbury Concert Band! This movement is all about trying to get the little darlings in a row so they can sing their 'Duck Chorus' together but they keep on scattering, flying off or swimming away as quickly as they can manage. It's a bit like watching ducks disperse when my dog jumps into the stream after them. Eventually we get more of them in a row - even though they protest. Hidden amongst the ducks is a reference to Erica Miller, saxophonist and chairman of the band, and there's even a veiled reference to a shark in the hope of getting them out of the water. Ducks in a Row is a fun romp bringing this suite of Aylesbury Dances to a suitably celebratory conclusion.- Rob Wiffin.Duration: 9.15
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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