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£72.99Lyric for Band - George Walker
In 1946, George Walker was still doing graduate work at the Curtis institute when he composed Lyric for Strings, which would prove over the coming decades to become one of the most performed and enduring string orchestra works of the 20th Century. This first-ever edition for symphonic wind band was arranged by Dr. Luci Disano and premiered by The President's Own United States Marine Band on August 24, 2022. George Walker (June 27, 1922 - August 23, 2018) began his groundbreaking career as a young piano virtuoso and was admitted to Oberlin College on a scholarship following his first public recital at the age of 14. Graduating with the highest honors in his Conservatory class, he was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music, becoming the first black graduate of this renowned music school. His works demonstrate a wide range of artistic excellence in genres ranging from instrumental and vocal solos and chamber music to compositions for orchestra and other large ensembles. He is the first black composer to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£105.80Magellano - Andrea Moncalvo
This composition was written on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the death of Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer (1480 - 1521), who embarked on what would have become the first circumnavigation of the globe. Unfortunately, he did not complete it because, in 1521, he was killed in the region that is today the Philippines. This adventure triggered various images in the author's mind; evocations that the composer elaborated in this piece, which is in a tripartite form (A B A) and is introduced and concluded by a solemn fanfare evoking the departure of the expedition, consisting of 5 ships with a total of 234 crewmen. The first part (Allegro) presents a main theme with a cantabile character that describes the fleet that, intrepid, plows the ocean. This initial melody is then contrasted by a more rhythmic and syncopated theme in a minor key, which instead refers to the indigenous peoples they have encountered during the journey. The central section (Adagio) is an oasis of reflection because, as in other great adventures, this too has tragic aspects: mutinies, shipwrecks, clashes with indigenous peoples, up to the disappearance of those who had desired and planned this enterprise. The last part proposes the themes of the first section but in reverse order, to describe the return to the homeland. The solemn fanfare welcomes the arrival of the Victoria, the only surviving ship with only 18 men on board, which returns to the port of departure after completing the circumnavigation of the earth in 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£149.40Hoppesltt - Øystein Olsen Vadsten
This is an original piece of music composed by ystein Olsen Vadsten, inspired by old Norwegian folk dances. "Jumpety Jump" actually started out as a "reinlender" (Norwegian Folk Dance) which origins from Rhinland. The reinlender is well disguised in this arrangement by adding the shuffle- and swing style to it. The piece is first of all meant as a "happy go lucky" tune, but is full of rhythmical and technical challenges. Its put up as a jazz-tune, first presenting the melody, then "improvisasations" by the different instrument groups, before going back to the first theme. The title "Jumpety Jump" refers to the kind of jumping feeling the shuffle groove gives.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£89.99Preludio all' atto II - Giuseppe Verdi
For the first draft of the libretto of Un ballo in maschera (1859), Giuseppe Verdi drew his inspiration from the grand-opra Gustave III by Auber, an opera performed for the first time in Paris in 1833 that depicted the assassination of the King of Sweden. However, censorship, first in Naples and then in Rome, intervened and imposed heavy modifications. Perhaps because it was too demanding, Verdi showed no intransigence with the requests coming from Naples and refused to alter the libretto. On the other hand, he yielded to the requests of the Roman authorities and agreed to change the site of the action and the identity of the protagonists. Consequently, the scene movedfrom Stockholm to Boston and King Gustav became the Count of Warwick, Governor of Massachusetts.The prelude to the second act is very short and introduces the scene at the place where the scaffold stands. In only a few measures, Verdi skillfully succeeds in condensing the interior restlessness of the protagonists, alongside a prayer of hope.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£49.50The Sword of Kings - Robert W. Smith
Listen carefully to this regal sounding composition by Robert W. Smith. You may find it difficult to believe that it contains only the first six notes introduced in most major band methods. "The Sword of Kings" is inspired by the legend of Excalibur. It was composed as a concert or festival work for the beginning band. Whether at the end of the first semester or the first year of study, your band will sound surprisingly sophisticated while appealing to both performer and audience alike. Active percussion combined with engaging wind parts make this an excellent choice.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£60.50Nature's Fury - Jonathan McBride
Using only the first 6 notes taught in most band methods, "Nature's Fury" is a simple and exciting piece perfect for your beginning band's first concert. "Nature's Fury" first introduces the concepts of theme and harmony in unison for all players, and then presents these themes and harmonies together at the powerful conclusion. Sure to be a favorite with students and audiences, and makes a perfect bridge to part independence.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£45.99On Parade - Andrew Glover
Start your very first beginning band concert with "On Parade." Using just the first six notes learned in band instruction, your students will feel confident performing this solid and melodic march. After and introduction and opening theme, a "trumpet and drum" melody is presented, followed by a woodwind accompaniment and then a countermelody in the lower voices. Audiences love marches, and you won't find a more solid way to begin that first concert!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£109.99
Musica Festiva - Menno Bosgra
This 3-part work begins with a martial and heroic theme where the brass and drums play an important role. A second melodic theme contrasts with the first, although elements of the first theme remain clearly present and they in turn provide a link to the second, calmer movement which is introduced with a splendid solo on the saxophone. You can hear fragments of the first part here too.In the third part, the small drum begins to play the background theme and is followed by a grand group of brass instruments playing a heavy concert march which, after an increase of tempo, gradually ends in a grand finale which refers once again to the initial theme.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£134.99
The Enemy God and the Dance of the Spirits - Sergei Prokofiev
The Russian ballet director Sergei Diaghilev commissioned many composers to write music for the theatre. This was what caused Serge Prokofiev to compose the four part Scytische Suite (also known as Ala and Lolli) in 1916, from which The Enemy God and the Dance of the Spirits can be heard on this CD. This suite is one of Prokofiev's first works, and received negative criticism following its first performance on account of its being "uncivilised". Prokofiev himself wrote after this first performance ". . . The timpani player beat the skin of the timpani to tatters, and the whole orchestra voiced a protest. A cellist complained that he only put up with the violence, createdby the blaring brass, on account of his sick wife and three children . . .".
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£141.99Concerto for Wind Ensemble - Karel Husa
Commissioned by the Michigan State University Alumni Band, this three movement work by Karel Husa was the winner of the first Louis Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition in 1983. A note from thecomposer: 'Divided into three movements, this work is a display of virtuoso passages given to solo instruments as well as to the groups of the ensemble. In the Fanfare of the first movement, the Brass section concertises in groupsof four Brass quintets (2 Trumpets, Horn, Trombone and Tuba or Baritone), spread from left to right in back. The Saxophones (SATB) are placed in front of the Brass quintets, and the Woodwinds occupy the front of the stage, withPercussion on the left and right side. These groups, like the Brass quintets, play in the concertante style, particularly in the first and last movements. 'At the same time, each movement contains individual solo passages(for example, Timpani and Flute in Movement I - Drum Ceremony and English Horn and other low Woodwinds in Movement II - Elegy). The composition of this piece was prompted by the excellence of Wind and Percussion players today, andby the incredible growth of Wind ensembles, orchestras, and bands in the last 25 years. It is intended for their enjoyment.'
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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