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£159.99Resurrection - Kevin Houben
"Man wird mit Keulen zu Boden geschlagen und dann auf Engelsfittichen zu den hchsten Hhen gehoben." (Mahler over zijn 2de symfonie "Wederopstanding", Juli 1894)*"You are clubbed to the ground and then lifted to the highest heights on angels' wings"Commissioned by and dedicated to Concertband Maasmechelen (BE), conducted by Mark Prils.Kevin Houben was inspired for this work by Gustav Mahler's 2nd symphony, better known as the Resurrection symphony.The work can be regarded as a Ma(h)lerei of various compositional and spherical elements that refer to the Austrian composer but that appear in this composition in an embedded, contemporary way.As Mahler often drew his inspiration from nature, the opening of this piece brings nature right to the audience. The work starts with a solo for alto flute accompanied by a pedal note in four octaves with harmonic responses echoing the solo.From the start, Kevin Houben provides Mahler's material with a contemporary touch. He replaces the nature sounds that Mahler uses (perfect fourth) with tritone intervals. The off stage trumpet signals have been preserved but are provided with a new accompaniment. Gradually, throughout the work, the orchestra undergoes its own independent development. Mahler's musical signature remains recognizable, but Kevin Houben allows it - e.g. through the use of various timbres - to flourish in a more modern musical idiom, which characterizes numerous contemporary compositions for wind band (cfr. Where Angels Fly).The work comes to a grandiose end with a passage of the famous chorale from Mahler's 2nd symphony. The rich orchestration of this chorale gives the listener the illusion of the presence of a choir and organ without actually using them.In Resurrection, each instrument group comes into its own: in solo fragments, in transparent thematic passages or in splendid tuttis. Therefore, the work forms an interesting challenge for a wind band on several levels, both technically and melodically - the latter due to the long suspenseful melodic phrases that the musical structure requires.The piece is accessible to a wide audience and can be regarded as an enrichment for any concert programme. Resurrection takes the audience through various atmospheres and experiences: from stunning to chilling, from calming to delighting...Die Musik muss immer ein Sehnen enthalten, ein Sehnen ber die Dinge dieser Welt hinaus." (Gustav Mahler, 1860-1911)"Music must always involve a longing, a yearning beyond the things of this world."
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£72.99Sunlight Dancing - Robert Buckley
Sunlight Dancing was inspired by a walk through a forest on a bright summer day - the sunlight was flickering between the leaves and it seemed like the whole forest was dancing. This is a celebratory work expressing positive energy and optimism - designed to lift people's spirits. From the joyful opening to the beautifully reflective lyric section to the final exhilarating flourish, this piece is full of tuneful melodies, driving percussion and dynamic contrasts. An exciting concert opener or festival piece that showcases all sections of the band. Dur: ca. 6:00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£57.50Finn McCool - Robert Buckley
Finn McCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill) was a mythical Irish giant. There are many stories associated with Finn, including the legend that he built the Giant's Causeway in the north of Ireland as stepping-stones to Scotland. Finn McCool starts as a funky Irish jig with an infectious groove and a call and response structure. This develops into a section with a melody reminiscent of an Irish air. Finally, these two melodies are played together and the music builds to a final flourish.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£91.99March Prelude: Alnwick Town - Philip Sparke
March Prelude: Alnwick Town was commissioned by the Alnwick Playhouse Concert Band (with Ray Thompson as conductor) to celebrate their first 25 years. It opens majestically with answering phrases between various sections of the band, leading to a faster march-like section its main theme echoes the rhythms of the opening material. A bridge passage featuring snippets for saxophones and trumpets leads to a new theme, more legato in nature and repeated after a change of key. The bridge passage returns to herald a restatement of the main theme before the opening material reappears to close the work with a flourish.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£66.95The Lost Temple - Jared Barnes
The Lost Temple captures the intrigue of ancient legends, lost treasures, and adventures into the unknown. A quiet, mysterious theme opens the piece, eventually giving way to a driving adventure theme. A sense of calm and wonder emerges as dangers reveal themselves. A triumphant flourish ends the musical journey. (4:05)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£73.50Herald The Holidays - Robert W. Smith
Open your next holiday concert with this fanfare and flourish for the concert band. Using familiar carols and holiday melodies, Herald The Holidays is a glorious and celebratory fanfare that musically proclaims the beginning of the season. Musically rewarding, yet quick to prepare, this is an excellent programming choice. Happy Holidays!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£72.99Silver Celebration - John Wasson
Commissioned by the Richardson (TX) Community Band, Silver Celebration commemorates 25 years of service by their conductor, George Jones. The work combines elements of traditional march style with the bravura of epic film scores,resulting in a piece that is both festive and celebratory in nature. The opening is a rousing 6/8 march featuring various sections of the band and exciting cross rhythms, and then contrasted with a beautifully flowing lyricstatement. A brief percussion feature leads to the final section, recapping the opening themes with a flourish and dramatic appeal. Dur: 5:00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£48.95
Once in Royal David's City
Since 1919, Once in Royal David's City has been used to commence the worldwide BBC broadcast of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve from the University of Cambridge in England. Contrasting the pomp of a royal procession with gentler passages, this arrangement is mindful of the quiet eve evoked by the lyrics. Highlights include opening chimes and bells, a marching marcato section, and an ending flourish in the final measures.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£62.95Mineola Waltz - John W. Hawd
Originally composed in 1890 by John W. Hawd, this Carl Strommen arrangement was scored for the centennial celebration of the Village of Mineola. The Algonquin term Mineola literally means a friendly and pleasant village. Mineola Waltz is a similarly pleasant work with a familiar-sounding melody and all of the flourish and panache of a distinctive waltz. This title is available in SmartMusic.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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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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