Searching for Brass Band Music? Visit the Brass Band Music Shop
We've found 349 matches for your search

Results

  • £113.30

    Moderate 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
  • £159.99

    Resurrection - 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
  • £72.70

    Le Cygne - Camille Saint-Saens

    Le carnaval des animaux (The Carnival of the Animals) is a humorous musical suite of fourteen movements by French composer Camille Saint-Sans. Le Cygne is the 13th movement of the suite, originally scored for two pianos and cello: the lushly romantic cello solo (which evokes the swan elegantly gliding over the water) is played over rippling sixteenths in one piano and rolled chords in the other (said to represent the swan's feet, hidden from view beneath the water, propelling it along). It has become a staple of the cello repertoire and one of the most well-known movements of the suite. Many other arrangements of this movement have also been published, with solo instruments ranging from flute to alto saxophone. Dutch arranger Andreas van Zoelen arranged this movement for solo cello with accompaniment of a small Wind Ensemble.

    Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
  • £76.99

    Autumn Soliloquy - James Barnes

    A delightful tone poem composed as an oboe solo with wind orchestra accompaniment and dedicated to Susan Hicks Brashier. Later versions for solo clarinet and flute, and orchestra accompaniments followed. Each solo instrument with piano accompaniment is also available for recitals and contest. Grade 3.

    Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
  • £72.99

    The Carnival of Venice (Fantasie and Variations) - Julius Benedict

    Solo Feature for Flute, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone B.C., Tuba B.C., or Xylophone One of the best-known solo vehicles ever written is now available for younger players in this skillfully crafted setting by Johnnie Vinson. Withseveral options for the featured instrument, this is a great way to showcase standout players year after year. (solo grade 4, band grade 3)

    Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
  • £184.99

    Il Cantico - Oliver Waespi

    Commissioned by the Stadtharmonie Zurich Oerlikon-Seebach for the 2005 WASBE Conference in Singapore"Il Cantico" was inspired by the poem "Cantico di Frate Sole" (Canticle of Brother Sun) by St. Francis of Assisi. In this famous mystic poem, St. Francis expresses his gratitude to God for the creation of nature, the sun, the earth and the living beings."Il Cantico" is based on specific parts of St. Francis's poem. A slow, dreamlike song in the flute leads gradually to the appearance of the sun, the light energy of which is expressed by radiant, powerful music in the brass instruments. The next, slower part of the work is dedicated to the moon (sora luna), a sort of mirror of thesun, and to the stars (le stelle). The music becomes more thoughtful, leads to a calm sound field in the woodwinds and later to a mystic horn solo. Still during the slow part, several chord fragments flash up, thereby announcing the fast ultimate part of the work. This part is about the fire (frate focu) illuminating the night, some sort of representative of the sun on earth. Towards the end of the work, the sun theme is combined with the fire theme.Besides these images, a purely musical structure guides the development of Il Cantico. Almost the entire piece evolves from a basic four-tone cell which appears in the horns and flute at the beginning. Consequently, the work is mainly monothematic and structured in the form of a metamorphosis. The basic cell gradually leads to a rich melodic and harmonic development. This basic material is later completed by a new chord series belonging to the fire theme. In the conclusion both approaches are combined.

    Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days

     PDF View Music

  • £57.50

    Forgotten Dreams - Leroy Anderson

    FORGOTTEN DREAMS was completed on May 28, 1954. The first performance was a few days later on June 2nd during a recording session for Delta Records in New York, at which time Leroy Anderson performed the piano solo himself. Although the main theme of FORGOTTEN DREAMS was intended to be played on the piano (and with simplicity), the composer_x001A_s band edition of the piece allowed for a solo flute to substitute (Play only in absence of Piano). It is also suggested the melody might be beautifully rendered on vibraphone due to the sustaining quality of that instrument. In any event, this charmingly romantic miniature will delight audiences whenever it is performed. This edition includes a full score.

    Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
  • £64.99

    Let It Go - Kristen Anderson-Lopez

    Designed as a flexible solo feature with band (use a vocalist or instrumental soloist) this marvelous arrangement of the signature hit song from Disney's Frozen is a great way to add variety to any concert. Great for alto sax, flute, clarinet or trumpet solo!

    Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
  • £76.99

    Variations And Theme - Anne McGinty

    First published in 1979, this masterful work for solo flute and band is available again in this newly engraved edition. The solo part displays a variety of styles from beautifully expressive lyric lines to spirited faster passages, all supported wonderfully by the full ensemble. Dur: 8:30

    Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
  • £141.99

    Concerto 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