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£274.99Symphony No. 1: Gilgamesh - Bert Appermont
The Epic of Gilgamesh was found in the middle of the 19th century, written on 25,000 clay tablets. After an extensive study of the tablets, this old Sumerian epic was translated, even though many of the tablets were never found. The epic was a source of inspiration for Bert Appermont to write his first sensational symphony.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£134.99
A Bamberg Fantasy - Ben Haemhouts
Bamberg has a population of approximately 70.000 people, a city not far from Bayreuth, famous for its Bayreuth Festspiele. The River Regnitz , the historic buildings, and the famous orchestra Bamberg Symphoniker are the source of inspiration for A Bamberg Fantasy. Following the opening, with its beautiful melodies played by different sections, the mood suddenly changes into an allegro ritmico in the minor key with rythmical elements and dynamic harmonics. In the finale, changes in time signature add a flowing character to this composition.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£264.99
Diferencias on an Old Spanish Song - Yasuhide Ito
I am immensely happy that my Gloriosa, symphonic poem for band (1990), has been performed by so many bands in the last thirty years.During this period, the growth of the internet has made it much easier to access information.When I composed Gloriosa, I only had limited information about the period when Christianity and Western music was first introduced to Japan, and had to rely a lot on my imagination.However, nowadays, it is easy to obtain various source materials and to read interesting studies on the music of the past.In recent years, the music of Luis de Narvez (born ca.1500 - died between 1555-1560), Spanish composer and vihuela player, has become increasingly known, and several CDs of his music are now available.Narvez composed the earliest-known set of diferencias, a forerunner of the variation form. One of his works is Seys diferencias sobre el himno "O gloriosa domina" [Six diferencias on the hymn "O gloriosa domina"] (1538), based on the Spanish Marian hymn, and it was this melody I used in the first movement of my Gloriosa.Western music has been my musical roots since childhood, and throughout my career as a composer, it has continued to fascinate me. One could say that this has provided the inspiration for Diferencias on an Old Spanish Song, my own take on the diferencias form.Actually, such music from the early sixteenth century could sound fresh to our modern ears. So I decided to quote the melody from Narvez's Sey diferencias at the beginning and end of the piece, in order that people can get the feel for the period.The main section (bars 42-390) is formed of 13 diferencias, similar to the first movement of the Gloriosa.In the middle section, which begins after the eighth diferencia(from bar 187), one should be totally absorbed in the tranquility and the beauty of the music. Although it's in the style of a sarabande, it should be taken slower and played as pianissimo as possible.This is followed by folk-style dance music. (As only standard percussion instruments are used, try to be creative with tonal colours and sense of rhythm).The structure of the work is simple, but be aware of the connection between the sections when constructing the whole.Also, think about the tonality. Overall, the work is in F minor. The main section is basically in D minor, but from bar 102, it modulates to A flat minor and G minor, and then in the middle section it suddenly switches to A flat major (which is the furthest key from D minor, and the relative major of F minor). From bar 219, it modulates to F minor and then to C minor, then back to F minor by way of A minor.N.B. The Oboe II part can be substituted by the English Horn (as indicated in the parts). One can choose according to the player's skills or preference.Recent new compositions for wind band are often full of rhythm, dynamism, and tonal colour, and compositional techniques and orchestration have also evolved greatly. Yet on the other hand, they tend to feature fewer melodic or expressive elements. Since this work is the test piece for WMC Kerkrade 2022, I had to think about what "tests" or "challenges" to set, and I decided to compose something that doesn't involve a lot of technical display, but requires beautiful sounds and harmonies, and above all, musical expressivity. I didn't put many expression markings in the score, because I wanted the performers to think about how best to express this music. If it is played merely as notated, it's not going to sound very interesting.Christianity was introduced to Japan in the mid-16th century, but it was subsequently banned and Japan entered a period of national isolation, which meant that there was hardly any international exchange for two hundred years. As a result, the Christian hymns that were introduced prior to the isolation became almost unrecognizable over the centuries. This was the theme I explored in my Gloriosa thirty years ago.Now, in 2021, the whole world has been forced to "isolate" due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In such times, it seems pertinent that I've written a work using this melody again. I sincerely hope that people will be able to gather in Kerkrade in 2022.(English Translation:Nahoko Gotoh)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£129.99Primavera - Beautiful Mountain Winds - Satoshi Yagisawa
Primavera was commissioned for the 40th Anniversary of Kofu Community Band and premiered in spring of 2008. The commissioning request was that the work would reflect both the beautiful nature of Yamanashi Prefecture and bonds the band shared through four decades of history.I always visit rehearsals and meet band members when accepting a commission so that the piece will be relevant and meaningful to the band. When I visited Kofu Community Band they were rehearsing one of my works, Hymn to the Sun - With the Beat of Mother Earth, and the members played with such emotion from bottom of their hearts that I was deeply moved. I shared a story of the work's inspiration, and some started to cry. I was impressed with how sincere and bright those performers in Kofu Community Band were. Mr. Fujio Ando, associate leader of the band, with a big smile told me that he wished their new work would be widely enjoyed and appreciated by many music lovers.(Satoshi Yagisawa)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£78.95
Japanese Pictures - Kevin Mixon
Japanese Pictures draws inspiration from both traditional and modern Japanese music. The harmonies are western as suggested by the accompanying melodies, and the percussion is styled to give the sounds of a taiko drum ensemble. Young bands will find this piece intriguing and different. Use this work as part of your multi-cultural approach to teaching music appreciation. Also a good choice for contest or festival performance.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£60.99
The Lights of Europe - Harm Evers
The inspiration for The Lights of Europe was the continuous growth in unity throughout Europe. The march begins in the minor key (all beginnings are difficult) but unity is found and is clearly audible in the melodious trio of the march.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£179.99
Firestorm - Stephen Bulla
The inspiration for this piece, commissioned by the United States Army Band, came from the Gulf and its constant presentation to the world as a media event on television. The composer wanted to capture the colour and events of war as they were played out on the television screen. Composed as a single movement rhapsody, the work is framed by the riveting sounds of airborne bombing raids with brass and percussion combining to create a gripping sense of tension.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£109.99Homage - Jan Van der Roost
In the most literal sense: a piece for an occasion. The actual occasion was Jan de Haan's twentieth anniversary as a conductor of the top Dutch brass band, "Soli Deo Gloria" (Leeuwarden). To mark the occasion, the band commissioned the Belgian comopser Jan Van der Roost to create a surprise piece: without knowledge of the person being celebrated, a suitable source of inspiration was sought for. After some thought the chorale-theme from Camille Saint-Sans organ symphony was chosen, a piece with which Jan de Haan has a special bond.Apart from this chorale, Homage is also based on the names of notes taken from 'Jan de Haan' and 'Soli Deo Gloria', resulting in the tonerow: DEGAH. Both elements are combined together and form a grand climax towards the end of the piece when the whole band unites in the Saint Sans' theme.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99
Laurena - Johan Nijs
For this composition he Flemish composer Johan Nijs takes his inspiration from people and events in his life. It was written for the birth and is dedicated to his daughter 'Laurena'. It's beautiful simple melodic lines makes it a perfect item to 'bring a little peace and calm any concert.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£134.99Prima Luce - Jan Van der Roost
Prima Luce (First Light) was commisioned by the Holy Angels Elementary School located in Aurora (USA). The name of the town (which means dawn), the town's great religious history and the fact that this town was one of the first in the USA to have streetlights were the inspiration for this Gregorian influenced atmospheric composition.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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