Results
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£92.50Porgy and Bess (Medley) - George Gershwin
The music from the timeless masterwork Porgy and Bess has fascinated generation after generation. Oddly enough, at its premiere the critics presented mixed reaction: some calling it the pioneering work of a new folk-opera genre, and others condemning it as merely a succession of hit songs. Fortunately, time has secured its place in history. James Barnes has skillfully crafted a wonderful scoring of "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'," "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Summertime," "Crab Man," and "Bess, You Is My Woman Now." This is Gershwin at his best! (8:30)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£249.99The Wind in the Willows - Johan de Meij
"A book for those who keep the spirit of youth alive in them; of life, sunshine, running water, woodlands, dusty roads, winter firesides" said author Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) about his children's book The Wind in the Willows. Initially, he wrote the stories about Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad to read to his visually handicapped son Alistair, but after the publication in book form in 1908, it became a worldwide success. It was later also turned into a film and a television series. What appealed ti the composer most is the friendly, very cosy atmosphere that Grahame has managed to create with his optimistic narrative style full of high spirits, an atmosphere that reminds thecomposer of his own carefree youth. It was therefore a great pleasure to set this book to music! The four movements successively describe:I) The River- The river, which flows through the habitat of the animals like a lifeline, regularly is the scene of pleasant boat trips and picnics. The animals lead their untroubled lives here. The four-tone main motif [A-C-D-C] is extensively presented by the brass section, and returns in the following movements as a countermelody. II) Ratty and Mole -The bright, energetic Rat and the melancholy doubter Mole are inseparable friends and have many adventures. Their opposite characters are illustrated by separate musical themes. III) Mister Toad - The wilful, haughty Mister Toad is indeed a unique case: time after time, he runs into tricky situations, and with his indomitable passion for fast - preferably stolen - cars he causes quite a lot of damage...IV) The Return of UlyssesAfter Toad Hall, the majestic residence of Mister Toad, is recovered from the weasels and stoats of the Wild Wood, who had captured the estate in a cowardly way, our friends get ready for a banquet. They celebrate the victory with a triumphant parade, and so both the book and the music conclude with a happy ending.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£79.99Simple Sarabande - Philip Sparke
The sarabande originated in the early 17th century and is a stately dance in triple time. It was popular in France and Spain but as a dance it quickly spread throughout the courts of Europe and the style was soon adopted into instrumental music in dance suites for solo instruments as well as orchestra. Something of this style has influenced Simple Sarabande and although its harmonic language is perhaps more up-to-date it could be seen as a 'period piece'.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£79.99The Painted Desert - Philip Sparke
The south-western US state of Arizona has more than its fair share of stunning landscapes, natural phenomena and National Monuments. Best known is the Grand Canyon, but there are also numerous deserts, a petrified forest, extinct volcanoes and the huge Sunset Crater. Not surprisingly, it has featured as the backdrop to many Western movies.The Painted Desert is a narrow, crescent-shaped arc about 160 miles long which begins near the Grand Canyon and varies in width from 10 to 35 miles. It is largely void of vegetation and years of erosion by wind and rain have exposed sedimentary layers of rock up to 250 million years old. Chemical differences in the various layers result in aneffect not unlike a multicoloured layer cake with contrasting hues of red, orange and pink, blue, grey and lavender creating a silent and barren landscape which looks like it has been hand-painted. As with much of the planet's stunning landscapes all the observer can do is stand and stare.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£87.99David of the White Rock - Traditional
This is an ancient Welsh air that was first published in Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1794. Dafydd (David) Owain was a famous Welsh bard who lived on a farm called Gareg Wen (The White Rock) in Eifionydd, Carnarnvonshire, North Wales. Tradition has it that on his deathbed he called for his Harp and composed this lovely melody, requesting that it be played at his funeral. Accordingly, it was later played at the parish church of Ynys-Cynhaiarn. Lyrics were later added by Ceiriog Hughes, which describe the melody's inspiration. This version for Concert Band retains all the beauty and simplicity of the original.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£91.99Parade of the Clockwork Soldiers - Philip Sparke
This piece was inspired by the composer watching his young son, Benny, playing 'soldiers' with his collection of teddy bears - how appropriate!But it made him think of the many character pieces which take the form of a 'toy march', the most notable examples being by Haydn, Tchaikovsky and Leon Jessel. Parade of the Clockwork Soldiers is in the form of a 'patrol' (starting and ending quietly with a louder middle) and aims to represent a band marching past the listener. In fact, where the hall layout permits it, it could be possible to add a little choreography to the piece, starting and ending with only a few instruments on stage.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£152.99Centennial Salute - Philip Sparke
Just based on its title, this piece has to be celebratory and up-beat, which it is! It opens with a stately fanfare, first played on the low brass before the entire band joins in. This gives way to a contrasting lyrical theme which develops until it joins up with the fanfare to complete the opening section. A lively and heavily syncopated vivo follows, cast as a traditional march, complete with a 'bass strain' and trio. After the original march theme returns, a climax leads back to a reprise of the majestic opening, which brings the piece to an appropriately triumphant close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£63.99Midnight Escape - Larry Neeck
A unique composition built on alternating 3/4 and 2/4 measures that will challenge your developing band. Lots of tasty percussion parts will keep even the largest section involved and interested and since it is written for the reduced Command Series instrumentation, it will work very well for smaller high school bands. Great rhythmic teaching material in this appealing work as it produces a "dangerous" sound that students and audiences will love! Check this one out!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£89.99Norwegian Overture - Traditional
It is not entirely sure where the melody originates that forms the basis for Norwegian Overture. Most sources point in the direction of a certain J.H. Nebelong in about 1881. It is also possible that he was the first to note down this traditional melody and put his name to it.The lyrics are by a certain A.H. Brorson and were set to the music at a later date. The original title is "store hvide flok", which means "the big white herd". Several composers have used this theme, including Edvard Grieg and the Danish Carl Nielsen.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£89.99Yellowstone Choral - Filip Ceunen
Yellowstone Choral was inspired by the marvellous landscapes of the Yellowstone National Park in the United States. The choral comprises three choral phrases that alternate throughout the work. The beginning is lightly orchestrated, with an oboe solo, but more instruments gradually join in before the second phrase of the choral is introduced. The third phrase does not appear so quickly and when it does it is introduced by horns and trombones before building up to the climax of the choral, where the trumpet takes the upper hand. After this the choral gradually fades away, with the first and second phrases appearing just a few more times. The choral ends as it began,with a slowly ebbing orchestration.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
