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£68.99Requiem Aeternam - Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini was commissioned to write a second opera after the resounding success of his first, Le Villi. However, the original four-act, grand opera Edgar, to a libretto by Ferdinando Fontana, received a rather lukewarm reception at its premire in La Scala in Milan in 1889 - initially, the work was only performed three times. Of all the planned performances in the subsequent two years, only one took place, in Lucca, Puccini's birthplace. There, the work was well received. Nevertheless, the composer decided to make drastic changes to Edgar the most radical being the reduction of the opera to three acts, as well as altering a few arias, charactersand instrumental parts. In its revised form, the work was even less popular than before. The discarded fourth act later provided material for Tosca (the duet Amoro sol' per te), but Puccini never felt the need to defend Edgar - as he did other less fortunate operas, such as La Rondine and Suor Angelica. On a piano excerpt for his female friend Sybil Seligman he even corrupted the title to 'E Dio ti GuARda da quest' opera' (may God preserve you from this opera). This did not prevent Arturo Toscanini performing the Requiem from the third act at Puccini's funeral in Milan Cathedral on 3 December 1924. The Requiem in the third act is being played when the long funeral procession carries the alleged body of Edgar - the confusedyoung man hesitating between the love of the virtuous Fidelia and the exotic Tigrana. The mass hails Edgar as a hero, but a monk claims that he has betrayed his country for a few gold pieces. When the soldiers try to desecrate the body, they discover that the armor contains none. The monk reveals himself as Edgar. He wants to leave with his faithful Fidelia, but the vengeful Tigrana stabs him and kills Fidelia. Edgar grieves over the lifeless body of his beloved, while Tigrana is arrested and the people submerge into prayer.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£149.99Shalom! - Philip Sparke
The long history of Jewish folk song has resulted in a rich and varied repertoire of songs which deal with religion, history, festival and celebration. The melodies featured in Shalom! reflect this panoply of subjects and range widely in mood, from lament to rejoicing.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.99Pathfinders March - Philip Sparke
Composer Philip Sparke has long been fascinated by history's pioneers. In all fields of human activity, there has been someone with enormous vision who has made the first step into the unknown. Explorers have found new lands, doctors have discovered new medicines and scientists are pushing the bounds of technology ever further. But there was always one 'pathfinder', someone who was not afraid of the unknown, who dared to go one step further than anyone before him. The march is dedicated those pioneers who have risked everything for the sake of their vision.
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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£91.99The Conqueror - Philip Sparke
Philip Sparke wrote this march for the famous brass band contest held ever year on Whit Friday in Oldham and Saddleworth. Given the competition's long history (over 120 years), he consciously composed this piece in a very traditional march form. The title, The Conqueror, refers to Alexander the Great's nickname as well as being something every band aspires to be!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£306.99Sinfonietta No. 4 - Philip Sparke
Philip Sparke's Sinfonietta No. 4 is comprised of three parts that are played as an uninterrupted whole. The _x005F_x001F_first movement begins with a lyrical fugato passage, framing a brisker and more rhythmical middle section. The second movement is slower and contains a long and expressive euphonium solo. The third movement is a salute to the sponsor of this commission: various percussion instruments conjure up sounds reminiscent of a carpenter's workshop, accompanied by a unison orchestral passage in a scat style.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£63.99Bugs - David Shaffer
A unique suite in four movements: "Fireflies", "Daddy Long Legs", "Butterflies", and "March of the Ants". Each movement can be performed separately. Short poems are used to introduce each movement and the delightful music which follows is sure to make "Bugs" a favorite with students and audiences everywhere. Great teaching material for developing bands. A real winner!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£80.99The Last to Defend - David Shaffer
An excellent choice for contest or concert performances, this impressive piece is quite playable and yet still retains the energy and vitality long associated with Shaffer's compositions. Certain to be a favorite of bands and audiences everywhere!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£107.50Brazil : Ceremony, Song and Samba - Robert W. Smith
At long last, Robert W. Smith continues his musical journey that began in western Africa years ago and now takes us to Brazil. Based upon authentic Afro-Brazilian percussion grooves, "Brazil: Ceremony, Song and Samba" is comprised of three musical sections illustrating the impact of the African experience on music of this part of the world. Beginning in northern Brazil with the Ceremony, the piece transitions to Rio di Janiero and the smooth sounds of the bossa nova that has become so popular throughout the world. The piece concludes with the exciting sounds of Carnaval and the Samba Schools that fill the streets during the annual celebration. Exciting, musically rewarding and extremely effective in any concert setting!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£65.99Wild Horse Canyon - Scott Stanton
Adapted by the composer for the Barnhouse Build-A- Band Series from his original concert band composition of the same name, "Wild Horse Canyon" is wonderful program music for very small bands suggesting the imagery of wild horses roaming free in the Red Rock canyons of Utah. Playable by any instrumentation as long as the four basic yet very interesting parts are covered. Perfect for any concert or festival performance!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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