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£204.00The Light of Resistance - Franco Cesarini
Franco Cesarini was commissioned to write The Light of Resistance by the Filarmonica di Villadossola APS (Piedmont, Italy) for its 125th anniversary. The Villadossola revolt was an uprising that took place in November 1943 in the homonymous municipality during World War II. The partisans, with the support of local workers, managed to temporarily liberate the town from nazi-fascist forces. It was one of the first acts of armed resistance against the German occupation in Italy but was harshly repressed by nazi-fascist troops who regained control of the territory. Although it was suppressed, the uprising remained a symbol of courage and determination.The slow introduction of the composition creates an atmosphere of latent tension, which gradually intensifies until it explodes in a rapid movement, symbolizing the struggle. Two contrasting musical themes collide, embodying the conflict between opposing forces. In the central section, a prayer rises delicately, then evolves into a heroic parade celebrating the temporary triumph of the revolt. However, this victory is fleeting; dissonant harmonies interrupt the scene, representing the brutal repression of the insurrection. In the finale, the heroic theme reemerges, evoking sacrifice as a spark of unshakeable hope. A moment of contemplation closes the composition, honouring the lives broken and reaffirming hope for a future of peace and regained freedom.The premiere of The Light of Resistance took place on 30th March, 2025 in Villadossola, performed by the Filarmonica di Villadossola, Franco Cesarini conductor.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£149.00Legend of a Giant - Kevin Houben
Legend of a Giant is a composition for solo alto saxophone and Wind Band composed by the Belgian composer Kevin Houben. The composer dedicated this challenging saxophone concerto to the Spanish saxophone virtuoso Mariano Garcia.The work had its premire in May 2021 in the Lemmensinstitute with the Wind Band of the LUCA School of Arts in Leuven (Belgium) conducted by Ivan Meylemans.Mariano Garcia is a full time professor saxophone at the LUCA School ofArts, the Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Aragon in Zaragoza (Spain) and the Wiener Akademie Musik (Austria).As in any classical concerto the saxophone soloist 'competes' with the orchestra: first alternately, in dialogue witheachother, afterwards fraternally together. Moreover the orchestra is regarded as an equal partner, therefore also for the musicians of the orchestra this cinematic score presents a tough challenge.Legend of a giant immerses thelistener in the world of the saxophone and challenges the soloist in the field of lyricism and timbre, but also on a technical level. In this way various aspects and modern playing styles such as bisbigliandos, double staccato,frullatos, glissandos, harmonics of overtones,... pass in review. In a word: a tough 'challenge' for any saxophone virtuoso! (!) A simplified version of the saxophone solo part also exists.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£127.00Ray of Light - Kevin Houben
Ray of light was composed for the 75th anniversary of the Royal Wind Band (De Heidegalm Berkenbos). The mining environment of Berkenbos (Heusden-Zolder, B) is a proof of what used to be one of the most flourishing industries inLimburg viz. the Mining Industry. Going down the shaft in the elevator for the first time was a sensational experience for every miner: the noise of the closing doors, the shock experienced when the lift cage started moving tofall down whizzingly into the deep at a speed of 30 km an hour. The opening theme of Ray of Light doesn't only reflect the bravery of the descending miners but also their anxiety, their doubt and insecurity. In the solo passage,the anxiety during the long walk in the dark through the mine corridors with only headlamps and mine lamps is clearly audible. Working in the mines wasn't without any danger. The very flammable and at times explosive mine gasesalways posed a hidden threat. Apart from that there was always the continuous danger of collapse. The beautiful choral movements are therefore an ode to the miners that left their lives in the mine. The eastern scale refers tothe multicultural character of the mining environment of Berkenbos with its many commercial shops and different types of housing inherent in mining architecture. The mining profession is still a very dangerous job, but at the endof the dark corridor the miners still see a beam of light as a sign of hope.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99Pilgrims of Wolfryt - Jacob de Haan
The work Pilgrims of Wolfryt tells the story of the legend Walfridus (also known as Wolfryt), a resident of the town of Bedum in the Netherlands who was born in the 11th century. Wilfridus had an eventful life: he introduced Christianity to Bedum and helped the town build its first legal system, but ultimately his story ended in demise murdered alongside his son at the hands of the Vikings. Pilgrims of Wolfryt is a symphonic poem-like masterpiece, full of evocative melodies in a mix of tonalities to make the most of the impressive rhythmic material.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£149.99
Jello, The Colours Of My Soul - Ben Haemhouts
Jello...The Colours of my Soul is an assignment that was written to be a lasting memory of the untimely, dramatic death of a young child. The work came about due to various conversations between the father and the composer whereby the final resultmust be seen as an attempt by the composer to musically translate the feelings of the parents.The first part of the title, "Jello", is a combination of the names of the two children of the commissioner, namely Jelle and Lobcke, and "the Colours of mySoul" are the colours of the soul of the parents who despite the loss of one of their children, continue to cherish their two children. The introduction provides the atmosphere of grieving for the loss, whereby use is made of pure fifths in order toportray the solidarity with nature, as we are familiar with in symphonies by Bruckner. A little later a bit of the first theme is suggested, which develops into a real funeral march.The Dies Irae, as this occurs in Berlioz's Fantastic Symphony (F, E,F, D, E, C, D), forms a leitmotiv through the entire work in order to symbolise the constant battle between life and death.Shortly before the storm-passage, (where a wind machine is used) which announces disaster, fragments from children's songs areplayed to the accompaniment of a rising choir piece from behind the stage, which strengthens the imminent confrontation with death.After the introduction of the two themes in the long introduction, a quick passage follows in which all kinds ofbeautiful memories are recalled. There is story telling, laughing, and dancing. One of the previous children's songs is also cited. The Dies Irea is heard once again, this time short and fast.Bit by bit happy elements are steadily distorted untilseriousness breaks through again, like an unavoidable and unstoppable evil. The entire piece becomes evermore stirring, as if a big climax will follow. At this moment a very long fermata makes a sudden end to the hysterical allegro. The crucialmoment in the work follows...How does one deal with something as tragic as the death of one's own child? Does one mourn for what no longer is and what never will be? Or does one try to cherish the beautiful moments and continue to live with thesecolourful memories?A subdued, dignified choir piece captures the beautiful memories and ends in a positive, hopeful tone.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£87.40Lord of Seven Seas - Kees Vlak
The plot of this overture takes place in the year 3000 A.D. At that time traffic between the earth and the planets relies exclusively on space flights. War as a last resort to "settle" arguments between people on earth no longer exists. There is only one gigantic spacecraft which is able to navigate both above and beneath the surface that supervises the oceans. This vessel, the "Lord of Seven Seas", is a hundred times larger than the "Nautilus" or the "Titanic" and must not be compared to any ship of our times. In the introduction of the overture, the gigantic vessel is presented by employing a musical style which is commonly associated with space flights. The introduction isfollowed by a fragment, which evokes the wild fury of rain and storm, and therefore reminds us of the story of the "Flying Dutchman". The middle section is written as a barcarole. The vessel investigates the local fauna in the depths of the Arctic Ocean. People on board enjoy the calmness as well as the variety and beauty of the animals. In the final part, the gigantic vessel emerges from below the surface and climbs to high altitudes flying from one ocean to the other. The magnificent finale portrays once again the incomparable sight which is offered by the impressive "Lord of Seven Seas".
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£75.50The Dream of Tiberius - David Campo
The Roman Emperor Tiberius was born in 42 BCE to Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla, both descendants of prestigious political families, at a time when Rome was undergoing significant political upheaval. Julius Caesar had begun a brutal civil war in 49 BCE to end Rome's rule as a Republic and consolidate his power as supreme ruler. Following Caeser's assassination in 44 BCE, Tiberius' father backed the forces wishing to return Rome to a Republic, but they were defeated by Caesarian loyalists led by Caeser's heir Octavian. As a result, Tiberius' early life was spent on the run and in political exile with his parents. In 27 BCE, Octavian would become the first Emporer of Rome and assume the name Augustus. Augustus forced Tiberius' parents to divorce and took Tiberius' mother as his new bride, separating the family and forcing Tiberius to live with his father. Upon his father's death, Tiberius went to live with his mother and Emporer Augustus, a situation Tiberius found extremely uncomfortable but one over which he had no control. Having been adopted by the Emperor, Tiberius assumed the military and political life thrust upon him. He proved to be an outstanding military and political leader, and with his marriage to Vipsania Agrippina his life took on a heretofore unknown stability. However, Augustus would intervene in Tiberius' life once more, forcing him to abandon his happy marriage and take Augustus' daughter Julia (Tiberius' step sister) as his new wife. This arrangement, while securing Tiberius' place as Augustus' heir and ensuring he would one day be Emperor of Rome, was disastrous. Julia's drunken licentiousness was a constant source of scandal and embarrassment for Tiberius (and her father, the Emperor) and she was eventually exiled by her father Augustus. Tiberius was named Emperor of Rome upon the death of Augustus in AD 14, assuming his position as the most powerful man on Earth. However, no matter how powerful he had become, Tiberius never felt as if he had ever had any control over his life, having been manipulated from childhood through adulthood by the whims of Augustus. As Emperor, he soon became disgusted with the political intrigue of the Roman Senate and by AD 26 left Rome and took up residence on the island of Capri, where he lived out the rest of his life. History does not regard Tiberius fondly and by all accounts towards the end of his reclusive life on Capri, he had become a miserable, sick and mentally unstable old man reveling in debauchery and cruelty. It is also informative to note that he was Emperor of Rome when Jesus of Nazareth was crucified, and while there is no indication that Tiberius was even aware of the existence of Jesus, as Emperor he was responsible for the appointment of Pontius Pilate as Governor of Judea. Even considering this, it is difficult to look on the life of the Emperor Tiberius and not feel some sympathy and pity. It's in this spirit that I composed "The Dream of Tiberius." I imagine the man sitting in thoughtful seclusion on the beautiful island of Capri imagining what his life might have happily been had not power been thrust upon him: husband, father and humble servant of the people.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£129.50Goddess of Fire - Steven Reineke
A magnificent programmatic work for symphonic band that is an offering to Pele, the Goddess of Hawaii's volcanoes. The work opens with primordial, mysterious sounds representing the foreboding volcanoes of Hawaii. We are then introduced to Pele as a tall, beautiful young woman. This is one of the forms she can take and it represents her powers of creation and beauty. This gives way to the active and destructive Pele, often taking the form of an old woman, wrinkled and bent with age. The following lyrical section of the piece is the full statement of Pele's theme of creation and beauty. As this theme settles, we begin to hear the ground pop and crack letting us know that new lava is beginning to bubble and flow. Suddenly and violently, one of her volcanoes erupts, creating massive chaos and destruction. After the eruption subsides, Pele's theme of creation and beauty returns again. A wonderful addition to any concert or festival performance by mature bands. Exceptional in every respect!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£248.99Elements of Nature - Hermann Pallhuber
Earth - Fire - Water - Air: According to the four element theory of temperaments, earth, fire, air and water are the building blocks of the universe. Without them, life would not exist. They shape our view of the world around us, affect our thoughts and guide our feelings. Classifying our cosmos according to the four elements is probably one of the oldest principles of mankind, dating back to the ancient Greeks, and maybe even before them. While we know more about the elements and atoms, these four are still deeply embedded inthe human psyche. According to ancient Greek philosophers, each of the four elements has its own particular attributes. All other substances in nature aresaid to have emerged from these elements and can be broken down into them.All creatures, including human beings, contain a mixture of these four elements, which shape their senses. The elements are even able to balance out the body and the soul.This suite, Elements of Nature, is in four movements, each corresponding to one of the elements.Dances of Fire: Savage, occult, dangerous - Fire signifies the will of man.The Circle of Water: Flowingly, endless, mighty - Water sums up the feelings of human beings.Planet Earth: Structured, material, fertile - Earth stands for the awareness of the self.Air - The Spirit of Life: Stirring, altering, sensual - Air signifies human intellect.Elements of Nature contains a main theme that combines the female elements (earth and water) with the male elements (fire and air). The four movements are also linked to each other by their motifs. A majestic prologue and an epilogue frame the suite.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£134.99The Legend of Ratu Kidul - Filip Ceunen
The Legend of Ratu Kidul carries us into the world of Indonesian mythology, on the island of Java:Once upon a time, the Queen of the Southern Seas was a kind and beautiful princess. She was the daughter of Prabu Munding Wangi, the favourite ofthe entire court and the local people. Her royal father doted on his daughter. Her name was Dewi Kadita, but many called her Dewi Srengenge or the Angry Princess.Prabu Munding Wangi longed for an heir, but Dewi Kadita's mother couldn't fulfil thiswish. So he took a second wife, called Poetri Moentiara, who was very jealous of the lovely princess and her mother. She begged the king to banish both her rivals from court. However Prabu Munding Wangi didn't do as she asked. He loved his first wifeand her daughter. The second wife bore him a healthy heir, but the monarch remained firm. So Poetri Moentiara called upon the renowned witch, Djahil. She promised her a princely reward, if Dewi Kandita and her mother were banished. Djahil thought fora moment and incanted this rapal (spell): "May leprosy befall you both". Soon both mother and daughter began to suffer this dreadful disease. According to the law of the land, they were to be banished to the wild forest high on the mountain. With aheavy heart, King Munding Wangi saw the law carried out. So the two set off on their way to the forest, covered in terrible sores. A great sadness fell across the land, except for Poetri Moentiara, the second wife of the king, who had achieved heraim. The princess fell on hard times. In the forest lived a hermit, who took pity on the mother and daughter. The queen couldn't bear the shame and within a few days had died. Now Dewi Kandita was all alone in the world. There was still the hermit,however, who fortunately provided food and shelter in a cave temple. He bound her weeping sores but couldn't relieve her emotional pain. Dewi Kandita became increasingly bitter and eventually left the hermit. She travelled southward from village tovillage, further and further, until eventually she reached the shores of the Southern Sea. She climbed upon a high cliff and gazed out onto the sea that spread before her. She was tempted to dive into the deep green and blue. In the cool waters shewould be able to forget all her pain and suffering. Suddenly awaking from these thoughts, she jumped into the deep. The gods, who had looked on Dewi Kandita throughout her hardships, were filled with deep compassion. So they transformed her into apowerful spirit of the netherworld, Ratu Kidul, and to this day she resides in her grand palace under the sea.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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