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£102.99American Prelude - Johan de Meij
American Prelude was commissioned by the United States Marine Band "The President's Own" and was composed in honor of the retirement of Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the 28th Director of the USMB. This short and energetic work features subtle hints to two of my favorite American composers, Aaron Copland and John Williams. The performance at Colonel Fettig's final concert with the Marine Band was the world premiere, given at the annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois on December 20st, 2023.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£148.99Symphony No. 1 - The Borgias - 2. Nepotism - Otto M. Schwarz
A sinister legend hangs over the Borgia family, a legend of corruption, abuse of power, orgies, sex and murder. These rumours proliferated especially during the papacy of Alexander VI, a descendant of the family, who was even called the Antichrist. On his death, contemporary witnesses reported that the devil himself prowled around the death chamber and a black dog run along the corridors of the Vatican as his emissary. One might say that this Borgia pope, who ruled together with his family with the greatest brutality, became demonised. Unscrupulousness, poison-toting, incest and other malice are to this day the hallmarks of this pontiff.2. NEPOTISMRodrigo Borgia was elected Pope on 11 August 1492. From the very start, the new pope was prepared to use any means to eliminate his opponents, either through the infamous 'Borgia poison' or by excommunication and execution. His son Cesare, who wanted little to do with the church, was appointed cardinal against his will. Alessandro Farnese, broth of Giulia Farnese, the Pope's mistress, also became a cardinal. Numerous Spaniards were brought into the country and were appointed to ecclesiastical posts. This infuriated the opponents of Alexander VI. The Dominican Girolamo Savonarola from Florence demanded the removal of the Pope. He was tortured and banned. Giuliano della Rovere wanted to convene councils to depose the Pope, which Alexander managed to prevent through artful political manoeuvrings. Through great brutality, brilliant political skill and power games, this pope was able to achieve his goal of leaving for his children a great legacy. Alexander VI constantly changed his allies and always acted unscrupulously to improve his financial situation and expand his sphere of influence. At the centre of the second movement of this work is the medieval hymn Dies Irae (Day of Wrath), which acts as a warning in the background condemning the Pope's actions.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£228.70The Music of Antonio Carlos Jobim - Antonio Carlos Jobim
ivind Westby has written a number of excellent but demanding instrumental arrangements for Concert Band. In the present one, he has transcribed five of the most famous by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994) grew up near Ipanema, the famous beach in Rio de Janeiro. His big break through and most creative period came in the 50's and 60's which gave him the status as the greatest Brazilian composer of all times. Together with Stan Getz and Jo�o and Astrud Gilberto he recorded one of the best selling jazz-albums of all times, an album which feature several of his most famous compositions. His inspiration includes another Brazilian great; Pixinguinha, but also classical composers like Frederick Chopin and Claude Debussy. He died in NYC in 1994 after composing approx. 400 works. He is recognized all over the world as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£129.99Star Wars Saga - John Williams
John Williams (February 8, 1932) has composed some of the most popular, recognizable and critically acclaimed film scores in cinema history. Williams has won 25 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. With 53 Academy Award nominations, he is the second most-nominated individual, after Walt Disney. His compositions are considered the epitome of film music, and he is considered among the greatest composers in the history of cinema. His work has influenced many other composers of film, popular, and contemporary classical music. In 2005, the American Film Institute selected Williams's score to 1977's Star Wars as the greatest film score of all time. In this newly revised arrangement from 1986, arranger Johan de Meij has used themes from Star Wars - A New Hope en The Empire Strikes Back.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£97.60Proven - Kevin Houben
'Proven' was composed by Kevin Houben on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Royal Wind Band 'De Volksvreugd'meaning ' People's Joy' in 2021.As its name suggests the musical band of the West Flemish village , municipality of Poperinge (B), had to bring joy againto the people. At that time there was still a striking industry of woodworkers, including that of slat splitters and hoop cutters.Moreover the cultivation of hops, necessary for the brewing of beer, remained important. Shortly after World War I theassociation was founded in the cellars of the brewer- mayor.Soon the joy was not only experienced by its listeners but also by its members. Already from its foundation onwards, thecandidate musicians flocked in and still nowadays 'De Volksvreugd' can take pride in having more than 100 members in itsyouth orchestra, having a drum band, an ambiance band and a wind band. Participation in tattoo and competitions ensuresan excellent musical level. Moreover musicians of all ages feel like family. For the previous 100 years 'De Volksvreugd' has'proven' to bring joy to the people and by the people. The chant 'Long live the Volksvreugd/ People's Joy' clearly provesits popularity.This energetic and festive composition has a very recognizable and powerful introduction, after which each musician ischallenged concerning technique, rhythm and ensemble playing. Also the magnificent melodic part, which Houben iswell-known for, is very melodious and intimate followed by a lyrical highlight to culminate into an energetic and rhythmicalfinal. Ideal for any concert!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£159.99Carnival - Thomas Doss
This work was commissioned by Marktmusik Timelkam to celebrate its 170th anniversary. It describes the cultural life and hustle and bustle of the band's home base, the Austrian town of Timelkam. Carnival pictures a festive procession starting at the marketplace and lasting well into the night. The work features many 'carnivalesque' elements and is a joy for players to perform. There is a lot of merry activity going on in the music; people cheerily chatting in the inn; singing and dancing together and having fun. There is also room for a melancholy mood, accompanied by reminiscences about eternal goodbyes and searching for love. With the added musical representation of children's playing and pranks, a beautiful sunrise as well as a depiction of the churches and societies in town, this composition is not just an account of a carnival parade but a small portrayal of life.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£126.50Beating Beats - Jan Van der Roost
Beating Beats rhythmically is a rather special piece: more conventional metres are manipulated in such a way that the listener (without score) may be confused and even misled at various points! The 'regular four beat accents in a 4/4 measure for example are often not adhered to, giving the impression of a different metre altogether. However, at the same time it may be that some instruments do follow this "normal" 4/4 metre, thus confusing everyone - performers and listeners alike! On one hand, it is a "simple" piece with very playable and melodic themes, but their mysterious rhythmic makes it not only sound more complicated, but also makes for a greater challenge for both players and the conductor! As is mostly the case with Jan Van der Roost's works, the orchestration is both colourful and contrasting, with every section of the modern wind orchestra used equally. All in all, it's a work full of surprises with some unexpected harmonies and special melodic lines but above all, with metrical and rhythmical sure to catch you unawares!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£152.99A Midsummer Night's Dream - Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809 - 1847) composed the music for William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream at two different times. In 1826, at the age of 16, he wrote a concert overture (Op. 21). Sixteen years later, in 1842, he composed the incidental music (opus 61) for King Frederick William IV of Prussia, in which he incorporated the existing overture. The overture premiered in Stettin (then in Prussia, now Szczecin, Poland) on February 20, 1827, conducted by Carl Loewe. Mendelssohn had to travel 80 miles through a raging snowstorm to get to the concert, which became his first public appearance. The first British performance of the overture was conducted by Mendelssohn himself on June 24, 1829, at the Argyll Rooms in London. After the concert, Thomas Attwood was given the score of the overture for safekeeping, but left it in a taxi and was never found. Mendelssohn later rewrote the overture entirely from memory.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£68.80Adagio - Kevin Houben
Johannes Brahms can be considered to be one of the top composers of the nineteenth century chamber music. He was a giant in this field and an eminent successor of Beethoven and Haydn. A masterpiece from his chamber music oeuvre is the trio in Eb opus 40 for piano, violin and natural French horn.In 1865, the year of his Horn trio, Brahms's mother Christiane died. It's well known that he fostered deep feelings for her. The slow part of the Horn trio with the tempo indication Adagio Mesto (sad) can be considered as a lamentation for his mother.The first performance of the piece took place in Zrich on 28th November 1865 and it was published a year later in November 1866.In this version for Wind Band Kevin Houben stays as true as possible to the original. The result is a deep and dark orchestration of the wonderful Adagio Mesto. A challenge for any orchestra and extremely suitable as concert piece.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£102.99Three Blind Mice - Bert Appermont
This composition is based on the children's song 'Three Blind Mice', of which the melody is featured in a range of variations: in a canon, in inversion, in minor, transformed, with changing harmonisations and orchestrations, and in different times and tempi. The work consists of three continuous, contrasting movements: 1) Mouse March: The mice cheerfully set off while the original melody is presented as a march. - 2) Hymn: In a tuneful hymn, the wonderful praises of the life of mice are sung. - 3) Catch Me If You Can: In an animated chase, the farmer's wife is trying to catch the mice. Following a stirring acceleration, she cuts off their tails in accordance with the lyrics of the song. I hope this work, with its humorous touch, will be a welcome contribution to the expansion of interesting repertoire for the lower divisions. - Bert Appermont
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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