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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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£157.50Tam O'Shanter Overture, Op. 51 - Malcolm Arnold
This is a magnificent work! Based on a famous poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns, the overture is a tone poem which eloquently expresses the intense moods of the frightening tale told by the poet. John Paynter's wonderful arrangement for symphonic band is without question a major contribution to the literature.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£106.95
Fantasia for A King - Robert Thurston
Brilliantly scored and cleverly constructed, this treatment of the familiar Christmas Carol Good King Wenceslas is symphonic in scope and breadth. As usual with Thurston, the harmonies re sophisticated and rhythmic interest is maintained with shifting meters and accents. Every player seems to get a variant of the tune to play and the scoring a is expert and witty throughout. Duration: 4'20 Keys: Eb, Ab Range: Trumpet - A, Horn - F, Trombone - G
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£114.99Acclamation - James Curnow
An excellent work for contest and festival use! Based on the ancient hymn, All Glory, Laud and Honor, Acclamation is composed as a set of symphonic variations. After an opening fanfare and a statement of the theme, three large variations in different styles are developed. A final maestoso presentation of the principal theme is restated as a glorious acclamation. Dedicated to all those who offer their time and talents to making music!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£189.99Manhattan Pictures - Jan Van der Roost
In this colourful composition, Jan van der Roost recreates the energetic and multi-racial city life in Manhattan, using four contrasting movements. The opening movement is rather short and rhytmical. In the second "Picture", a variety of musical entities accumulate into a coloured "sound curtain", on top of which the brass section presents a broad theme. In contrast to the two previous movements, the third movement is exremely quiet, featuring the first flute, clarinet an oboe in broad melodies. Again, the orchestration plays an essential role. Following on a majestic "tutti" (almost "movie-like....) the serenity of the very beginning reappears. Finally, the nervousness anddynamic style of the two first movements come back in an exciting apotheosis with rich and sometimes surprising instrumentation which explores the multiple possibilities of the large symphonic wind band to the full.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£159.99Ponte Romano - Jan Van der Roost
This concert overture, which has the air of a symphonic poem, takes its inspiration from an ancient Roman bridge. A massive introduction, a threatening allegro and alternating virtuoso and chorale themes quickly succeed each other. Trombones and trumpets introduce a rhythmical theme which develops throughout all instrument groups. The allegro is characterised by a quasi-obsessive cadence which depicts a Roman army constantly beating time.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£76.99Tara's Theme
Max Steiner was born in Vienna in 1888, and grew up surrounded by music. He was a student of the Imperial Academy of Music, having among his teachers Gustav Mahler. In 1936 he signed an agreement with Warner. Steiner, considered the father of symphonic music in Hollywood style. One of his most famous and popular masterworks is, without any doubt, Gone with the Wind (1939). The movie was an immediate success and won ten Academy Awards. In spite of the years passed, this movie still moves young audiences around the world. Lorenzo Bocci has chosen the song Tara's Theme from this movie and turned the romantic music into an arrangement for concert band.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£139.99Lorraine - Jacob de Haan
This moving symphonic poem is about the French region of Lorraine. Since the time of the Roman Empire, Lorraine has been ruled by either Germany or France with wars redrawing national boundaries many times over the years. While its history has been bloody, folk music from the region breaks up the tension in the piece and offers many uplifting moments. An optimistic conclusion features a mixture of music from the three countries Lorraine sits between: Luxembourg, Germany and France.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£289.99Atlas Symphony - Thierry Deleruyelle
The Atlas Symphony for symphonic wind band is an impressive and subtle work, thematically complex, with a rich orchestration, but also great beauty. The composer was keen to draw a parallel between an atlas, where all the geographical maps of the world are collected in one book, and his score, which brings together all the facets of his musical style. Despite being written without any breaks, the symphony is structured around three main ideas. It is based upon a series of notes that will become the very essence of the piece, its building blocks. Like the works of composers of serial music, the series appears in different forms - melodic and harmonic, thematic or simply asan accompaniment. With its wealth of rhythms and contrapuntal power, this piece is a compelling concerto for orchestra. The Orchestre de la Police Nationale was the first to be attracted to this work and premiered it with excellence under the baton of composer Thierry Deleruyelle.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£86.00Postcard From Machu Picchu - Dirk Brossé
Sir Dirk Bross, music director at the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, is a versatile composer of orchestral and symphonic repertoire, chamber music, film & musical. His compositions are performed worldwide by the most prominent orchestras and soloists. About the new series of 10 "Musical Postcards" for wind band, Dirk says the following: "Composing is a commitment; it is my life's mission. For me composing means creating a vacuum around myself and allowing myself to be submerged by impressions. It is a continual struggle between fantasy and reality, between dream and reality. Out of chaos of sounds and emotions I try to order my thoughts by juggling shreds of melodies, original chords, striking sound colours and alternating rhythms. Melody, harmony, rhythm and sound colours are finally balanced to generate a harmonious universe. This series of ten 'Musical Postcards' are a reflection of my travels, thoughts, discoveries and musical career so far, which has brought me around the globe. I look forward to you joining me on this voyage of discovery..."
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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