Results
-
£104.00Judgement Day - Peter Knockaert
The last decades we humans have witnessed a significant number of disturbing developments. If we look at the direct and persistent destructive influence of humans on nature: air and water quality are reducing, soils are depleting, crops are short of pollinators, coasts are less protected from storms, deforestation, the degradation of land, loss of biodiversity and pollution.In stark contrast we find the intelligence and boundless creativity of humans: what about all the high technological advancements? What lies ahead in the realm of Artificial Intelligence? Will we let machines make human decisions? What ethical issues arise there?This composition reflects the desperation and urgency of the human need for action. The music draws inspiration from the brutal natural forces that ravage our world as a direct consequence of human failure and selfishness.Are we heading towards a 'Judgment Day'? Or will humanity find a way to reverse negative trends towards a more livable, peaceful, and joyful environment for humans, animals, and nature?To underscore this message, composer Peter Knockaert opted for a highly classical idiom that has been used by many composers in classical music: the 'Dies Irae'. Traditionally, the Dies Irae is the third part of a requiem (funeral mass). The text used in 'Judgment Day' (for optional choir) is coming from the original Latin text.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£123.203 Letzte Motetten - Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner (b. 4.9.1824, Ansfelden, d. 11.10.1896, Vienna) didn't have it easy. Throughout his life, the Austrian composer was plagued by self-doubt. Anton Bruckner came from a simple, rural background. After the death of his father, he was accepted as a choirboy at the monastery of Sankt Florian in 1837. After several years as a school assistant and his own organ and piano studies, he first worked as organist in St. Florian, then from 1855 as cathedral organist in Linz. Introduced to music theory and instrumentation by Simon Sechter and Otto Kitzler, he discovered Richard Wagner as an artistic role model, whom he admired throughout his life and also visited several times in Bayreuth.In 1868 Anton Bruckner became professor of basso continuo, counterpoint and organ at the Vienna Conservatory; ten years later court organist; and in 1891 finally honorary doctor of the University of Vienna. He was considered an important organ virtuoso of his era, but had to wait a long time for recognition as a composer. It was not until Symphony No.7 in E major, composed between 1881 and 1883, with the famous Adagio written under the effects of Wagner's death, that he achieved the recognition he had hoped for, even if he was reluctant to accept it given his inclination towards scepticism and self-criticism.Anton Bruckner was a loner who did not want to follow a particular school or doctrine. He composed numerous sacred vocal works, such as his three masses, the Missa Solemnis in B flat minor (1854), the Te Deum (1881-84) and numerous motets. As a symphonic composer, he wrote a total of nine symphonies and many symphonic studies from 1863 onwards, tending to revise completed versions several times over. Bruckner's orchestral works were long considered unplayable, but in fact were merely exceptionally bold for the tonal language of their time, uniting traditions from Beethoven through Wagner to folk music, on the threshold between late Romanticism and Modernism.Anton Bruckner composed about 40 motets during his lifetime, the earliest a setting of Pange lingua around 1835, and the last, Vexilla regis, in 1892.Thomas Doss has compiled some of these motets in this volume for symphonic wind orchestra.These motets show many characteristics of personal expression, especially Bruckner's colourful harmony in the earlier works, which is in places aligned with Franz Schubert (changes between major and minor; and movements in thirds). Later works are characterised by many components which, in addition to the expanded stature of the movements, include above all a sense of the instrumentation as an outward phenomenon and the harmony as a compositional feature that works more internally. Some aspects of Bruckner's work are the result of his long period of study, which familiarised him not only with the tradition of his craft, but also gave him insights into the "modernity" of his time in such composers as Wagner, Liszt and Berlioz.From this developed his personal standpoint, which always pursues the connection between the old and the new.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£105.80Magellano - Andrea Moncalvo
This composition was written on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the death of Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer (1480 - 1521), who embarked on what would have become the first circumnavigation of the globe. Unfortunately, he did not complete it because, in 1521, he was killed in the region that is today the Philippines. This adventure triggered various images in the author's mind; evocations that the composer elaborated in this piece, which is in a tripartite form (A B A) and is introduced and concluded by a solemn fanfare evoking the departure of the expedition, consisting of 5 ships with a total of 234 crewmen. The first part (Allegro) presents a main theme with a cantabile character that describes the fleet that, intrepid, plows the ocean. This initial melody is then contrasted by a more rhythmic and syncopated theme in a minor key, which instead refers to the indigenous peoples they have encountered during the journey. The central section (Adagio) is an oasis of reflection because, as in other great adventures, this too has tragic aspects: mutinies, shipwrecks, clashes with indigenous peoples, up to the disappearance of those who had desired and planned this enterprise. The last part proposes the themes of the first section but in reverse order, to describe the return to the homeland. The solemn fanfare welcomes the arrival of the Victoria, the only surviving ship with only 18 men on board, which returns to the port of departure after completing the circumnavigation of the earth in 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£129.99Canzona di Bacco - Oliver Waespi
This piece comprises a series of variations on the melody of "Ami, dans cette vie" ("Friend, in this life), an 18th century French song. Like the famous poem "Canzona di Bacco" by Lorenzo de' Medici, this song invites the listener to enjoy life, friendships, love and wine while there is still time to do so. The epicurean nature of this text contrasts with a deeply melancholic melody, a contradiction which is explored in the present work. After a somewhat turbulent first part, the original melody is revealed in a serene and pensive middle section which highlights several soloists. In the last movement, the atmosphere is transformed to become increasingly exuberant, like a Bacchus incantation. The piece concludes with a final dazzling statement of the original theme. Canzona di Bacco was commissioned by the Vesoul Municipal Wind Band, who premiered the work on 24 June 2022 at the Edwige Feuillre Theatre in Vesoul (France), under the direction of Mathieu Anguenot.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£78.50Nostradamus - Concert Band Set - Otto M. Schwarz
Nostradamus was one of humankind's greatest prophets. Many of his coded prophecies proved true. He lived at the time of the inquisition, and his predictions and medical therapies as a physician made him face consequences from the church. After he had been forced to flee several times and had lost his family to the plague, he devoted himself to clairvoyance. He wrote down many events in history in coded predictions. Although there is probably more than one possible way of interpretation, in our world, Nostradamus is still considered to be a unique personality. Whether he is degraded to a charlatan or turned into a myth, he surely has moved humankind with his prophecies. Otto M. Schwarz, soundtrack composer since 2001, wrote a cinematographic work about this man, who is probably the best-known prophet of the last 1000 years.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£78.50Leonardo - Concert Band Set - Otto M. Schwarz
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a painter, sculptor, inventor, philosopher and researcher. He is renowned as the original 'Renaissance Man'. 'I will preserve the memory of myself in the minds of others' was one of his maxims. Among his most famous works of art are the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper and the Vitruvian Man. He left an extensive collection of handwritten documents in his notebooks. These books, known as codices, survive in various volumes such as the Codex Atlanticus, Codex Madrid, Codex Trivulzianus etc.). They include sketches of ground-breaking inventions as well as studies and commentaries which span the gamut of human study. The left-handed da Vinci wrote the texts in mirror writing. Through wars and other upheavals, the documents were scattered throughout Europe and much of his work disappeared. Leonardo da Vinci wanted to leave a kind of encyclopaedia for posterity and, although it is estimated that up to 80% of his manuscripts were lost, some 6,000 individual documents survive to this day, the contents of which in many cases were only understood centuries later.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£137.70Mammoth Mountain Suite - Haakon Esplo
Mammoths were a family of elephants that, with one exception, died out at the end of the last ice age. Their closest living relative is the Asian elephant. In many places in the world one can find mammoth remains. In Norway (especially in Gudbrandsdalen), 20 discoveries of teeth and skeletal remains have been made after mammoths that lived here between 40,000 and 50,000 years ago. On cave paintings and carvings you can see many pictures of mammoths with other animals. Pictures of killed mammoths have also been found with humans. Mammoth Moutain Suite describes a bunch of hunters looking for mammoths. Imagine the majestic animals, what it felt like to see the herd in themountains and what it sounded like when the 6 ton heavy and 3.5 meter tall mammoths were on the run.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£159.99Tribute to a Maestro - Jan de Haan
Tribute to a Maestro is an homage to Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683 1764), one of the most important French Baroque composers. Rameau was a hugely significant composer, organist, harpsichordist and music teacher: he also published several authoritative books on music theory. Jan de Haan based this tribute on a theme from 'Les Sauvages' (The Savages), the fourth act of Rameau's ballet-opera, Les Indes Galantes (The Amorous Indies). The work begins with two variations, whereupon the striking theme can be heard. After a short intermezzo, four more variations follow, of which the last one is composed in Baroque style.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£102.70Faber Suite - Michele Grassani
Faber is the ancient Latin name that was used to designate artisans. The Suite, which is divided into three movements, pays tribute to them, in the hope that their activities will not completely disappear. The first movement (Maestoso) represents the carpenter who, after completing his creation admires it with satisfaction. The second movement (Adagio) describes the work of the tailor: the first part is more meditative and portrays the use of needle and thread, while the second, characterized by forceful rhythmic strettos, describes the ancient and complex use of the weighted loom. The last movement (Presto), characterized by irregular rhythms and constant changes of tempo, introduces us to a blacksmith's shop full of intense and loud metallic noises.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£169.99Leonardo - Otto M. Schwarz
Leonardo by Otto M. Schwarz is an 11-minute work for Concert Band based on the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci.Born in Italy in 1452, da Vinci was a polymath of the Renaissance period whose interests included astronomy, philosophy, science and mathematics as well as the visual arts. He is considered one of the greatest painters of all time - who does not know of his famous 'Mona Lisa' or 'The Last Supper'?Inspired by da Vinci's notebooks, or codices, this composition takes the listener on a journey through the artist's incredible career. Through his music, Schwarz brings da Vinci back to life. The listener will beable to sense the passion, and the urge for innovation that set da Vinci apart as one of the most remarkable thinkers of the 16th century.This set includes a score and parts.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
View Music