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£159.20Chasing the Mystery - Kevin Houben
Commissioned by KU Leuven on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of KU Leuven.Chasing the MysteryKevin HoubenDedicated to the Wind Orchestra Universitair Harmonieorkest (UHO) of KU Leuven.Chasing the Mystery is the final movement of the triptych Beyond the Horizon of Thought.On the occasion of KU Leuven's 600th anniversary in 2025, the university commissioned Kevin Houben to compose a new work tailored to the Universitair Symfonisch Orkest, the Universitair Harmonieorkest and the Leuvens Universitair Koor. Maud Vanhauwaert, writer-in-residence during the 2023-2024 academic year, provided a poetic libretto.With Beyond the Horizon of Thought, Kevin Houben created not only a unique anniversary composition for more than 250 student musicians. The composition also conveys a universal message that perfectly reflects the spirit of the celebrating university: keep searching, keep developing yourself and keep hoping - even in turbulent times.From a compositional perspective, the work is built around themes and motifs with a clear symbolism. Kevin Houben explains: "I use a technique in which letters are converted into musical notes - a method also used by great masters such as Bach, Bartk and Shostakovich. This musical signature forms the basis of the melodic structure. In this way, 'KUL600' is represented by the notes D - G - E - F (re - sol - mi - fa)."The composition is conceived as a triptych: three movements that flow seamlessly into one another and are performed by different orchestral formations, yet together form a single whole. The work opens with the symphony orchestra, where the thematic 'KUL600' cells are introduced and explored. In this movement, Awakening the Wonder, several highlights establish a musical connection with the following movements.In the second movement, The Urge of Search, the choir sings a cappella to the poem Het is het by Maud Vanhauwaert, in which she reflects on the tireless quest for knowledge that has characterized the university for 600 years. Classical Gregorian techniques and traditional voice leading enter into dialogue with contemporary techniques, as the singers alternately whisper, call out and proclaim.Finally, the wind orchestra introduces the third movement, Chasing the Mystery. With a searching and anticipatory character, the orchestra presents the thematic cells in soloistic fashion, based on the main melody of the choral movement. References once again appear to the rhythmic 'KUL600' cells, which ultimately culminate in a grand apotheosis. A solitary soprano saxophone opens the finale with the 'KUL600' theme in its most intimate and meditative form. The expanded choir then joins the orchestra for an impressive final chord, musically preparing KU Leuven for the next 600 years.Beyond the Horizon of Thought premiered on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 April 2025 at LUCA Campus Lemmens, and was also performed on 9 May 2025 at Concertgebouw Brugge on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of KU Leuven. More than 250 musicians from the Universitair Symfonisch Orkest (USO) conducted by Edmond Saveniers, the Leuvens Universitair Koor (LUK) conducted by Kevin Hendrickx, and the Universitair Harmonieorkest (UHO) conducted by Erwin Scheltjens shared the stage.Cover illustration design: Grotezk Studio.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99For Whom the Bell Tolls - Philip Sparke
For Whom the Bells Tolls was commissioned by the Irish Symphonic Wind Orchestra, who gave the premiere in their 10th anniversary concert, held in the Artane School of Music, Dublin, on the 31st August 2024.The commission was funded by money raised to provide a piece which commemorated friends and members of the orchestra who had recently passed away. This prompted the choice of title, taken from the famous poem by English writer John Donne (1572 - 1631), which reminds us that the death of anyone affects us all.The work opens with an enigmatic duet between oboe and clarinet. This is taken up by the full band and leads to the work's main theme, a lyrical chorale, which builds to a passionate climax. A central section, introduced by the English horn (cue clarinet), eventually leads back to a triumphal return of the chorale on full band. The mood subsides to introduce an echo of the opening material, which brings the work to a peaceful close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£87.99Dancing on the Sand - Etienne Crausaz
Dancing on the Sand immerses us in an unmistakable oriental atmosphere. A moderate introduction underscored by percussions sets the scene. A short clarinet cadenza leads to the second part of the piece, during which an oriental dance built upon irregular rhythms develops, accelerating continuously to reach a dazzling finale. This work will undoubtedly set your concert on fire! This music forms part of the musical tale La Maldiction d'Aragne (Aragne's Curse), commissioned by the Lyre de Courtion (conductor Dominique Morel) on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£66.95Quest of the Magi - Brian Beck
The Quest of the Magi was one of the working titles for John Henry Hopkins Jr.'s famous carol, "We Three Kings." Written in 1857 for a Christmas pageant in New York City, "We Three Kings" tells the tale of the Magis' journey to find a newly born king in a faraway land and the precious gifts they brought with them. This piece focuses more on the journey of "following yonder star." Traveling across many countries in the first century was a perilous task, full of danger, thievery, and possible death, not to mention these men were traveling with some of the most precious and expensive cargo one could possess. This piece chronicles the magi acquiring myrrh, frankincense, and gold for their journey. Each treasure is represented by its own motif and woven into Hopkins' original carol. (2:45)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99NIGHT FEVER - A Tribute to the BEE GEES
Experience the glory days of disco with NIGHT FEVER - A Tribute to the BEE GEES. This spectacular medley, arranged by Wolfgang Wssner, brings the greatest hits of the legendary pop group Bee Gees back to life. Enjoy the irresistible disco beats of Night Fever, the romantic ballad How Deep Is Your Love, the iconic rhythms of Stayin' Alive, and the danceable grooves of You Should Be Dancing. Let's go back to a time of glitter, glamour and endless dancing fun!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£179.99The Planetarium - Philip Sparke
The Planetarium was commissioned by CMV Advendo Franeker to celebrate their 100th Anniversary in 2022. The inspiration for the work is the world-famous Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium in the orchestra's home town of Franeker in the Netherlands. In this continuous seven-movement work, the composer pictures the sun as well as the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Also featured throughout the work is a brief quotation from the chorale 'Psalm 150'. A work that rises above the mundane!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£168.50The Last Flower of Autumn - Philip Sparke
In this work for male voice choir and concert band, Philip Sparke aptly captures the mood of the poem The Last Flower of Autumn by Edith Sdergran (1892-1923), a Swedish-speaking Finnish poet. This solemn composition with extensive instrumentation echoes the idyllic, romantic mood of the poem, which can be understood as an allegory of human existence with all its hardships and life's inevitable difficulties.Extra Male Voice Choir parts can be ordered through edition number AMP 516-050.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£73.60The Master Plan! - Dean Jones
We all have a purpose...whether those are found in daily routines or much larger parts of our lives. Having a plan or a goal is a great way we can measure our success. Here's a small piece of music that explores 3 such elements:Covert Mission - a militaristic theme where the music conveys action and drama.Finding Someone - at some point, we share our lives with people who are special to us. The music has a more lyrical feel to help illustrate affection.Life Goals! - the strong rhythmic pattern to this section is the undertone for portraying a a sense of focus. We need to match desire with action when attempting something new - the sense of excitement and hope will need to be drawn from the music to convey this message.The music tells a compelling story of purpose, hope and passion....in the words of Col. Hannibal Smith from the A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together!"
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£73.60The Great Valor - Guillaume Détrez
The Great Valor' is a piece full of energy. Ideal for a modern concert opening, it will dazzle the public with the bright brass and the omnipresent woodwind rockets. The title of this piece is a reference to an ordeal experienced by the composer's son and which he overcame brilliantly.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£73.60West of the Mississippi - Dean Jones
There's always a sense of adventure about America that makes it a really exciting topic to write about. The 3 States that sprang to mind in bringing a piece of music together were: California, Hawaii and Texas.We start out our American journey on the West Coast....California has provided much in the way of film and music for over 100 years. Combining this sense of free expression with the 'Surfing' culture, this initial section of the piece has an easy-going, fun feel in a pop idiom. Maybe wearing some shades might be quite a good look for this section!We move even further West now to the island of Hawaii where the free and easy goes onto a new level! The use of chromatics is a feature of Hawaiian melodies and has a feel a 'sliding' between notes that somehow sums up this feel of living on a tropical island! Have some fun with this section and have a Hawaiian garland to wear!Back into the USA mainland, and the fabulous state of Texas! Here we have the concept of the old fashioned rodeo and the 'Wild West'. Even today, the culture of horses, cowboys and tales of adventure are celebrated in places such as Fort Worth. The music captures some of these themes and has a fun and enjoyment...some get your Cowboy hats at the ready and enjoy the finale!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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