Results
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£91.99The Sun Will Rise Again (Concert Band - Score & Parts) - Sparke, Philip
The composer writes:On March 11th 2011 a massive 9.0- magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of north-eastern Japan. I'm writing these programme notes barely a week later and the death toll caused by the quake and resulting tsunami already exceeds 6000, with thousands of people still unaccounted for. I have many friends associated with many bands throughout Japan and one of these, Yutaka Nishida, suggested I write a piece to raise money to help those affected by the disaster. I was immediately attracted by the idea and have arranged Cantilena (a brass band piece recently commissioned by the Grenland International Brass Festival, Norway) for wind band, giving it a new title to honour my friends in the Land of the Rising Sun. I will be donating royalties from this piece to the Japanese Red Cross Society Emergency Relief Fund and am delighted to say that my distributors, De Haske, who will generously also donate all net profits from sales of this piece, have pledged a substantial advance payment to the Red Cross so that what little help this project generates can be immediate. It is my sincere wish that this 'Band Aid' project will allow wind bands around the world support the people of Japan, where bands are a way of life for many, in this difficult time.- Philip SparkeDuration: 4:30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£124.95SWORD AND THE CROWN, The (Prestige Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Gregson, Edward
In 1988 I was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company to write the music for The Plantagenets trilogy, directed by Adrian Noble in Stratford-upon-Avon. These plays take us from the death of Henry V to the death of Richard III. Later, in 1991, I wrote the music for Henry IV parts 1 and 2, again in Stratford. All of these plays are concerned with the struggle for power (the crown) through the use of force (the sword) and they portray one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the British monarchy.This work quickly became established in the mainstream repertoire and has received performances worldwide as well as five commercial recordings and many broadcasts. In 2002 I was approached by the Parc and Dare Band regarding their summer festival and commissioned to do a version for brass band. This was given its first performance in Treorchy Hall by the combined bands of Black Dyke and Parc and Dare conducted by Nicholas Childs.When the Royal Air Force Music Services commissioned me to write a work especially for their British tour in 1991 I immediately thought of turning to this music and transforming some of it into a three-movement suite for symphonic band.The first movement opens with a brief fanfare for two antiphonal trumpets (off-stage), but this only acts as a preface to a Requiem aeternam (the death of Henry V) before changing mood to the English army on the march to France; this subsides into a French victory march, but the English army music returns in counterpoint. Finally, a brief reminder of the Requiem music leads to the triumphal music for Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, father of Edward IV and Richard III (the opening fanfare transformed).The second movement takes music from the Welsh Court in Henry IV (part 1) which is tranquil in mood; distant fanfares foreboding battles to come are heard, but the folktune is heard three times in different variations and the movement ends as it began with alto flute and gentle percussion.The final movement starts with two sets of antiphonally placed timpani, drums and tam-tam, portraying the 'war machine' and savagery of battle. Trumpet fanfares and horn calls herald an heroic battle theme which, by the end of the movement, transforms itself into a triumphant hymn for Henry IV's defeat of the rebellious forces.- Edward GregsonPerformance time 13'54"Recorded on QPRM117D FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 1991, Massed Bands of the Royal Air ForceRecorded on QPRM120D THE SWORD AND THE CROWN, Central Band of the Royal Air Force'Finale' recorded on QPRM142D FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 2002, Massed Bands of the Royal Air Force)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£140.00Capriccio (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Holst, Gustav - Noble, Paul
The following notes have been excerpted by the arranger from those presented in the Introduction by Imogen Holst, daughter of Gustav Holst: Holst wrote this work in the spring of 1932, while he was guest Lecturer in Composition at Harvard University. He had been asked by Nathaniel Shilkret to write 'a short radio piece, not longer than five or six minutes.' for a composers' series on folk music themes. Holst wrote to me on 13 May 1932, saying: 'On May 1 I started sketching a piece for Shilkret's Radio jazz band in New York. I finished the sketch on the 4th and the full score on the 8th... Shilkret wanted something on American airs but I've left them out because I prefer my own so he may reject the thing.' Shilkret was enthusiastic about the piece, but he was unable to use it for his series. 'I hate to give it up,' he told the composer, 'but I cannot play it because it is not based on a definite English or American folk theme.' Holst never revised his hurriedly-written work, probably because he had too many other things to write during the remaining two years of his life, when he was having to spend a good deal of his time in hospital. The autograph manuscript of his original full score is in the British Library, MS Add.47833. The work had no name: Holst referred to it either as his 'Jazz band piece' or as 'Mr. Shilkret's Maggot.' The score needed editing. There were gaps and patches, with incomplete dynamics and phrase marks. I made the version for orchestra and named it 'Capriccio' in spite of the viola's (now saxophone's) expressive opening, because from the moment of the marimba's first animated remark there can be no doubt about the mood of the music. - Imogen Holst (1968)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£36.95The Red Kite (Euphonium Solo with Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Wiffin, Rob
At one time the Red Kite was close to national extinction in the UK but now it is possible to admire this distinctive bird of prey with its red colouring and forked tail. I love watching it soaring so gracefully through the sky. I attempted to catch that feeling in this solo composed for Martin Smith. In writing it I had in mind making the euphonium glide solitary and effortlessly, occasionally swooping down then reclaiming its high altitude.To create the desired atmosphere, I avoided too many root position chords and enhanced the feeling of floating by adding notes to a lot of the harmony, giving it subtle colour. The harmonic rhythm is slow but the movement switches in the way that the Red Kite can make slight changes of direction by minor adjustments of its tail. On top of this accompaniment the soloist is left to sing with a sense of grace and freedom.- Rob WiffinDuration: 3.45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£242.50Labyrinth for Symphonic Band (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Aagaard-Nilsen, Torstein
I wrote Labyrinth to celebrate the 450th anniversary for the city of Fredrikstad. The Danish king Fredrik II agreed to establish a new town further down the river Glomma, to make it easier to defend from the Swedes. The piece is a network of quotations mixed with my own pitch material. My versions of the quoted melodies are not authentic, and sometimes hard to recognize. However, the different quotations give the music an aura of tonality. For example, a dance tune composed by the Flemish composer Mattheus Le Maistre (1505-1577). The melody also occurs in the first danish book of hymns written after the reformation. Since Norway for 400 years was a part of Denmark and everybody had to write and read Danish, they used much of the same music, too. I also use regular Danish hymn tunes and quote from a religious folk song from the area around Fredrikstad. The military signals I use are authentic (for example, The Old Danish March), and I am very sure they were used in the Old Town (the fortress) of Fredrikstad. The drums quote from The Downfall of Paris. This could have been heard played by professional soldiers hired by the Swedes from Scotland. This edition is a revised version made in 2020. - Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen. Duration: 23.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£164.95Euphonium Concerto (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Ellerby, Martin
This Euphonium Concerto was written between late 1994 and early 1995 in response to a commission from Steven Mead to whom the work is dedicated. It is cast in four movements and lasts a little over 22 mins:I. Fantasy: After the briefest of introductions, the solo euphonium enters with the key melodic phrase of the movement in a fast 'Tempo I'. This idea is developed up to the point where a slower 'Tempo II' breaks the argument - here the mood is reflective but it is only to be a brief interruption as 'Tempo I' returns very quickly. The opening material is then subjected to further transformation with 'Tempo II' making occasional returns en route, the distances between the contrasting tempi becoming ever closer, and the movement closes in a rather soft though definite manner.II. Capriccio: This relatively short presto movement forms a bridge between the first movement and the work's slow movement. The majority of the band parts are bright and muted with the percussion players enhancing the texture with contributions from xylophone, glockenspiel and vibraphone. Again the initial solo euphonium phrase provides the basis for almost all the movement's material. This is extremely virtuosic for the soloist and band alike and makes great play of the rhythmic possibilities of combining simple and compound music either in close proximity or together.III. Rhapsody (for Luis): A Lento movement, sitting between two different but essentially rapid ones, this provides the work's emotional core exploiting the soloist's cantabile qualities in an almost seamless fashion. Again, as will all the work's movements, the initial idea paves the way for subsequent development, eventually culminating in a passionate climax; thereafter it winds down with an affectionate backward glance towards the close of the the slow movement of the Euphonium Concerto of Joseph Horovitz, whose mark had been made indelibly on the euphonium repertoire. This movement is dedicated to Luis Maldonado who set the full score of the brass version before his untimely death.IV. Diversions: The work's variation finale is cast in 3/4 throughout though the barline is often a guideline and was seen by the composer as a challenge of metrical restraint! There is an obvious jazz feel to this movement (both rhythmically and harmonically) with a swaggering ritornello theme first announced by the solo euphonium. Thereafter follows a series of interludes and 'adjusted' returns of the main theme. A lyrical idea is allowed to enter but the underlying momentum is ever present. The band also contributes to the interludes and eventually the tempo increases towards a 'wild' and absolute conclusion.Duration: 22.30Recorded on QPRM143D Dreamscapes, Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£32.95
Euphonium Concerto (Concert Band - Score only) - Ellerby, Martin
This Euphonium Concerto was written between late 1994 and early 1995 in response to a commission from Steven Mead to whom the work is dedicated. It is cast in four movements and lasts a little over 22 mins:I. Fantasy: After the briefest of introductions, the solo euphonium enters with the key melodic phrase of the movement in a fast 'Tempo I'. This idea is developed up to the point where a slower 'Tempo II' breaks the argument - here the mood is reflective but it is only to be a brief interruption as 'Tempo I' returns very quickly. The opening material is then subjected to further transformation with 'Tempo II' making occasional returns en route, the distances between the contrasting tempi becoming ever closer, and the movement closes in a rather soft though definite manner.II. Capriccio: This relatively short presto movement forms a bridge between the first movement and the work's slow movement. The majority of the band parts are bright and muted with the percussion players enhancing the texture with contributions from xylophone, glockenspiel and vibraphone. Again the initial solo euphonium phrase provides the basis for almost all the movement's material. This is extremely virtuosic for the soloist and band alike and makes great play of the rhythmic possibilities of combining simple and compound music either in close proximity or together.III. Rhapsody (for Luis): A Lento movement, sitting between two different but essentially rapid ones, this provides the work's emotional core exploiting the soloist's cantabile qualities in an almost seamless fashion. Again, as will all the work's movements, the initial idea paves the way for subsequent development, eventually culminating in a passionate climax; thereafter it winds down with an affectionate backward glance towards the close of the the slow movement of the Euphonium Concerto of Joseph Horovitz, whose mark had been made indelibly on the euphonium repertoire. This movement is dedicated to Luis Maldonado who set the full score of the brass version before his untimely death.IV. Diversions: The work's variation finale is cast in 3/4 throughout though the barline is often a guideline and was seen by the composer as a challenge of metrical restraint! There is an obvious jazz feel to this movement (both rhythmically and harmonically) with a swaggering ritornello theme first announced by the solo euphonium. Thereafter follows a series of interludes and 'adjusted' returns of the main theme. A lyrical idea is allowed to enter but the underlying momentum is ever present. The band also contributes to the interludes and eventually the tempo increases towards a 'wild' and absolute conclusion.Duration: 22.30Recorded on QPRM143D Dreamscapes, Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£174.99Two Symphonic Interludes Wind Band Set (Score & Parts)
Based on the poems by German poet Carl Hauptmann (late Romanticism) and the English poet William Wordsworth (early Romanticism). Carl Hauptmann was in poor health as a child, but highly intelligent. He studied philosophy, psychology and biology. In the latter he was admitted to the degree of doctor. His marriage provided financial independence, so that he could focus on his studies. Hauptmann wrote various novels, plays, poetry and scientific works. Night Twilight floats above the valley's night mists are hanging, there's a whispering brook. Now the covering veil is lifting quite: come and look! See the magic land before our gaze: tall as dreams the silver mountains stand, crossed by silent silver paths shining from a secret land. Noble, pure, the dreaming country sleeps. By the path the shadow black and hogh of a beach. a wisp of a white smoke creeps to the dark'ning sky. Where the valley is the darkest hued countless little lights shine silently. O my soul! Drink of solitude! Carl Hauptmann Wordsworth 'introduced' a new type of poetry, based on the speech of the common man. This was his answer to the poetry of the classicism which was bound by rigid rules. His definition of poetry was: the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings from emotions recollected in tranquility. My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky: So was it when my life began. So is it now I am a man. So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die! The Child is father of the Man. And I could wish my days to be Bound each to each by natural piety. William Wordsworth In a truly poetic manner Harrie Janssen has transformed the contemplative thoughts of the poets into two compositions for Concert Band. 10:45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£36.95Remember Me (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Purcell, Henry - Wiffin, Rob
An arrangement for wind band of Purcell's haunting Dido's Lament. This arrangement was made in the period of national mourning following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I needed something as a reflective concert piece and chose to arrange Dido's Lament - the aria "When I am laid in earth" from the opera Dido and Aeneas by the English composer Henry Purcell (1659-1695). There have been various versions of this beautiful song from Stokowski's lush orchestration to Annie Lennox's more lateral slant. While not wanting to try and completely emulate the original, I did not want to stray too far from it. Purcell's style of Baroque music was uniquely English and, for the theoretically minded, this aria makes exemplary use of the passus duriusculus in the ground bass.- Rob WiffinDuration: 3.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£115.00BOHEMIAN DANCES (Concert Band) - Woolfenden, Guy
Includes:1. Shepherds and Shepherdesses2. Florizel and Perdita3. Dance of the SatyrsOne of my favourite Shakespeare plays is The Winter's Tale, and I have written music for three completely different productions during my time as Head of Music to the Royal Shakespeare Company. One, starring Judi Dench as both the mother, Hermione and her daughter, Perdita, had a big band Tribal Love-Rock score; another had a more classical, but timeless feel to it, and the last was an excellent small-scale touring production, for which I was allowed only a handful of instruments. It is from this source that the basic themes for Bohemian Dances, and an earlier version Three Dances for Clarinet Choir, have emerged. Act IV of the play is set in the kingdom of Bohemia - hence the title of the work.Shakespeare calls for "A Dance of Shepherds and Shepherdesses", which gives Florizel, the son of Polixenes, (King of Bohemia) a chance to become better acquainted with the beautiful Perdita, the lost daughter of Leontes, (King of Sicilia). This movement is written in seemingly tricky and ever-changing metres, but is rhythmically quite logical and melodically catchy.The slower second movement 'Florizel and Perdita' is the lovers' pas de deux: a gentle, slow waltz-like tune, initially presented by the principal oboe, is contrasted with a lndler-like double time melody, at the end of which a solo clarinet makes a link to the last movement.'Dance of the Satyrs' is a rip-roaring, foot-stamping dance performed in the play by 'three carters, three shepherds, three neat-herds, and three swine-herds', who enter in outrageous costumes representing the lecherous half-man, half-goat of Greek mythology. This dance is referred to as a "gallimaufry of gambols" - now where have I heard that word before?! - GW
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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