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£210.80The Pied Piper of Hamelin (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Schwarz, Otto M.
Stories, sagas and legends--who among us don't know them? Always delivered with a tinge of brutality, these cautionary tales are a legacy of moral education from times past: inquisitive children alone in the forest are generally eaten by a witch; the 'Soup-Kasper' of Hoffmann's Struwwelpeter dies from starvation rather than eating his soup; anyone letting in strangers usually gets devoured; anyone who plays with matches gets burned; and thumb-suckers get their thumbs cut off. The list of unfortunate demises is almost endless.In the tale of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, parents lose their children through greed, ridicule, scorn and a failure to appreciate art. There is still a street in the town of Hamelin in which neither drumming nor playing has not been allowed since 130 children disappeared into a mountain, never to be seen again. This composition by Otto M. Schwarz opens with exactly this scene, taking us back to the year 1284. As in many towns at the time, Hamelin in Germany suffered with hygiene problems--rats and mice began to multiply rapidly, and the town was overrun with the plague. There appeared a man dressed in colourful clothes who promised the locals to free them from this burden. They agreed and settled on a fee. Then the man pulled out a pipe and began to play. When the rats and mice heard this, they followed him. He led the animals into the Weser River, where they all drowned. Back in town, the people refused to pay him. They didn't recognise this man's skills and knowledge and were only prepared to pay for simple labour. A pact with the devil was made, which led to the Pied Piper leaving the town in a furious rage. One Sunday, when many people were at church, he returned, took out his flute and began to play. The town's children were so enchanted by his playing that they followed him. He led them out of the town and disappeared with them forever into a mountain forever. Of all the children, only two survived--however one was mute, and one was blind. In the street from which the children left Hamelin, music may no longer be played in memory of this event. The work may be performed in two different versions: 1. Purely instrumental (without narrator)--the GPs (pauses) must be kept short 2. With narrator--he speaks in the GPs but not during the music.Duration: 14.15
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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£37.95The Year of the Dragon (Prestige Concert Band - Score only) - Sparke, Philip
The 2017 version of The Year of the Dragon was commissioned by the Siena Wind Orchestra and given its world premiere on June 17th 2017 in Bunkyo Civic Hall, Tokyo, conducted by the composer.The original wind band arrangement of The Year of the Dragon was made in 1985, a year after the composer wrote the brass band version. At that time he was still learning the intricacies of writing for wind band (and still is!) and in the 32 years which have elapsed since then, his approach to scoring for the medium has developed and, hopefully, improved.Here are the main differences between the two versions:In the 1980's, the wind band movement was much less international than it is now. British wind bands were still to some extent based on the military band tradition of the time, which tended to use rather smaller instrumentation than the then-dominant American university model. The new version embraces a much more international instrumentation, including low woodwinds and string bass, as well as an expanded percussion section.In the original version there was a touch of naivety in the way the composer wrote for the woodwinds; much of their articulation was transferred too literally from the brass version, resulting in some unidiomatic writing, which he has tried to improve in the new version.In addition to the above, Philip's own compositional style has matured and developed in the intervening 32 years. There are some passages in the original which he simply would not write today - not because they are 'wrong', but because his way of writing has changed. The new version is perhaps how he would have written it today, rather than simply dressing the original version in new clothes.The work is in three movements:Toccata opens with an arresting side drum figure and snatches of themes from various sections of the band, which try to develop until a broad and powerful theme from the middle of the band asserts itself. A central dance-like section soon gives way to the return of this theme, which subsides until faint echoes of the opening material fade to a close.Interlude takes the form of a sad and languid solo for alto saxophone. A chorale for the whole band introduces a brief spell of optimism but the saxophone solo returns to close the movement quietly.Finale is a real tour-de-force for the band with a stream of rapid semi-quavers running throughout the movement. The main theme is heroic and march-like but this is interspersed with lighter, more playful episodes. A distant fanfare to the sound of bells is introduced and this eventually returns to bring the work to a stirring close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£199.95
The Year of the Dragon (Prestige Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
The 2017 version of The Year of the Dragon was commissioned by the Siena Wind Orchestra and given its world premiere on June 17th 2017 in Bunkyo Civic Hall, Tokyo, conducted by the composer.The original wind band arrangement of The Year of the Dragon was made in 1985, a year after the composer wrote the brass band version. At that time he was still learning the intricacies of writing for wind band (and still is!) and in the 32 years which have elapsed since then, his approach to scoring for the medium has developed and, hopefully, improved.Here are the main differences between the two versions:In the 1980's, the wind band movement was much less international than it is now. British wind bands were still to some extent based on the military band tradition of the time, which tended to use rather smaller instrumentation than the then-dominant American university model. The new version embraces a much more international instrumentation, including low woodwinds and string bass, as well as an expanded percussion section.In the original version there was a touch of naivety in the way the composer wrote for the woodwinds; much of their articulation was transferred too literally from the brass version, resulting in some unidiomatic writing, which he has tried to improve in the new version.In addition to the above, Philip's own compositional style has matured and developed in the intervening 32 years. There are some passages in the original which he simply would not write today - not because they are 'wrong', but because his way of writing has changed. The new version is perhaps how he would have written it today, rather than simply dressing the original version in new clothes.The work is in three movements:Toccata opens with an arresting side drum figure and snatches of themes from various sections of the band, which try to develop until a broad and powerful theme from the middle of the band asserts itself. A central dance-like section soon gives way to the return of this theme, which subsides until faint echoes of the opening material fade to a close.Interlude takes the form of a sad and languid solo for alto saxophone. A chorale for the whole band introduces a brief spell of optimism but the saxophone solo returns to close the movement quietly.Finale is a real tour-de-force for the band with a stream of rapid semi-quavers running throughout the movement. The main theme is heroic and march-like but this is interspersed with lighter, more playful episodes. A distant fanfare to the sound of bells is introduced and this eventually returns to bring the work to a stirring close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£73.50Memor Vita! (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Karrick, Brant
There is nothing more precious on this Earth than human life, and every day we wake up to start a new day, we choose how to live our own. Memor Vita! is a musical celebration of life, particularly remembering the life of Zachary Joseph Heringer. Zach was diagnosed with cancer when he was 10 years old. He remained positive throughout the many months of treatments and had strong hopes of being cured. He was a vivacious boy who loved sports, the outdoors, and playing the trumpet in band. He was also an excellent student. He was looking forward to joining his high school band with his older sister, Beth, and his friends. However, the cancer continued to spread and at the age of 14, Zach passed away. He fought his cancer with faith, compassion, and an attitude to never give up, and his steadfast optimism left an indelible impression on all who knew him.Duration: 6.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£68.00Requiem Aeternam (from Edgar) (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Puccini, Giacomo - De Meij, Johan
Giacomo Puccini was commissioned to write a second opera after the resounding success of his first, Le Villi. However, the original four-act, grand opera Edgar, to a libretto by Ferdinando Fontana, received a rather lukewarm reception at its premiere in La Scala in Milan in 1889. Initially, the work was only performed three times. Of all the planned performances in the subsequent two years, only one took place, in Lucca, Puccini's birthplace. There, the work was well received. Nevertheless, the composer decided to make drastic changes to Edgar the most radical being the reduction of the opera to three acts, as well as altering a few arias, characters and instrumental parts. In its revised form, the work was even less popular than before. The discarded fourth act later provided material for Tosca (the duet Amoro sol' per te), but Puccini never felt the need to defend Edgar as he did other less fortunate operas, such as La Rondine and Suor Angelica. On a piano excerpt for his female friend Sybil Seligman he even corrupted the title to 'E Dio ti Guarda da quest' opera' (may God preserve you from this opera). This did not prevent Arturo Toscanini performing the Requiem from the third act at Puccini's funeral in Milan Cathedral on 3 December 1924. The Requiem in the third act is being played when the long funeral procession carries the alleged body of Edgar, the confused young man hesitating between the love of the virtuous Fidelia and the exotic Tigrana. The mass hails Edgar as a hero, but a monk claims that he has betrayed his country for a few gold pieces. When the soldiers try to desecrate the body, they discover that the armor contains none. The monk reveals himself as Edgar. He wants to leave with his faithful Fidelia, but the vengeful Tigrana stabs him and kills Fidelia. Edgar grieves over the lifeless body of his beloved, while Tigrana is arrested and the people submerge into prayer. Duration: 3.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£175.0060 Warm-Up Chorales (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Cesarini, Franco
During his experience as a band conductor and teacher of wind orchestra conducting at university, Franco Cesarini has dealt with the topic of warm-ups very frequently. Throughout these long years of conducting he has had the opportunity to try many existing methods, evaluating their advantages and disadvantages. After a long time, he has decided to compile a collection of chorales for warm-ups, which are organised according to the criteria that he considers most effective. While working on his60 Warm-up Chorales for Concert Band, Franco Cesarini has always borne in mind that amateur musicians play for pleasure. He feels that it is extremely important that they have satisfaction at every moment of the rehearsal and not to start the rehearsal with needless "punishing" exercises. Nobody is really motivated to start playing with scales, long notes, or tricky rhythmical exercises. There is often a distinguished absentee in band rehearsals, namely music itself! Although this publication does not foresee a specific tempo for the chorales, they should often be performed rather slowly but without dragging. Dynamics are not indicated, so that the conductor has the opportunity to draw the attention of the musicians to his gestures and to make them react according to his indications. Timpani and bell parts have been added with the aim of not leaving the percussionists completely inactive during the warm-up phase, but can also be omitted. The chorales are written in four parts (SATB) and are also playable in smaller groups. The four voices can be played in different combinations of woodwinds or brass quartets or in mixed combinations. The collection includes ten chorales for the following keys: D flat major, A flat major, E flat major, B flat major, F major and C major. With his 60 Warm-up Chorales Franco Cesarini would like to convey the message to play the chorales in a musical way, thus raising the musicians' awareness of phrasing, the right interpretation of cadences, rubato and agogic. Above all, never do anything without putting the musical aspect in the foreground. 60 Warm-up Chorales for Concert Band: A perfect collection to warm-up and improve tuning of a concert band!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£75.00Once in Royal David's City (Concert Band with Optional Choir - Score and Parts) - Noble & Willcocks
Once in Royal David's City is a Christmas carol originally written as a poem by Cecil Frances Alexander. The carol was first published in 1848 in her hymnbook Hymns for Little Children. A year later, the English organist Henry John Gauntlett discovered the poem and set it to music. According to The New Oxford Book of Carols, the text was conceived by Cecil Alexander after overhearing a group of her god children complaining about the dreariness of the catechism. Cecil masterfully took doctrines from the Apostle's Creed and simplified them for her hymns. Cecil wrote about 400 hymns in her lifetime, among which are All things bright and beautiful and There Is a Green Hill Far Away. She used the money for charitable purposes, and was a tireless advocate (and visitor) of the poor and sick. Henry John Gauntlett had spent the first half of his career as a lawyer before abandoning his practice to pursue music. He served as the organist at a number of leading London churches. Gauntlett was a prolific writer and is said to have composed over 1000 hymn tunes. He made tremendous contributions to the world of music, even inventing mechanical improvements to the organ. As a result, he was praised by the famous Felix Mendelssohn and was awarded an honorary doctorate in music from the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1919, Arthur Henry Mann, organist at King's College (1876-1929), introduced an arrangement of Once in Royal David's City as the processional hymn for the service. In his version, the first stanza is sung unaccompanied by a boy chorister. The choir and then the congregation join in with the organ on succeeding stanzas. This has been the tradition ever since. It is a great honor to be the boy chosen to sing the opening solo--a voice heard literally around the world. In this arrangement for band accompaniment, the first five verses may be performed as directed by the conductor, with different groupings of instruments for each verse, i.e., Vs.1, A cappella; Vs. 2, Fl., Oboe, E.H., Bsns; Vs. 3 Cl., Saxes; Vs. 4, Brass; Vs. 5, All, and Vs. 6 as written with featured descant. This arrangement is one of the Series of Band Arrangements compatible with the David Willcocks Carols for Choir, Book 2 (#31).
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99Galileo (Concert Band - Score and Parts)
For this spirited concert march, the creative and lively mind of the great Italian mathematician, physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei, who lived from 1564 to 1642, served as a source of inspiration. Galileo was the founder of experimental thinking in physics, and he made numerous discoveries and formulated many useful theories in this field. His reluctance to unquestioningly accept established authorities and ideas was also typical of his inventive mind. Moreover, Galileo was more accessible to the common people. He tried to encourage them to think for themselves, and he published his research results in the form of dialogues that were easy to understand. This accessible concert march - a suitable homage to Galileo - builds a bridge between the musician and the listener. 06:10
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£115.00Duet from Don Carlo (Trombone or Euphonium Duet with Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Verdi, Giuseppe - De Meij, Johan
Don Carlo was originally written (title Don Carlos) as a French five-actor for the 1867 world exhibition in Paris. Later, Verdi transformed this improant grand opera into a four-acter in Italian. With its many leitmotifs, Don Carlo was 'too Wagnerian' according to French critics, although Verdi hardly knew the music by his German colleage. For the record, the composer was not happy either with the 'lifeless and cold' performance in Paris, and the drama, concerning Charles V, Philip II and crown price Don Carlo, found its way to La Scala only twenty years later. This duet, arranged by Johan de Meij, originates from the second act. While monks pray for the soul of Emperor Charles V, his grandson Don Carlo takes the stage, tormented by the fact that the woman he loves is now married to his father. Carlo's friend Rodrigo, the Margquis of Posa, has just returned from Flanders. He asks crown prince Carlo to help him ease the oppression and suffering of the Flemish people. Carlo reveals his secret: he is in love with his stepmother. Rodrigo advises him to leave Spain and to go to Flanders. The two men vow to be friends forever in the duet Dio, che nell' alma infondere (God, who wishes to instil love and hope in our souls). Duration: 4.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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