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£113.30Moderate Dances - Angelo Sormani
This piece is a tribute to dance music, especially passionate, intense and meditative dance music. "Moderate Dances" is divided into three movements: a "Tango", a "Slow Waltz" and a "Bossa Nova". Each movement and each dance has its own particular characteristics but, when combined, these different rhythmic beats and times give the piece a feeling of completeness and uniformity. The Tango started to flourish in the suburbs of Buenos Aires in around 1880. There is still some doubt as to its origins, which may be Cuban (Habanera) but are probably African. It was most popular in Argentina and Brazil: here the male protagonist was originally the "gaucho" with his inseparable guitar, later to be replaced by the proud, elegant "compadre". By around 1910 the Tango had spread to Italy and France. New clubs opened, where the upper classes could watch and dance the Tango. Here the dance also underwent some rapid transformations. The exaggerated and extravagant gestures and body movements disappeared. Slow, gliding steps replaced the old rotational movements. The women's red ankle-boots and the partners "staring into each other's eyes" accentuated the erotic nature and sensuality of this dance. So much so that, in 1913, the German government banned soldiers from dancing the Tango. Those who broke the law were immediately discharged from the army. From a strictly musical perspective, the basic instruments were a flute, a harp (the diatonic harp typically played by the Indians of Paraguay) and a violin, or flute, guitar and violin or even clarinet, guitar and violin. These instruments were easy to transport, ideal for playing at parties, in the streets and in courtyards. The musicians played by ear, frequently improvising: there were no scores, no records, which is the main reason why it is impossible to trace the Tango back to its exact origins. However, the Tango's evolution (and growing popularity) was once again fostered by its fundamental ability to absorb "other" cultures, languages and sounds. And it was the arrival of the "bandoneon" (an accordion-like instrument that was invented in Germany and brought to Rio de la Plata by some immigrant), which replaced the flute, that marked the beginning of the Tango's huge success outside Argentina. A number of talented composers, above all the great Astor Piazzola (1921-1992), transformed the bandoneon from a simple accompanying instrument to a solo instrument that was to become the distinguishing feature of the 20th century Tango. The Slow Waltz originated from the Waltz, the typical dance of the Bavarian and Tyrolese peasants in the 1700s. It was composers like Johann Strauss, father and son, who carried the Waltz to its zenith in the 1800s, creating the sensual and melancholy yet joyful and charming dance we are all familiar with. When the Waltz first became popular in Germany, the members of respectable society were shocked at the closeness of the dancing partners, who had always previously danced apart. The main difference between the Waltz and Slow Waltz is that the latter has a slower, more expressive rhythm: the men wear tails and the women wear ball gowns decorated with beads and feathers and couples dance in graceful rotational movements. "Bossa Nova" is the title of the last movement in the piece. Jobim, the great Brazilian musician, described this musical genre as a combination of modern Jazz and Samba. Bossa Nova means "new wave". This was the name of the artistic and musical movement that evolved in Brazil in the late Fifties and was extremely popular throughout the Sixties. The songs are usually about love or social matters, drawing inspiration from the slums of Rio De Janeiro and the lives of their inhabitants. Bossa Nova, with its original compositions and the artistic talent of its musicians, also became hugely popular in the United States and Europe, and top Jazz musicians (Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Bob Cooper, Charlie Bird, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Dizzy Gillespie) started to include Bossa in their repertoires.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£79.50The Empire Strikes Back (Finale) - John Williams
We leave the cares of our troubled world and escape to a distant galaxy where we are enveloped in one of the most captivating ongoing adventures of all time. The continuing Star Wars saga crosses all barriers of generations. FromThe Empire Strikes Back comes this charismatic medley. Titles include: Star Wars (Main Theme), The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme), Yoda's Theme, Han Solo and the Princess, andi May The Force Be With You.Thoroughly entertaining! (Duration 6:39)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£129.50Goddess of Fire - Steven Reineke
A magnificent programmatic work for symphonic band that is an offering to Pele, the Goddess of Hawaii's volcanoes. The work opens with primordial, mysterious sounds representing the foreboding volcanoes of Hawaii. We are then introduced to Pele as a tall, beautiful young woman. This is one of the forms she can take and it represents her powers of creation and beauty. This gives way to the active and destructive Pele, often taking the form of an old woman, wrinkled and bent with age. The following lyrical section of the piece is the full statement of Pele's theme of creation and beauty. As this theme settles, we begin to hear the ground pop and crack letting us know that new lava is beginning to bubble and flow. Suddenly and violently, one of her volcanoes erupts, creating massive chaos and destruction. After the eruption subsides, Pele's theme of creation and beauty returns again. A wonderful addition to any concert or festival performance by mature bands. Exceptional in every respect!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£102.99
Attila - Olivier Boreau
Around 400 AD, Atilla and the Huns together with some other Germanic tribes had gathered at the borders of Western Europe to drive away the Romans. The geographic displacement of people that resulted from this movement determined the layout of Europe as we know it today. With this spectacular piece, we are proud to present to you for the first time French composer Olivier Boreau, who was the winner at a major composition competition with this work.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£202.99Avalon - Jan Van der Roost
The magical world of King Arthur, Merlin and Mordred is the setting for Avalon. Unexpected opening figures portray the sudden entrance into another world. A choral-like melody represents the procession of ghosts headed by the mighty magician Merlin. Suddenly, ostinato figures and bi-tonal motifs indicate the attempt of Mordred and his horde to disturb the peace and quiet in the otherwise calm Avalon. Following a powerful statement of King Arthur, we hear a glissando referring back to the opening bars, and... we are back in the normal world. The journey through the underworld has come to an end and the dream is over.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99Queen Greatest Hits
Queen Greatest Hits is a veritable feast of fantastic melodies from one of the worlds largest supergroups. Includes: 'Bohemain Rhapsody', 'Another One Bites the Dust', 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love', 'We Will Rock You' and 'We Are the Champions'. Queen at their best!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£72.99Wind Power - Robert Buckley
In this impressive piece, the title Wind Power can refer either to the various machines that are driven by the wind, or the soaring sound of a wind band. In a cinematic style, this work opens powerfully with a series of tone clusters followed by a constantly moving series of notes depicting the ebb and flow of the wind. Then we are soaring high above the ground in a glider with only the sound of the wind keeping us aloft. With dramatic shifts in dynamics along with pulsing rhythms, this piece is a fun challenge for all members of the ensemble. Dur: ca. 5:00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99Queen Symphonic Highlights
The British rock band Queen, formed in 1970, are one of the most popular bands of all time. The music of Queen already exists in numerous instrumental arrangements at all kinds of levels. However, arranger Philip Sparke has taken a unique approach: he has created an exceptional medley in a challenging, symphonic style from four of their greatest hits: 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Bicycle Race', 'Who Wants to Live Forever' and 'We Are the Champions'.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£60.99The Willow Tree - Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin
Although this haunting tune has the flavor and sentiment of a traditional Irish folk song, it was composed in 1995 by multifaceted artist Pdraign N Uallachin. Her inspiration for the song was the idea that when we are happy or sad, the elements and the natural world are aligned with our feelings. From the wistful lyrics of the song; Down by the river there's a tall willow tree, who weeps all night for you and me. This evocative setting for band follows this sentiment through peaks and valleys of sound and emotion. Dur: 3:10
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£50.50
Six Tone Builders, Set 2
After the enormous success of his first set of tone builders, we are pleased to include a second set of short arrangements and chorales. These are perfect to work on band balance and intonation, and Lloyd Conley has included slight chromaticism to help bands solve many different types of intonation problems. This is an ideal resource for all elementary and middle school directors looking to develop the sound of their ensemble.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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