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£89.99
Toy Symphony - Leopold Mozart
Leopold Mozart (1719-1787), an Austrian composer-violinist of German extraction, was the father of the famous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Leopold Mozart was a creditable composer in his own right, as the "Toy Symphony" amply demonstrates. Bo S. Aers has given the piece a more modern feel and we wonder what Leopold Mozart would make of it now...
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£264.99
Diferencias on an Old Spanish Song - Yasuhide Ito
I am immensely happy that my Gloriosa, symphonic poem for band (1990), has been performed by so many bands in the last thirty years.During this period, the growth of the internet has made it much easier to access information.When I composed Gloriosa, I only had limited information about the period when Christianity and Western music was first introduced to Japan, and had to rely a lot on my imagination.However, nowadays, it is easy to obtain various source materials and to read interesting studies on the music of the past.In recent years, the music of Luis de Narvez (born ca.1500 - died between 1555-1560), Spanish composer and vihuela player, has become increasingly known, and several CDs of his music are now available.Narvez composed the earliest-known set of diferencias, a forerunner of the variation form. One of his works is Seys diferencias sobre el himno "O gloriosa domina" [Six diferencias on the hymn "O gloriosa domina"] (1538), based on the Spanish Marian hymn, and it was this melody I used in the first movement of my Gloriosa.Western music has been my musical roots since childhood, and throughout my career as a composer, it has continued to fascinate me. One could say that this has provided the inspiration for Diferencias on an Old Spanish Song, my own take on the diferencias form.Actually, such music from the early sixteenth century could sound fresh to our modern ears. So I decided to quote the melody from Narvez's Sey diferencias at the beginning and end of the piece, in order that people can get the feel for the period.The main section (bars 42-390) is formed of 13 diferencias, similar to the first movement of the Gloriosa.In the middle section, which begins after the eighth diferencia(from bar 187), one should be totally absorbed in the tranquility and the beauty of the music. Although it's in the style of a sarabande, it should be taken slower and played as pianissimo as possible.This is followed by folk-style dance music. (As only standard percussion instruments are used, try to be creative with tonal colours and sense of rhythm).The structure of the work is simple, but be aware of the connection between the sections when constructing the whole.Also, think about the tonality. Overall, the work is in F minor. The main section is basically in D minor, but from bar 102, it modulates to A flat minor and G minor, and then in the middle section it suddenly switches to A flat major (which is the furthest key from D minor, and the relative major of F minor). From bar 219, it modulates to F minor and then to C minor, then back to F minor by way of A minor.N.B. The Oboe II part can be substituted by the English Horn (as indicated in the parts). One can choose according to the player's skills or preference.Recent new compositions for wind band are often full of rhythm, dynamism, and tonal colour, and compositional techniques and orchestration have also evolved greatly. Yet on the other hand, they tend to feature fewer melodic or expressive elements. Since this work is the test piece for WMC Kerkrade 2022, I had to think about what "tests" or "challenges" to set, and I decided to compose something that doesn't involve a lot of technical display, but requires beautiful sounds and harmonies, and above all, musical expressivity. I didn't put many expression markings in the score, because I wanted the performers to think about how best to express this music. If it is played merely as notated, it's not going to sound very interesting.Christianity was introduced to Japan in the mid-16th century, but it was subsequently banned and Japan entered a period of national isolation, which meant that there was hardly any international exchange for two hundred years. As a result, the Christian hymns that were introduced prior to the isolation became almost unrecognizable over the centuries. This was the theme I explored in my Gloriosa thirty years ago.Now, in 2021, the whole world has been forced to "isolate" due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In such times, it seems pertinent that I've written a work using this melody again. I sincerely hope that people will be able to gather in Kerkrade in 2022.(English Translation:Nahoko Gotoh)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£59.95Haydn Seek Surprise
The familiar theme from the Andante movement of Haydn's Symphony No. 94 has been adapted for a first year band. The title, Haydn Seek Surprise, will not only make your students laugh, but will also make sure they never mispronounce Haydn again! This work is made up of an easy set of variations of the original theme, and careful attention must be given to dynamics and articulation. What a great way to get your young band acquainted with standard repertoire while still having fun!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£159.99Overture to a New Age - Jan de Haan
A new era dawns-heralded by solemn brass fanfares. What does the future hold? In his work Overture to a New Age, Jan de Haan expresses on the one hand anticipation, on the other also an awareness that things won't always be as rosy as theysometimes appear. Ultimately, however, confidence and hope win through, represented by Jan de Haan in a brilliant coda. The new age can begin!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£248.99
Odysseia - Maxime Aulio
Washed up on the Phaeacian shore after a shipwreck, Odysseus is introduced to King Alcinous. As he sits in the palace, he tells the Phaeacians of his wanderings since leaving Troy. Odysseus and his men fi rst landed on the island of the Cicones wherethey sacked the city of Ismarus. From there, great storms swept them to the land of the hospitable Lotus Eaters. Then they sailed to the land of the Cyclopes. Odysseus and twelve of his men entered the cave of Polyphemus. After the single-eyed giantmade handfuls of his men into meals, Odysseus fi nally defeated him. He got him drunk and once he had fallen asleep, he and his men stabbed a glowing spike into the Cyclop's single eye, completely blinding him. They escaped by clinging to the belliesof some sheep. Once aboard, Odysseus taunted the Cyclop by revealing him his true identity. Enraged, Polyphemus hurled rocks at the ship, trying to sink it. After leaving the Cyclopes' island, they arrived at the home of Aeolus, ruler of the winds.Aeolus off ered Odysseus a bag trapping all the strong winds within except one - the one which would take him straight back to Ithaca. As the ship came within sight of Ithaca, the crewmen, curious about the bag, decided to open it. The winds escapedand stirred up a storm. Odysseus and his crew came to the land of the cannibalistic Laestrygonians, who sank all but one of the ships. The survivors went next to Aeaea, the island of the witch-goddess Circe. Odysseus sent out a scouting party butCirce turned them into pigs. With the help of an antidote the god Hermes had given him, Odysseus managed to overpower the goddess and forced her to change his men back to human form. When it was time for Odysseus to leave, Circe told him to sail tothe realm of the dead to speak with the spirit of the seer Tiresias. One day's sailing took them to the land of the Cimmerians. There, he performed sacrifi ces to attract the souls of the dead. Tiresias told him what would happen to him next. He thengot to talk with his mother, Anticleia, and met the spirits of Agamemnon, Achilles, Patroclus, Antilochus, Ajax and others. He then saw the souls of the damned Tityos, Tantalus, and Sisyphus. Odysseus soon found himself mobbed by souls. He becamefrightened, ran back to his ship, and sailed away. While back at Aeaea, Circe told him about the dangers he would have to face on his way back home. She advised him to avoid hearing the song of the Sirens; but if he really felt he had to hear, thenhe should be tied to the mast of the ship, which he did. Odysseus then successfully steered his crew past Charybdis (a violent whirlpool) and Scylla (a multiple-headed monster), but Scylla managed to devour six of his men. Finally, Odysseus and hissurviving crew approached the island where the Sun god kept sacred cattle. Odysseus wanted to sail past, but the crewmen persuaded him to let them rest there. Odysseus passed Circe's counsel on to his men. Once he had fallen asleep, his men impiouslykilled and ate some of the cattle. When the Sun god found out, he asked Zeus to punish them. Shortly after they set sail from the island, Zeus destroyed the ship and all the men died except for Odysseus. After ten days, Odysseus was washed up on theisland of the nymph Calypso.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£76.99
Saxophones in the Light - Harm Evers
The title Saxophones in the Light describes what the piece does - it puts not one, not two, but three of your saxophones into the limelight! At the same time Harm Evers also manages to bring out the best in your concert band. This exciting and inventive piece will give all your musicians a chance to shine.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£144.99Ministry of Winds - Jacob de Haan
Ministry of Winds provides some interesting food for thought that Jacob de Haan translates into music. What if there was a Ministry of Winds? It would be in charge of the advancement and dissemination of music throughout the nation, as well as strengthening the state through music and providing its citizens with entertainment, support, comfort and joy. All these aspects are mirrored in Jacob de Haan's composition, culminating in all the joy and happiness the creation of this ministry has provided to the people.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£202.99By the River - Jan Van der Roost
Jan Van der Roost and the commissioner of this work have strong personal ties, making By the River a very personal work for both of them. The first part is pastoral and describes the rural character of what is actually an industrial region.The next movement, a dynamic allegro that creates an exciting contrast to the first. All instruments are put to good use, letting everyone have their moment in the limelight. All the interesting thematic and melodic elements Van der Roost createswill keep the audience engaged through to the very last note!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£209.99Liberty - Jan de Haan
This three-movement work is a tribute to French sculptor Frdric Auguste Bartholdi. The first movement depicts what is without a doubt Bartholdi's most famous sculpture, the Statue of Liberty in New York, which also gives this piece its name. Next listeners get to experience the trumpeting angels, which can be seen atop the First Baptist Church in Boston. The final movement takes listeners to France to view the Lion of Belfort in France.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£60.99Christmas Travelogue
What a great energetic way to open your Christmas concert and bring focus to the joyful sounds of the season! Themes from Spain, Czechoslovakia, Poland, England and France lead us on a delightful Christmas tour, and James Curnow'soutstanding orchestration technique ensures that all the musicians have rewarding parts to play. You'll enjoy the melodic twists and turns as the consistent unifying tempo charges implacably toward the exciting finale. (Grade 4)
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
