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£94.99
O Christmas Tree
The tradition of the Christmas tree in Western Europe dates back to a time long before any Christianization had taken place. During the severely cold winter nights, so it was believed, evil spirits tried to 'kill' nature. Needle-leaved trees were the only ones which kept their green colour throughout the year, and therefore became symbols of immortality. These 'living' trees, said to be the work of benign spirits, were brought into people's houses to ward off evil, life-threatening powers. In the 14th century people first started to decorate Christmas trees. It was a pagan custom, originated by the inhabitants of Alsace. This custom was taken over by the Church inthe course of the 15th and 16th century. At first the decoration consisted mainly of edibles, such as apples and wafers, but later small presents were added. Legend has it that the reformer Martin Luther was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree with candles. The flickering candle flames were meant to create the image of a starry sky in which Christ's apparition could be recognized. The German organ-player Ernst Anschtz from Leipzig was the first person to notate the song 'O Tannenbaum', the melody being a well-known folk song. Next to 'Stille Nacht' 'O Tannenbaum' is the most famous German Christmas song, now known throughout the world. In the United States of America the melody of 'O Tannenbaum' has even been used in four States (among which the State of Maryland) for their State song. In David Well's arrangement the song is first heard as many of us know it. After this introduction, however, it is transformed into a solid rock version, and the beat has been changed. In the second part the familiar three-four time is back, but here the rhythm is different from the original. After the richly ornamented rock beat the basic theme can be heard once again and the composition is concluded in a festive manner.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£59.99
Centenary - Wim Laseroms
Centenary is a cheerful march with a festive character. It opens with a solemn brass introduction and the first reprise and the bass solo that follows are characterised by a tight style of play. The trio begins with a simple melodic theme followed by a transitional section of alternating descant, bass and tenor registers. The piece comes to a finale when the trio returns with overflowing exuberance.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99
Jazzimut - Marc Jeanbourquin
In 2009, one year after its formation, the Swiss brass ensemble Azimuts Brass commissioned its conductor, Marc Jeanbourquin, to write them a signature tune. He composed Jazzimut, which features a festive introduction followed by a lyrical theme. After a few bars of rock rhythm, Jazzimut goes disco and finishes with a recapitulation of the introduction as a fanfare. Now available for concert band this is an entertaining piece from start to finish!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£110.99
Second to None - Philip Sparke
Second to None is a perfectly suitable title for this work, though it actually refers to "Nulli Secundus", the motto of the British Corps of Army Music, who gave the commission to Philip Sparke. The piece opens with a fanfare, followed by two short quotes from two of the Corp's own marches and a festive Vivace. A more legato central section creates a nice contrast before the work closes with the opening fanfare. A perfect affair!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£74.99
Viva La Musica - Hermann Pallhuber
Viva La Music--A joyous Hymn and Dance--is a cheerful piece of some 3:20 in length. It is comprised of two parts: a festive hymn with a recurring theme and a dance in the style of a lively jig. Thanks to its melodic character, its positive mood and its punchy wit Viva La Musica can equally serve as a short opening piece or as a finale. This work can even be played by a very small ensemble and, due to its lyricism and simple structure, it is especially suitable for youth wind band.The composer has dedicated Viva La Musica to the town of Fritzens in Tirol (Austria) and to its music guild.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£149.99
Moretus - Bart Picqueur
Jan Moretus (1543-1610) was a book printer and publisher in his native city of Antwerp. He worked as assistant to his father-in-law, the renowned master printer and publisher Christoffel Plantijn. After Plantijn's death in 1589 Moretus took over the business.The composition Moretus consists of four parts that draw on the remarkable personality of Jan Moretus aswell as the printing business. In both the titles of the movements and the thematic structure we can see a certain symmetry: a playful allusion to the process of printing.Part 1, A Celebrated Gentleman, describes the illustrious figure of Moretus in a festive chorale. In the second part, ExpressiveImpressions, the printing press itself is brought to life in repeated motifs - despite the industrial, mechanical nature of the process, the product always has an artistic and cultural dimension. In the third part, Impressive Expression, the wind band is invited (or challenged), to intone the slow theme with a poignant expressiveness. Part 4, A Gentle Celebration, is a celebratory finale with a fresh theme.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£134.99
Fanfare And Funk - Oliver Waespi
This work by Swiss composer Oliver Waespi was one of the highlights at the 2006 Eidgenssische Musikfest in Lucerne. The piece opens with a festive fanfare featuring the brass section. The mood changes to a funk passage which develops and grows into a James Brown-like groove. It also includes an ad libitum drum solo. A slow blues lends a calmer feel and the piece culminates with striking interwoven fanfare and funk styles. This work is highly recommended for concert programmes but it can also make a spectacular, unconventional choice for a competition.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£144.99
Ross Roy - Jacob de Haan
Jacob de Haan was commissioned to compose this concert piece by the "St. Peters Wind Symphony" from Brisbane, Australia. "Ross Roy" is the monumental late 19th century villa where St. Peters Lutheran College was founded in 1945. The villa has always remained the school symbol. In this composition, Jacob de Haan sees the "Ross Roy" as a metaphor for the years spent at school (a monument in time), where one's personality is formed. So, the opening theme the artist calls the Ross Roy theme initially has monumental characteristics.The rhythmic motion, which strides along in the lower register and percussion at the beginning of the next section is typical of "Tempo di Marcia". Thismovement, accompanied by repetitions of sound, is a metaphor for the structure and discipline in school. This is the introduction to a march theme, symbolic of "passing through" the classes up to the final examinations.Then, the Ross Roy theme is dealt with again, now in a playful, humorous variation. As if the composer is saying there should also be time for a smile in school. The same theme can be heard in major key and a slower tempo in the following section, expressing pride and self-confidence. This is also the introduction to the expressive middle section that represents love, friendship and understanding.We then return to the march theme in a slightly altered construction. The oriental sounds, constituting the modulation to the final theme, are symbols of the diversity of cultures in the school. The characteristic final theme first sounds solemn, but turns into a festive apotheosis. It is no coincidence that the final cadence is reminiscent of the close to a traditional overture, for the school years can be considered the "overture" to the rest of one's life. The premiere of "Ross Roy" was conducted by Jacob de Haan in Brisbane, on August 22, 1997.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£89.99
Minerva - Jan Van der Roost
Minerva by Jan Van der Roost was composed on the commission of the German "Musikverein Braunshausen" on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the orchestra. The composition, first performed on September 17, 1999, is not a street march but a concert march, just like Mercury and Arsenal. The use and variation of different rhythmic patterns gives the first part of this march a distinctly dynamic character. Two main themes are presented in several instrumental combinations. The theme from the trio, on the other hand, is characterized by a broad melodic approach using large intervals. This theme, wreathed by high woodwinds, is heard one more time after a contrasting newpart, but now in a somewhat slower tempo. The counterpoint in this part refers to the first part of the march. The brilliant ending suits a festive anniversary march!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£144.99
Festa Paesana - Jacob de Haan
Lunteren, a village on the Veluwe (a wooded region in the Netherlands), sets the scene annually for a village festival dominated by folklore. Festa Paesana (Italian for village festival) is set to music by several folkloric sketches. The theme in Festa Paesana is partly based on a Dutch anthem (Wien Neerlands bloed); when other lyrics are used it is also known as the Lunteren anthem.The work begins with a festive introduction, completed by chimes and drums, in which pieces of the Lunteren anthem are heard. The music then transitions to represent a horse auction. We hear horses run their first rounds in the auction ring while being whipped. The following theme is partly basedon the anthem. The tension of the traditional auction is amplified by an ever-increasing cadence, reaching its climax when the word ?Sold!? is shouted. The night ends with a majestic variation on the Lunteren anthem.The next morning, when the tower clock hits seven times, the village is awaked by the reveille of the heralds. In a fugatic version of the anthem, we can hear the village slowly come to life. This evolves with the chiming of all towers in the village; the celebration can begin. Carriages drawn by horses rumble through the village and thus, it is easy to hear when a horse hesitates or runs amuck. A traditional folk dance group then dances a whirling waltz while the audience shares their pleasure. Musicians march along the scene and take over the waltz theme in their march. Until deep in the night, the musicians are still heard playing in the streets. Meanwhile, we hear the anthem theme being played in a choral variation (in minor). The first time it is played quietly, as a preparation for Sunday. Then it is played in a celebrating way, enabling the devout village residents to remember the past pleasant celebration with satisfaction.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days