Results
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£106.99The Way to Heaven - Philip Sparke
The Way to Heaven was commissioned by the Royal Air Force Music Services. 2015 was the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, which took place between July and October 1940, when the courageous fighter pilots of the Royal Air Force thwarted Hitler's ambitions to launch an invasion on the UK.The Way to Heaven opens with fluttering woodwind figures and brass fanfares, which build to a climax before a change of key introduces a short quotation for the Polish National Anthem - Mazurek Dbrowskiego. This fades and you can hear the signal to scramble and the throaty sounds of the squadron's Merlin engines bursting into life before theyline up to take off. This leads to the main thematic material of the work, which depicts the heaven-bound flight of 303 Squadron as it climbs to intercept the incoming Messerschmitt 109s. A brief allusion to the Polish national anthem brings the piece to a triumphant close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99A Bluegrass Overture - Philip Sparke
A Bluegrass Overture was commissioned by Gabriel Wooley and funded by a grant from Leslie and Cathy Anderson for the Central Kentucky Concert Band to celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2016.This energetic overture opens with an introduction loosely based on 'bluegrass' chords before a slower, legato chorale appears in the clarinets and flutes. This is short-lived and soon a new mood is introduced, based on a repeated-note accompaniment. This leads to the main theme, heavily syncopated with bluesy inflections.A central section features a cantabile melody, which changes key frequently, before the main theme reappears, leading toa triumphal presentation of the earlier chorale melody.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99Prelude to a Pageant - Philip Sparke
Prelude to a Pageant was commissioned by Woodley Concert Band to celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2014. Celebratory in nature, Prelude to a Pageant includes a famous musical link to The Reading Rota (Sumer is icumen in), a manuscript dating from around 1240, discovered nearby Reading Abbey. This lively tune appears early in the work, after an arresting, rhythmic opening and expressive slower section, and also forms the final climax.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£99.99Salute to the Victor - Philip Sparke
Salute to the Victor is in traditional march form and contains, as a tribute to Victor Grieve who was a devotee of English music (in particular that of Sir Edward Elgar), a short quote from Elgar's Sea Pictures in the trio. Salute tothe Victor was commissioned by Helen, Alex and James Grieve for the Golden Kangaroos (Hornsby Concert Band) from Sydney, Australia, in memory of their parents, Louise and Victor Grieve, Founder and Director.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£110.99Highdays and Holidays - Philip Sparke
Highdays and Holidays was commissioned by the South Berks Concert Band to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2016. The band rehearses in the village of Mortimer, which has a long and fascinating history dating back to, and beyond, the BronzeAge. Mortimer is famous for The Mortimer Revel, an annual event which was apparently a fairly rumbustious and sometimes violent affair. Highdays and Holidays seeks to capture some of this festive event in the form of an energeticoverture, which explores a variety of moods including the somewhat chaotic atmosphere of the Revel.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£164.99Reflections on an Old Japanese Folk Song - Philip Sparke
Reflections on an Old Japanese Folk Song is based on the tune Suiryo-Bushi, which comes from the shamisen tradition and opens with two contrasting statements of the melody followed by several variations each in an own style based uponthe same tune, or sometimes only fragments of it. In one of the variants, the pentatonic scale is used. The final section is in the form of a scherzo, which eventually forms the accompaniment to a final presentation of the folk tune.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£256.99The Unknown Journey - Philip Sparke
The Unknown Journey was commissioned by Kwansei Gakuin University Symphony Band which was established in 1954 and has grown to become one of the top college bands in Japan. The composer chose the title as the piece seemed to create its ownmomentum as it developed, starting slowly and continuously increasing the tempo. Towards the end it gradually transmogrifies into the closing bars of Ravel's La Valse, a piece which perfectly characterises the idea of unstoppable momentum.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£72.95
Fanfare, Romance and Finale - Philip Sparke
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£75.00
Barndance and Cowboy Hymn - Philip Sparke
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£94.95
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