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£134.9930 Original Chorales and Warm-Ups (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
These 30 Original Chorales and Warm-Ups have been designed to develop the most important aspects of band playing, by providing material that can be used at the start of a rehearsal to test balance, dynamics, tuning, flexibility and articulation. Band directors are encouraged to adapt them to address the specific needs and challenges of their ensembles. Dynamics and tempo indications are not given and should be chosen by the director as required. All the chorales are strictly four-part. This multi-purpose collection is an essential purchase for every ambitious band!
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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£106.99The Way to Heaven (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
The Way to Heaven (Droga do Nieba) 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 they line 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.Duration: 4.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99Spirit of Andalusia (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Spirit of Andalusia was commissioned by The Glasgow Wind Band. The brief was to create a fascinating 5-minute opener, however, during the compositional process, the piece started to take the form of a Spanish influenced composition. The composer decided to stick to this involuntary development and started producing a tribute to Spanish music, in particular, Flamenco - which originates from the region of Andalusia. He uses exciting rhythms and colours from the musical culture.Duration: 7.15
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99A Bluegrass Overture (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
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 to a triumphal presentation of the earlier chorale melody.Duration: 6.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£106.99Festival Prelude Ad Excel (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Festival Prelude 'Ad Excel' was commissioned by the AD Concert Band, from Solihull in the UK, to celebrate their 40th Anniversary in 2016. The title, Ad Excel, is a play on words: it is Latin for 'to excel' but also celebrates the band's anniversary as XL is 40 in Roman numerals. The work opens with a bright fanfare with frequent changes of meter. This leads to a playful main subject, played first by woodwinds, followed by full band. A bridge passage leads to a legato second subject, played twice. The bridge passage returns to introduce the both main melodies in new keys and instrumentations before a coda, derived from the opening fanfare, brings the work to a close. Duration: 5.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£164.99St Paul's Suite (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Holst, Gustav - Sparke, Philip
Between 1905 and 1934, Gustav Holst was Director of Music at St Paul's Girls School in Brook Green, London. St Paul's Suite, written for the school's string orchestra, was premiered there in 1913 and consists of four movements: an energetic Jig in 6/8 and 9/8, Ostinato, based on a simple 4-note theme, Intermezzo, an energetic and rhythmic dance and Finale, adapted from the Second Suite in F in which Holst brilliantly combines The Dargason and The English Dancing Master, with the traditional melody, Greensleeves. Duration: 13.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£106.99Song of Friendship (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Song of Friendship was commissioned by the Concert Band of Jumonji University, Saitama, Japan and their conductor, Yutaka Nishida. The commission marked the 50th year of Yutaka Nishida's involvement with bands as a player, conductor and radio presenter. The ceremonial Song of Friendship opens with an extended fanfare, largely featuring the brass section. This leads to the main theme, which develops slowly until it is played by the full band. A change of key signals a contrasting central section containing a quiet woodwind chorale, which grows until the return of the triumphant sounding main theme. Elements of the opening fanfare then close the work. Duration: 6.45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£141.99Wind in the Reeds (Bassoon or Baritone Saxophone Solo with Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Wind in the Reeds was commissioned by Deena Draycott in memory of John Watson, an army bandsman, teacher and bassoonist. Wind in the Reeds is both a tribute and lasting memorial to John. The piece is largely pastoral in nature, evoking images conjured up by the 'play on words' in the title, but includes a faster central section which exploits other aspects of the character of the bassoon. Transitions between the various sections of the piece are achieved through a series of accompanied cadenzas for the soloist. Duration: 6.45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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