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£119.99Tango for Joe - Philip Sparke
Tango for Joe explores the lyrical properties of the trombone. A long introduction builds to the first entry of the soloist, who plays the main tango melody over a rhythmic accompaniment. In this work, the band and solo trombone parts alternate. A cadenza-like passage leads to a faster 'tango nuevo', which makes up the majority of the work. After a climax and extended cadenza by the trombone, the piece ends with a flourish for concert band and soloist.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£206.99Omaggio - Philip Sparke
Omaggio was commissioned by Steven Mead in celebration of his 60th birthday and in memory of his father, Rex. He gave the premiere of the brass band version in Rome in March 2022, accompanied by the Italian Brass Band conducted by Filippo Cangiamilla. The concert band premiere took place on 6th July that year as part of the 2022 Spanish International Tuba Euphonium Conference, accompanied by the Banda municipal de msica de Mlaga. The concerto is set in 3 continuous movements, which are united by a recurring syncopated interval of a fifth. The first movement, FANTASIA, opens with this motive accompanying an extended monologue for the soloist. This is followed by a lengthy bridge passage by the band (piano), which is eventually joined by the soloist, who guides the music back to the opening soliloquy, leading to an energetic central section. This develops until the opening material again returns to introduce the second movement, BALLAD, which revolves around an expressive melody for the soloist, interspersed by accompanied cadenzas. The third movement, THE KING TRIUMPHANT, pays homage to Steven's late father, Rex, and its title alludes both to Rex's name ('Rex' being Latin for 'king') as well as his love of Eric Ball's Salvationist masterpiece, The Kingdom Triumphant. The finale is an energetic tour-de-force featuring an acrobatic 6/8 melody, which is interrupted twice by the magnificent hymn tune, Helmsley, which Ball uses so effectively in The Kingdom Triumphant. A galloping coda brings the work to a close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£252.99Sinfonietta No 5 - Philip Sparke
Sinfonietta No 5n consists of three movements: Fanfare, Interlude and Toccata. It is a work full of variety, featuring turmoil and passion as well as peaceful passages. The different moods make this an appealing composition which is wonderful to play for all sections, as well as a joy for the audience to listen to. Highly recommended for your next concert.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£260.99Pentangle - Philip Sparke
Pentangle, set in three movements without a break, uses the traditional concept of the baroque concerto grosso as its model, treating the brass quintet and accompanying concert band as separate but equal ensembles. Interplay between the two, and frequent use of the quintet players as soloists, permeates the work in various combinations, making it a captivating composition full of variety.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£122.50Mercury Rising - Philip Sparke
Mercury Rising was commissioned by sinfonisches blasorchester wehdel and its conductor Thomas Ratzek, to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2018. They premiered this piece in their half-century concert on 2nd November 2018 in the Bremerhaven Stadttheater in Germany. Designed as a virtuosic and lively opener, Mercury Rising opens with nervous energy and driving, syncopated rhythms in a blaze of colour. The horns and saxophones then introduce a broad melody, which the trumpets subsequently take up after a change of tonality. A quieter moment introduces a distant fanfare on muted horns over bubbling semiquavers in the low clarinets. This is interrupted by a passionate tenor melody but soon returns on the full brass section, accompanied by echoes of the opening woodwind figuration, and is extended to bring the piece to a triumphant close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£164.99A Centennial Journey - Philip Sparke
A Centennial Journey was commissioned by the Norwegian ensemble Stavanger Musikkorps av 1919 to celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2019. The work was premiered under conductor Morten E. Hansen at their Jubilee Concert in the Stavanger Konserthus on 28th September 2019. The piece opens dramatically with a sweeping melody on horns and saxophones under florid woodwind figuration, building to a majestic climax. A trio for the trombones calms the mood until the opening melody returns in a gentler style, eventually building to a busy molto vivo. The woodwind figuration continues over a series of brass trios until the main theme of the work appears on clarinets and euphoniums. This develops to introduce a change of key, featuring a long, hymn-like melody on clarinets and horns. The melody is then taken up by the full band, interspersed with sporadic brass fanfares. The opening of the molto vivo returns and leads to a return of the opening horn melody, building to a thrilling coda based on previous melodic material.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£118.99North Hills Fantasy - Philip Sparke
North Hills Fantasy was commissioned by the North Hills High School Bands, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (director: Len Lavelle) as part of a commissioning programme that has run since 1965 - the longest of its kind in the USA. The work opens with a reflective, unaccompanied solo for alto saxophone which develops into a chorale for horns and saxes. This is taken up by the trumpets and subsides to a change of key and mood, with highly decorated folk-like solos for clarinet, bassoon and saxes. These solos build to a climax for full band, which heralds a triumphant return of the horn chorale, accompanied by florid woodwind figuration. But the mood soon winds down; fragments of earlier melodies return calmly to peacefully close the work.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99Highland Dawn - Philip Sparke
Highland Dawn portrays a sunrise in the Scottish Highlands, where stunning mountain scenery and clear air create a special atmosphere. A faster central section describes the area coming to life as the day begins, using the Scotch 'snaps' which are characteristic of traditional bagpipe music; but the serenity of the opening returns to bring the work to a peaceful close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£134.99Bacchanalia - Philip Sparke
Bacchanalia was commissioned by the Yokohama Bacchus Brass Orchestra to celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2019. The band wanted the title of this short opener to reflect the reference to Bacchus in their name, so Bacchanalia was agreed upon. The spirit of the Greek god of wine does indeed permeate the piece, with bustling themes, dance motifs and occasional harmonic ambiguity. A lovely piece of music full of joie de vivre.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99A Little Klezmer Suite - Philip Sparke
A Little Klezmer Suite was commissioned by Rushton Park High School to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their band programme. They gave the premiere in a virtual online concert in October 2020. Klezmer music originated in the 'shtetl' (villages) and the ghettos of Eastern Europe, where itinerant Jewish troubadours, known as 'klezmorim', had performed at celebrations, particularly weddings, since the early Middle Ages. 'Klezmer' is a Yiddish term combining the Hebrew words 'kley' (instrument) and 'zemer' (song). The roots of the style are found in secular melodies, popular dances, Jewish 'hazanut' (cantorial music) and also the 'nigunim', the wordless melodies intoned by the 'Hasidim' (orthodox Jews). The melodies used in the four movements of A Little Klezmer Suite have traditionally been used in Jewish wedding ceremonies and celebrations.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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