Results
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£141.99Pulcinella - Philip Sparke
Pulcinella was commissioned by the Taiwanese euphonium player Tzu-Hsiang Lin. Lin is a renowned soloist and teacher and a Besson Euphonium Artist. He teaches euphonium at Taipei National University of the Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts, Shih Chien University and National Kaohsiung Normal University. Lin gave the premiere of Pulcinella in both its concert band and brass band versions in January 2021. Pulcinella continues Sparke's series of euphonium solos named after characters of the Italian commedia dell'arte and opens with a long and expressive minor melody for the soloist over a brooding accompaniment. This is taken up briefly by the full band and is extended by the soloist after a change of key. A cadenza, accompanied by fragments of the main melody leads to a complete change of mood, tempo and tonality, introducing a Vivo section starting with a perky syncopated tune for the soloist. The band then uses elements of this new tune to introduce a change of key, where the soloist introduces a more lyrical second subject over a pulsing accompaniment. The band then takes this up and changes key to reintroduce the original Vivo melody, which leads to a short and acrobatic coda to bring the work to a spectacular close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£99.99Watch Your Step! - Philip Sparke
Watch Your Step! was commissioned by Stadtmusik Biel from Switzerland and is dedicated to the mayor of Biel/Bienne, Erich Fehr. The title was chosen to represent Biel as the watch-making capital of Switzerland. Watch Your Step! is one part of a series of 'up tempo' Sparke marches such as Slipstream, The Bandwagon and Jubiloso. After a bright opening, a syncopated first theme is played, firstly by clarinets and saxophones, and then by the full band. A 'bass strain' is followed by a contrasting second subject, which is played twice. The bass melody returns to herald a truncated version of the main theme, before the opening fanfarereappears as a coda.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£164.99Zodiac Dances - Philip Sparke
Zodiac Dances was commissioned by the Izumiotsu City Band, Osaka, Japan to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Sparke had previously written the piece, Prelude to a Celebration for the band, and in composing a new piece for their 50th anniversary wanted to personalise it to reflect the band's history. He chose to write a set of six dance-miniatures based on the decades following the band's foundation and the equivalent signs from the Japanese 'Junishi'. During the piece, all aspects of true musicianship come to the surface. Energetic playing, phrasing, melodic music making, technique and a spectacular finale make this work a perfect test or concertwork!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99And Still, the Spirit - Philip Sparke
This work was commissioned by Dr. Robert Oertli from Mhlin, Switzerland, and is based on an earlier composition called Spirit of the Sequoia. The piece is inspired by how the human spirit can gain from setbacks: we become stronger after adversity. Sparke used the Californian redwood tree as a metaphor for this basic idea. The remarkable life cycle of these amazing trees involves them dropping seeds to the ground, which require heat to open their shells and germinate; the seeds require destruction in order to procreate. This piece is particularly suitable for younger bands - one of the last wishes of the initial commissioner.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£91.99Prelude on an Irish Folk Tune - Philip Sparke
The Irish folk tune, which appears towards the end of the piece, is Slane, a hymn tune version of the much older folk melody The Banks of the Bann. In Prelude on an Irish Folk Tune, fragments of the folk tune hint at what is to come later in the piece, but another folk-like tune is predominant. This later acts as a descant to Slane when it finally appears. Add a little Sparke sparkle to any concert with this lovely interlude.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£209.99Diamond Concerto - Philip Sparke
Diamond Concerto was commissioned by Musikverein Mrschied from Germany - Dr. Eric Grandjean, conductor - for a special concert featuring Steven Mead as guest soloist. Together they gave the world premiere on 28th April 2012 in the town theatre of Idar-Oberstein.The commission is a highlight in the 30-year friendship between composer and soloist, which has included many mutual CD projects and concerts and, now, a concerto. Sparke had Steven Mead's special euphonium sound in his head throughout the composition process and made free use of the variety of styles which the world-renowned virtuoso has made his own during his highly successful solo career.The village ofMrschied lies to the west of Frankfurt am Main in the area known as the German Road of Precious Stones, which is famous for its thriving gem industry. Because of this it was decided to give the commission a local connection by choosing the title, Diamond Concerto. Each of the three movements is named after a famous diamond:1 EARTH STARis rather stern in mood, opening with a free fantasy for the soloist over a static chord from the band. This leads to an Allegro Moderato in minor mode where small motives are gradually repeated and developed by both band and soloist.2 OCEAN DREAMuses a varied quote from the composer's Music for Battle Creek, including a melting slow melody that was originally written with Steven Mead in mind.3 BLUE HEARTwas written, at Steven Mead's suggestion, in bebop style and takes the form of a jazz waltz. The quasi-improvisatory central section features a call-and-response passage for the soloist and upper woodwinds.Soloist: Difficulty 6Diamond Concerto is available for euphonium and piano (AMP 374-401) as well as for euphonium and brass band (AMP 354-030).
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£267.99Suite From Hymn of the Highlands - Philip Sparke
Complete score and full set of parts for Philip Sparke's Suite From Hymn To The Highlands for Wind Band. Suite from Hymn of the Highlands draws three expressive musical pictures of the Scottish highlands. The first movement, Ardross Castle, features solo passages for clarinet and bassoon and features a fascinating bagpipe melody. The second movement, Alladale, is a saxophone trio with an accompaniment featuring the percussion section. The final movement, Dundonnell, features two highly contrasting melodies, a wild presto and the bagpipe melody first heard in the first movement.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£99.99A Monmouth Overture - Philip Sparke
A Monmouth Overture was composed in 2007 for the Haberdashers' Symphonic Winds, as part of Philip Sparke's year as composer-in-residence at the Monmouth school. The work is based around the 15th century Agincourt Song, written inhonor of Henry V's victory over the larger but outdated French army. Henry V was born in Monmouth in 1387, giving this wonderful overture its historical title. Bring a piece of history with a modern twist to your concert program.Dur: 4:30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£141.99Shaker Heights Fantasy - Philip Sparke
The Shakers were a sect who, in the 18th Century, sailed out from England to America. Right into the late 19th Century, the numerous songs of this community were handed down orally, until they were written down in various volumes of song collections.Philip Sparkes fantasy for wind band is based on a selection of these beautiful, captivatingly simple songs.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£13.95The Kings Go Forth (Concert Band CD)
Great British Music for Wind Band Vol.6The Central Band of the Royal Air Force conducted by Wing Commander Rob Wiffin with the Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra conducted by James Gourlay1Fiesta!Philip SparkeCentral Band of the Royal Air Force7.092Diversions - Variations on a Swiss Folk SongPhilip SparkeCentral Band of the Royal Air Force15.553-6New World DancesMartin EllerbyCentral Band of the Royal Air Force8.39 Earth Dance 2.08 Moon Dance 3.25 Sun Dance 3.066-8Sinfonietta No.1Philip SparkeCentral Band of the Royal Air Force14.05 Overture 2.41 Aria 5.32 Scherzo 5.259-11The Kings Go ForthEdward GregsonRoyal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra17.17 The Church 4.27 The People 4.42 The State 8.05
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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