Results
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£104.99Prelude and Polonaise - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) composed his opera The Night before Christmas in 1894-95. The premiere took place on December 10 1895 in St. Petersburg. The libretto to the opera came from Rimsky-Korsakov himself and is based on a tale by Nikolai Gogol, which some years earlier had already served as operatic material for Pjotr Tchaikovsky. The opera tells the story of Vakula, the blacksmith of a small Ukranian village. He is madly in love with Oxana who demands - as proof of his love - a most unusual Christmas present: the magnificent slippers of the Empress. Knowing full well that, in normal circumstances, he would never be able to fulfil Oxana's wish, Vakula seekssupernatural assistance and finds it in the shape of the devil, who comes up with a ploy to help him. The devil carries him on his back to St. Petersburg, where during a lavish reception at court Vakula finds an opportunity to present his request to the empress. The Empress actually agrees to Vakula's wish and hands over her slippers to him. Thereupon he returns to his own village. Here, in the meantime, he had been given up for dead, and Oxana had been plunged into great sorrow as she had come to realise that she also truly loved Vakula. In the end, however, all misunderstandings are resolved and all adversities overcome: Oxana receives her extravagant present, the lovers are united, and the church bells call the villagers to the Christmas service.The vibrant Polonaise is played in the 3rd act of the opera at the entrance of the Empress, whose appearance is anticipated in the prelude by the fanfare motives. The music paints a vivid picture of the party atmosphere and the marvellous dcor at the imperial court of St. Petersburg, which Rimsky-Korsakov conjures up in his opera and which can also be played outside of the Advent and Christmas season, for example as an opening piece to any festive concert.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£94.99Conzensus - Jan Van der Roost
This stately concert opener was originally written by Jan Van der Roost for a special event in which six respected wind orchestras (two Belgian and four Dutch) of different composition (two symphonic bands, two fanfare bands and two brass bands) were featured during six concerts. Each evening brought forth a performance by a symphonic band, a fanfare, and brass band, so that the audience could experience all three types of ensembles. This was indeed an original concept.The name, ConZEnSus, comes from a combination of the words, 'Concert Cyclus' (concert series) and 'zes' (Dutch for 'six'). This leads to a new word, which refers to 'consensus'. The general tenor of the cycle isthus immediately indicated. The richness of color of the various ensembles is revealed through an open and friendly atmosphere. During all six concerts (over a span of three years), ConZEnSus functioned as a permanent opening number for each orchestra. Thus the same musical story was portrayed in three different packages.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£117.80Freedom Defended - Rossano Galante
Inspired by the non-violent civil rights protest of February 1, 1960 against a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, NC, Freedom Defended strives to encapsulate the story of this now historic event. Commissioned by the band directors of the North Carolina Central District and East Central District Bandmasters Associations, this four movement piece honors each of the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University students known as the "Greensboro Four", Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr., and David Richmond. Their actions directly led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which mandated desegregation in public spaces. Movement 1 (Da Sogno) - The opening thematic material is dream-like and idyllic as the "Greensboro Four" enter the Woolworth Store at 132 South Elm Street and peacefully sit at the lunch counter and order coffee. Movement 2 (Con Fuoco) - The piece takes a dark turn when they are refused service and are told "We don't serve Negros here". The music is somewhat dissonant and rhythmic but a heroic theme captures the tenacity and courage of these brave young men. Movement 3 (Molto Cantabile) - A plaintiff theme portrays the hopelessness the four freshmen faced as they continued to be refused service until they leave when the store closed that night. Movement 4 (Con Spirito) - Undeterred, the "Greensboro Four" returned the next day, this time joined by more than twenty other black students. While they were again refused service, the sitins began to attract media attention and each day more and more students, both black and white, joined the cause. By February 4th, over 300 students staged sit-ins not only at the Woolworth Store but also the lunch counter at Greensboro's S. H. Kress & Co. The music is rejoicing and uplifting, similar to the opening statement, but now fully orchestrated and more fully developed. Coda - a quiet theme based on the motives from the opening thematic material brings the work to a reflective close as we remember these four men who, in the face of adversity, stood up for equality for all men and women.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£90.20The Rocketeer - James Horner
Before Titanic,James Horner was not above composing scores for cartoonish family films, and many of those that brought him on their production board owe him greatly. The Rocketeer entails the story of a young pilot during World War II who happens upon a rocket pack that allows him to fly. The film is based on the tradition of old film serials that left theater-goers hanging with "To be continued," and aside from modern production, it is old fashioned and innocent fun. Horner's score begins and ends with the brilliant "Main Title," which is so moving it was used in previews for later films that did not yet have finished scores. Most of th Rocketeersoundtrack elicits the adventure and lifting spirit of the film and reveals how Horner incorporates rich instrumentals in the tiniest crevices. Even when the film involves danger, as in "Jenny's Rescue," the composer takes care when it is hardly even required. Instead of some "duh-duh-duhs," he brings on a full, stunning orchestra and when he overdoes it, it is in a jolly way -- he never exhausts his medium. That is what separates him from inferior composers, and what makes a nice film like The Rocketeer extra nice. It is a soundtrack worth listening to.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£59.80
Die Lustigen Dorfschmiede - Julius Fucik
Reading the title of this piece, namely "The Happy Village Smiths" it rather suggests a character piece than a zestful march. However, the saying "Don't let yourself be fooled" also applies in this instance, as "The Happy Village Smiths" belong to Fuc k's most popular marches. In an article that appeared in a Styrian local paper in the 1930s, Christine Fuc k speaks about common vacations with her husband in Gleisdorf. On the occasion of a walk in the vicinity of that city the couple came past a blacksmith's shop. The rhythm of the two blacksmiths hammering away on the anvil allegedly inspired Fuc k to compose this piece. Since the march goes back to the year 1908, and Christine and Fuc k's friendship started - not without frictions - only one year before that date, there are doubts concerning the validity of the story, although this report constitutes the only reference on the birth of this march.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£137.99Oregon - Jacob de Haan
This fantasy tells the story of Oregon, one of America's north-western states. Traveling by train on the Northern Pacific Railroad, the listener is taken through the fascinating Oregon landscape. Indians, cowboys, golddiggers and hooded wagons will file past on this adventurous journey. The piece has some similarities with a soundtrack of a movie. Various melodies, which could be the main themes of a movie, pass the review.The piece begins in a slow movement, introducing the first theme in minor. Then we hear in the following fast movement the trombones imitate the train, whistling the steam-flute. We hear the characteristic minor theme again, but now in different variants(also in major). The rythmic structure of "western" stile and rock succeed each other. This is leading to the slow movement, where the signals of horns and trumpets introduce a wonderful vocal melody. After this characteristic melody, the fast movement appears shortly again, the trombones whistling the steam-flute again (now in major). We hear also some musical elements, that plays a part in the following Presto. Barchanges, jazzy chords, interesting rhytmic patterns (with bongo) and an original theme are the characteristics of this Presto. After this, the horns announce the last section of the piece. Interesting is the fact that we hear in this Allegro section a variant of the vocal melody in the slow movement. Also the Presto theme returns shortly, followed by the Allargando, which is a grand characteristic end of a soundtrack. The movie of our travelling fantasy has come to an end.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£118.99Elisabeth - Sylvester Levay
The world premiere of the musical Elisabeth took place in Vienna on September 3, 1992. From the great acclaim with which the musical was received, it became clear that the life of the Empress of Austria still appeals to the imagination. Although Elisabeth's life (1837-1898) as an Empress has a fairy-tale-like beginning, it takes a gloomy turn. In this production, Luigi Lucheni, the man who finally takes her life, tells her story. Death plays a major role throughout Elisabeth's life. In the musical, an equally mysterious and attractive man portrays the phenomenon of death, seducing her to the realm of death time after time. Elisabeth's life resembles a fairy tale when shemarries the Emperor Franz Joseph at the age of sixteen. Her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, does not make it easy on Elisabeth. But it is life itself that puts the Empress to the test. First, her youngest daughter dies. Then, not long after her son Rudolf is born, her happiness is clouded when her mother-in-law decides she must take pity on him. After her husband's unfaithfulness and Sophie's death, Elisabeth is so disillusioned that she chooses a travelling existence without realizing her husband and her son, Rudolf, miss her. Rudolf's loneliness is one of the reasons he commits suicide. The accumulation of disappointments in Elisabeth's life almost drives her into the arms of Death. In the end, however, it is Lucheni who kills her.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£355.99Cyrano - Piet Swerts
This delightful new composition takes its inspiration from the classic French swash buckling tale of Cyrano de Bergerac and his fight to win the love of the beautiful maiden Roxane. The subject was a perfect departure point for composing a symphonic poem with a variety of musical aspects reflecting the story. Lyricism (the theme of Roxane), dramatic episodes, as well as Debussy-inspired impressionist moments are some of the elements that give the band and its conductor the chance to expose themselves as a versatile ensemble being able to create colour, to sing and to play like virtuosi. This work is sure to become a standard item in the concert band repertoire.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£144.99Pierius Magnus - Jan de Haan
Pierius Magnus is a historical figure from the Friesland area of Holland. He was a farmer who became a resistance fighter against Dutch oppressors in around 1500. Whether Magnus was a hero or barbarian is still debatable, but composer Jan de Haan was fascinated by the exciting story and let it fuel his imagination. The protagonist is introduced with a capricious theme which is followed by "De Arumer Swarte Heap," the troops who took to the battlefields against the Dutch. An eerie calm takes over moments before Pier and his troops let their battle cries sound. The work ends as the disillusioned Pier retreats. A concert work overflowing with excitement!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£76.99Dear Frog - Victor Trojan
Dear Frog describes the story of a prince who changes into a frog and then waits for a princess to kiss him so that he can turn back into a prince again. A musical satire for the trombone and orchestra. What is remarkable about this work is the use of the "wah-wah sourdine" throughout the entire piece, which gives it an extra amusing flavour.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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