Results
-
£141.99Concerto for Wind Ensemble (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Husa, Karel
Commissioned by the Michigan State University Alumni Band, this three movement work by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Karel Husa was the winner of the first Louis Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition in 1983. Previously available only in rental, this important work is now available for sale.A note from the composer: Divided into three movements, this work is a display of virtuoso passages given to solo instruments as well as to the groups of the ensemble. In the Fanfare of the first movement, the brass section "concertizes" in groups of four brass quintets (2 trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba or baritone), spread from left to right in back. The saxophones (S, A, T, B) are placed in front of the brass quintets, and the woodwinds occupy the front of the stage, with percussion on the left and right side. These groups, like the brass quintets, play in the concertante style, particularly in the first and last movements. At the same time, each movement contains individual solo passages (for example, timpani and flute in Movement I - "Drum Ceremony" and English horn and other low woodwinds in Movement II - "Elegy"). The composition of this piece was prompted by the excellence of wind and percussion players today, and by the incredible growth of wind ensembles, orchestras, and bands in the last 25 years. It is intended for their enjoyment.Duration: 23:00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£244.99Voyage au Centre de la Terre (Journey to the Centre of the Earth) (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Janssen, Harrie
This composition was based on the world-famous novel by the French author Jules Verne. This novel describes the attempt to reach the centre of the earth. The descent of the crater of the volcano called Snaeffels, situated in Iceland, marks the beginning of this voyage to the sublunary world. The German geologist, professor Lidenbrock, is accompanied on this trip by his nephew Axel and an Icelandic guide named Hans. The last mentioned will be helpful in many occasions.Dark colours & mist: The composer tried in this single work to give a musical expression to various significant moments from this novel. In the introduction he sketches an image of the dismal ambience on the island by using dark colors. Rising fragments of mist reveal the flanks of the monumental mountain Scataris. The composer tries to catch this image in a majestic and broad chorale.Away from Iceland: Subsequently the ostinato rhythmicity and virtuosity represent the hectic descent of the crater of the volcano. The party descends ever more and more and travels south, away from Iceland. On the way, they see all kinds of rock formations, fossils and minerals. At a depth of thirty hours walking distance, at about 150 kilometres below the surface, they reach a sub terrestrial sea which is called the Lidenbrock sea.Genuine eruption of sounds: Strange electric manifestations and unpredictable weather conditions accompany this singular phenomenon. An orchestral tutti-episode expresses this impression musically. On a make-shift raft, the party continues its voyage, heading to the south coast of this huge sea. Once ashore, an enormous rock obstructs the passage. The blowing up of this obstacle unleashes a genuine eruption of sounds in the orchestration.Spat out by the volcano: But the explosion has an unforeseen side effect. The sea - travellers and raft included - is sucked upwards into a dark hole. Again, our heroes are accompanied on their involuntary voyage, while left to fend for themselves, by an ever increasing ostinato rhythmicity. Before an eruption can destroy the raft, the threesome manages to escape and climb up through a cave towards the daylight. They seem to be spat out by the Stromboli volcano on the island of Sicily, far from home. The composition ends with triumphant sounds that represent the scientific triumph of these adventurers.Duration: 22.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£159.99Alpine Flowers' Party! (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sakai, Itaru
The Hida High School is in a highland city called Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Takayama City has some of the highest mountains in Japan, atmospheric rows of houses and streets, and a beautiful landscape. The magnificent views from these mountains can be described as a paradise above the clouds. When the composer visited there in the summer of 2001, the lovely flowers spreading through the valley and the refreshing air welcomed him. The flowers looked as if they were fashionably dressed and fully enjoying conversation and a short summer at a reunion party. The composer was inspired by this scenery to compose this piece. The musical party opens with happy greetings of a reunion and joyful themes follow one after another. A light xylophone solo, a waltz and an adagio featuring alternate solos by alto saxophone, euphonium and trumpet lead to a brilliant finale featuring brass and percussion played in irregular time. A beautiful musical picture that your band will enjoy performing for many years.Duration: 10:45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£73.50L'Esprit du Tour (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Bass, Randol Alan
This remarkable piece captures the excitement, physical challenge, intensity and, ultimately, the thrill and sense of accomplishment a rider might experience during such a gruelling and demanding physical trial as Le Tour de France. Both tonal and non-tonal compositional materials, some indeterminate and serial techniques, special percussion (a six-tom-tom cluster, heavy chains and four metal plates) along with traditional and non-traditional development procedures are used -impressing upon listeners, through sound, a sense and feel of competitive bicycling, from the point of view of the athletes themselves. In hopes of imbuing the music with the flavour of the various cultures coming together for this contest, the composition contains extant source material as well - including La Marsellaise, The Star-Spangled Banner and a brief reference to The Eyes of Texas.Duration: 4.45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£317.99Music of the Spheres (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
The piece reflects the composer's fascination with the origins of the universe and deep space in general. The title comes from a theory, formulated by Pythagoras, that the cosmos was ruled by the same laws he had discovered that govern the ratios of note frequencies of the musical scale. ('Harmonia' in Ancient Greek, which means scale or tuning rather than harmony - Greek music was monophonic). He also believed that these ratios corresponded to the distances of the six known planets from the sun and that the planets each produced a musical note which combined to weave a continuous heavenly melody (which, unfortunately, we humans cannot hear). In this work, these six notes form the basis of the sections MUSIC OF THE SPHERES and HARMONIA. The pieces opens with a horn solo called t = 0, a name given by some scientists to the moment of the Big Bang when time and space were created, and this is followed by a depiction of the BIG BANG itself, as the entire universe bursts out from a single point. A slower section follows called THE LONELY PLANET which is a meditation on the incredible and unlikely set of circumstances which led to the creation of the Earth as a planet that can support life, and the constant search for other civilisations elsewhere in the universe. ASTEROIDS AND SHOOTING STARS depicts both the benign and dangerous objects that are flying through space and which constantly threaten our planet, and the piece ends with THE UNKNOWN, leaving in question whether our continually expanding exploration of the universe will eventually lead to enlightenment or destruction.Duration: 15:30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£79.99The Painted Desert (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
The south-western US state of Arizona has more than its fair share of stunning landscapes, natural phenomena and National Monuments. Best known is the Grand Canyon, but there are also numerous deserts, a petrified forest, extinct volcanoes and the huge Sunset Crater. Not surprisingly, it has featured as the backdrop to many Western movies. The Painted Desert is a narrow, crescent-shaped arc about 160 miles long which begins near the Grand Canyon and varies in width from 10 to 35 miles. It is largely void of vegetation and years of erosion by wind and rain have exposed sedimentary layers of rock up to 250 million years old. Chemical differences in the various layers result in an effect not unlike a multicoloured layer cake with contrasting hues of red, orange and pink, blue, grey and lavender creating a silent and barren landscape which looks like it has been hand-painted. As with much of the planet's stunning landscapes all the observer can do is stand and stare.Duration: 3:45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£421.99The Book of Urizen (Movements I: The Vision and II: The Creation) (Soprano, Narrator and Concert Band - Score and Parts) - De Haan, Jacob
The Book of Urizen is a work for concert band, solo soprano, and a male narrator in which sound collages of religious expressions are used. The piece is inspired by the compelling visionary poem of the same name (which the poet illustrated himself) by the Englishman William Blake (1757-1827), who occupies a unique position in western literature and the visual arts. He was not just a poet and a writer, but he was also a graphic artist, a painter, an illustrator, a spiritualist, a religious visionary, and a mystic philosopher. For the performance of this work, a professional sound system, including two microphones and a CD player, is needed. The three sound collages are three separate tracks on the enclosed CD and can be played easily at the right moment.The Book of Urizen bears resemblance to Genesis and Exodus, of which the contents form the basis of the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faith. Blake adhered to the principle that all religions are in fact one, and that deities reside in human beings. In The Book of Urizen this is represented in "The Net of Religion," which is spanned over the earth by Urizen. The sound collages, compiled by Jacob de Haan in the studio, find their origin in Jerusalem, the Holy City, where the afore-mentioned faiths come together.In the first movement of this composition, The Vision, Urizen prepares his vision of the world, and he presents this to the "Eternals." His vision is rejected, and Urizen locks himself up in his own abstract world. When he does emerge again, he is confronted with rage by the gathered Eternals. Urizen flees the wrath of the Eternals, "the flames of eternal fury," and enwombs himself in his own world. When the Eternals see Urizen in his "stony sleep," they wonder if this is death. The blacksmith Los is torn by grief because of the isolation of Urizen. It brings him to rouse his fires, prepare his forge, and to give Urizen's world concrete form.In the second movement, The Creation, Urizen's world, but also man, woman, and child are created. Los is horrified with the appearance of Urizen's body. He mourns and pities Urizen, and from his blood a female form comes into being, with the name Enitharmon. The Eternals, fearful of the female form, decide to erect a tent to obstruct their view to eternity. Enitharmon and Los beget a son, called Orc. Los baptizes him as a child of the "fallen world." Orc is fed at Enitharmon's breast, which makes a girdle of jealousy restrict Los' chest. He takes the child to the top of the mountain and chains him down. The cries of Orc awaken Urizen, who explores his world creating instruments of scientific measurement to do so. Los encircles the face of Enitharmon from the sight of Urizen and Orc. She then populates the earth by giving birth to an enormous race.The Web, the third movement of The Book of Urizen, is available in a separate set.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£250.00The Wind in the Willows (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - De Meij, Johan
A book for those who keep the spirit of youth alive in them; of life, sunshine, running water, woodlands, dusty roads, winter firesides, said author Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) about his children's book The Wind in the Willows. Initially, he wrote the stories about Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad to read to his visually handicapped son Alistair, but after the publication in book form in 1908, it became a worldwide success. It was later also turned into a film and a television series. What appealed ti the composer most is the friendly, very cosy atmosphere that Grahame has managed to create with his optimistic narrative style full of high spirits, an atmosphere that reminds thecomposer of his own carefree youth. It was therefore a great pleasure to set this book to music! The four movements successively describe: I) The River- The river, which flows through the habitat of the animals like a lifeline, regularly is the scene of pleasant boat trips and picnics. The animals lead their untroubled lives here. The four-tone main motif [A-C-D-C] is extensively presented by the brass section, and returns in the following movements as a countermelody. II) Ratty and Mole -The bright, energetic Rat and the melancholy doubter Mole are inseparable friends and have many adventures. Their opposite characters are illustrated by separate musical themes. III) Mister Toad - The wilful, haughty Mister Toad is indeed a unique case: time after time, he runs into tricky situations, and with his indomitable passion for fast, preferably stolen, cars he causes quite a lot of damage... IV) The Return of Ulysses - After Toad Hall, the majestic residence of Mister Toad, is recovered from the weasels and stoats of the Wild Wood, who had captured the estate in a cowardly way, our friends get ready for a banquet. They celebrate the victory with a triumphant parade, and so both the book and the music conclude with a happy ending. Duration: 17.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£137.95Sinfonietta No.1 (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Sinfonietta No.1 was commissioned by the Foundation of Friends of the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy. It was first performed by them in 'De Doelen', Rotterdam on the 13th November 1990 (in a joint concert with the Royal Marines Band from Great Britain) which celebrated the 325th anniversary of the Netherlands Marine Corps and coincided with the 45th anniversary of the band and the 175th anniversary of naval music in the Netherlands.The work is in three, linked movements:I: OvertureSeveral contrasting motivic ideas open the work, but none manage to develop into a theme of any sort. Eventually a short theme appears on clarinet, alto saxophone and horn but it is swept away by runs of triplets from the woodwinds. The theme returns, accompanied by the triplets from the woodwinds. The theme returns, accompanied by the triplets, and this leads to a return of the opening material to close the movement.II: AriaThe second movement opens with violent outbursts from the timpani until a simple, mournful tune is presented by flute and bassoon over a sparse accompaniment by the lower brass. Trumpets introduce a quicker, turbulent central section but this leads back to a brief repeat of the original tune, bringing the movement to a peaceful close.III. ScherzoThe final movement is a fast and furious scherzo which bursts into life with a flurry of notes. The vivacious main (woodwind) theme is first played by the flutes and then by the whole woodwind section. A cornet then takes centre stage with a fanfare-like theme which is then taken up by the brass. A bridge passage then leads to a version of this theme for full band. The original flute tune is then developed until the horns introduce a chorale tune which is taken up by saxes and then full band until the opening material reappears. The woodwind and brass themes are then combined and lead to a forceful version of the chorale which becomes more and more dissonant until the opening of the Overture returns to bring the work to a rousing finish.Recorded on QPRM134D THE KINGS GO FORTH, Central Band of the Royal Air Force
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£174.99Et in terra Pax (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Van der Roost, Jan
This piece was commissioned by the Concert Band Vlamertinge and is a plea for peace: the title translates as Peace on Earth. This is expressed by means of the vocal contribution expected from the performers. In various places of the piece you can recognize, the words Et In Terra Pax, an appeal for peace, at first jumbled together but later more rhythmically structured, developing into synchronized massed voices. The work starts with a pentatonic theme based on the notes D, E, G, A and C (taken from 'ConCErtbAnD VlAmErtinGE' and the name of the conductor, NiCk VAnDEnDriessChe). A somewhat sad melody is developed during an orchestral climax which leads to the first explosion of sound (measure 62 onwards). Suddenly the opening measures are recaptured, albeit with a differently coloured sound: the words Et in Terra Pax bring the first movement to a close. A restless Allegro follows which abruptly stops and is replaced by a calming chorale-like passage. A narrator reads aloud the poem 'Sonnet' by the young poet Charles Hamilton Sorley, who was killed during World War I. This poem fittingly puts into words the cruelty and senselessness of war. After the expanded recapitulation of the allegro, the broad, almost infinite atmosphere of the beginning returns. Clarinet and English horn play the pentatonic opening theme once more, this time broadly, while the words Et in Terra Pax are repeated again and again by the rest of the ensemble. The composer has purposely avoided all forms of aggression and bombastic sounds regularly used in works about war. Fear of violence and destruction can be heard and felt during the allegro passages. The charged opening makes way in the end for hope: May peacefulness replace cruelty in everyday life, too.Duration: 13:45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
View Music