Results
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£199.95The 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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£164.95Elgar Variations (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Ellerby, Martin
The year 2007 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of the British composer Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) and as such I thought it an appropriate moment to write something in tribute to this event. There are quite a few enigmas about this piece and they are all intentional! First and foremost is that the variations are not constructed on any of Elgar's actual themes. Rather I have written a sequence of contrasting sections (all played without a break) on the essence and character of his musical style. I have also written this work with bands, the soloists within, conductors and, not least, their audience firmly in mind. The language is essentially tonal and the test musical rather than overtly technical. There are no tempo indications other than suggested metronome marks. I have deliberately kept things to a minimum as the true test here is to find the style and interpret that aspect over the whole structure. Whereas the faster sections are more or less self explanatory the slower parts require deliberate rubato and much feeling. This is for the conductors to discover and I encourage them to do so. Adjudicators should be fully aware that I sanction this aspect but it requires an insight and understanding to successfully execute so 'any old thing' will not suffice! The 'variation' commencing at rehearsal letter P is the emotional core of the piece and requires a passionate but not saccharine approach to pacing and sensuality. The cadenza type material is built into the process rather than being a separate sequence of entities. There are many allusions to the music of Elgar here without recourse to blatant pastiche - if it is thought of as a series of songs and dances this may help. The final comment is the dedication, after one of Elgar's own but subtly adjusted: to my friend pictured within - never to be revealed - now there's an enigma!- Martin EllerbyDuration: 14.00Recorded on Polyphonic QPRM155D Scenes from Childhood (Great British Music for Wind Band Vol.15), Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£32.95Elgar Variations (Concert Band - Score only) - Ellerby, Martin
The year 2007 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of the British composer Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) and as such I thought it an appropriate moment to write something in tribute to this event. There are quite a few enigmas about this piece and they are all intentional! First and foremost is that the variations are not constructed on any of Elgar's actual themes. Rather I have written a sequence of contrasting sections (all played without a break) on the essence and character of his musical style. I have also written this work with bands, the soloists within, conductors and, not least, their audience firmly in mind. The language is essentially tonal and the test musical rather than overtly technical. There are no tempo indications other than suggested metronome marks. I have deliberately kept things to a minimum as the true test here is to find the style and interpret that aspect over the whole structure. Whereas the faster sections are more or less self explanatory the slower parts require deliberate rubato and much feeling. This is for the conductors to discover and I encourage them to do so. Adjudicators should be fully aware that I sanction this aspect but it requires an insight and understanding to successfully execute so 'any old thing' will not suffice! The 'variation' commencing at rehearsal letter P is the emotional core of the piece and requires a passionate but not saccharine approach to pacing and sensuality. The cadenza type material is built into the process rather than being a separate sequence of entities. There are many allusions to the music of Elgar here without recourse to blatant pastiche - if it is thought of as a series of songs and dances this may help. The final comment is the dedication, after one of Elgar's own but subtly adjusted: to my friend pictured within - never to be revealed - now there's an enigma!- Martin EllerbyDuration: 14.00Recorded on Polyphonic QPRM155D Scenes from Childhood (Great British Music for Wind Band Vol.15), Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£68.00Requiem Aeternam (from Edgar) (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Puccini, Giacomo - De Meij, Johan
Giacomo Puccini was commissioned to write a second opera after the resounding success of his first, Le Villi. However, the original four-act, grand opera Edgar, to a libretto by Ferdinando Fontana, received a rather lukewarm reception at its premiere in La Scala in Milan in 1889. Initially, the work was only performed three times. Of all the planned performances in the subsequent two years, only one took place, in Lucca, Puccini's birthplace. There, the work was well received. Nevertheless, the composer decided to make drastic changes to Edgar the most radical being the reduction of the opera to three acts, as well as altering a few arias, characters and instrumental parts. In its revised form, the work was even less popular than before. The discarded fourth act later provided material for Tosca (the duet Amoro sol' per te), but Puccini never felt the need to defend Edgar as he did other less fortunate operas, such as La Rondine and Suor Angelica. On a piano excerpt for his female friend Sybil Seligman he even corrupted the title to 'E Dio ti Guarda da quest' opera' (may God preserve you from this opera). This did not prevent Arturo Toscanini performing the Requiem from the third act at Puccini's funeral in Milan Cathedral on 3 December 1924. The Requiem in the third act is being played when the long funeral procession carries the alleged body of Edgar, the confused young man hesitating between the love of the virtuous Fidelia and the exotic Tigrana. The mass hails Edgar as a hero, but a monk claims that he has betrayed his country for a few gold pieces. When the soldiers try to desecrate the body, they discover that the armor contains none. The monk reveals himself as Edgar. He wants to leave with his faithful Fidelia, but the vengeful Tigrana stabs him and kills Fidelia. Edgar grieves over the lifeless body of his beloved, while Tigrana is arrested and the people submerge into prayer. Duration: 3.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£44.95Slaidburn (March) (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Rimmer, William - Brand, Michael
For many, Lancastrian William Rimmer is Britain's 'March King.' His marches are wonderful, every one with its own unique personality and form. Like Sousa, he also created and played a vast catalogue of band music ranging from waltzes and solos to great selections from the masters, but it is for his marches that he is remembered today. Slaidburn is a village in the county of Lancashire, England, but was originally part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. Rimmer composer this easy but effective and much-loved march for the village band.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£8.95
Slaidburn (March) (Concert Band - Score Only) - Rimmer, William - Brand, Michael
For many, Lancastrian William Rimmer is Britain's 'March King.' His marches are wonderful, every one with its own unique personality and form. Like Sousa, he also created and played a vast catalogue of band music ranging from waltzes and solos to great selections from the masters, but it is for his marches that he is remembered today. Slaidburn is a village in the county of Lancashire, England, but was originally part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. Rimmer composer this easy but effective and much-loved march for the village band.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.99Mexican Holiday (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Sparke, Philip
Whilst making no claims to be stylistically authentic, this little piece aims to capture the infectious spirit of mariachi, a word whose origins are lost in the mists of time, but which describes not only the performers (on guitars, vihuelas, violins, trumpets and harp) but also the music itself. Their music speaks of love, passion, politics, life in the country and revolutionary heroes but is unerringly uplifting in style and immediately recognisable as the spirit of Mexico. A chance to add that Spanish flavour to your concerts.Duration: 1:30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£39.50Chapel Royal (A Simple Chorale) (Concert Band) - Carroll, Fergal
The chorale that forms the basis of this piece is entirely original but attempts modestly to evoke something of the spirit of the great composers of the Tudor age, at once rich but slightly austere, with an occasionally modal feel. There are almost no changes of metre and the marking is Largo, demanding a dignified tempo which lets the music breathe but keeps it moving. Duration: 1:20
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£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
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£27.95
Sinfonietta No.1 (Concert Band - Score only) - 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
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