Results
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£214.80Skies - Oliver Waespi
Program notes by Oliver Waespi on his composition Skies:Skies is the plural of Sky. We may wonder are there several skies? Is the sky we all long for not the same for everybody? While travelling on foot and "in the open air" I have observed the firmament often in quite different shapes, so that I can say I have indeed experienced the sky in different ways. Years ago I already wanted to portray "my sky" in music; I finally have been able to realise this long-cherished dream.This composition deals with the sky, more precisely with my sensual and emotional experience of the sky in all its aspects. Two point of views are combined in this composition: one showing the sky as it presents itself to me, the other showing the sky as I observe it. The music was bom simultaneously by intemal and extemal inspiration: it describes nature but also the emotional and spiritual experience of nature. To me, the experience of nature is not abstract, but it is connected with concrete ages, places or people from my neighbourhood. This is why I have combined several parts of this composition with certain landscapes.The sky presents itself in different landscapes in the most varied ways: for the sensual experience, there is no sky as such. The indications of places spread all over the score, are primarily clues for myself; they represent certain atmospheres, which I have experienced especially in England and Scotland. They can however also be useful to the musicians and the audience, providing they know those landscapes and the celestial atmospheres linked to them.The music is independent from the atmospheres described in the subtitles, as those are rather connected to a tragic nature, and so the music is not based on any program. Musically spoken, the composition has a symphonic structure, which means that the complete musical material is derived from three contrasting main themes. In the first part, the description of a noctumal sky ("Night") two themes are developed in an organic way; the first, rather "dusky", is to be found with the horns, the second, "in bright daylight", with the oboe and flute, the third, "more quiet" , with the brass instruments. In the next part, we have clouds and rain over the Isle of Skye (one of the Hebrides islands in Scotland) and here several elements of the first theme are still more developed. Then we get an increasingly dark mood, which is released, in heavy chords. Then suddenly, the sun breaks through and the music gets a majestic character. We have a new shape of the initial theme, first with the French horns and then with the trombones. The music gets a quicker tempo and flows into a quick movement describing the winds and waves at sea ("Wind and Waves"). Three themes are gathering and some variations are developed. The music gets more and more energetic and, after a climax, calms down again. Then we have a kind of "summer pastoral" which suggests summer at the South coast of Cornwall ("South Coast of Penwith Peninsuia in Summer"). This is certainly not the hotte st summer in Europe, but still it is beautiful in this country that is blessed with so much rain. In the "pastoral" , the sea is already sketched in broad outlines in the French horn solo. The magnificence of an aftemoon at the seaside is developed at the end of the composition ("Noon at Treen Cliff', a rock protruding in the sea next to Porthcumo at the South Coast of Cornwall); here the music gets stronger and stronger and after a majestic climax it vanishes completely.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£202.99Gloriosa - Symphonic Poem for Band Movement 1 - Yasuhide Ito
A new acquisition by Bravo Music, this fresh printing of the 1990 masterwork by Yasuhide Ito features a newly engraved score, improved parts, good availability and value. This stirring and powerful homage to early Christianity in Japan profoundly and eloquently states the case of cross-cultural conflict and resolution.I. OratioThe Gregorian chant "Gloriosa" begins with the words, "O gloriosa Domina excelsa super sidera que te creavit provide lactasti sacro ubere." The first movement Oratio opens with bells sounding the hymn's initial phrases. The movement as a whole evokes the fervent prayers and suffering of the Crypto-Christians.II. CantusIII. Dies FestusCommissioned in 1989 and premiered in 1990 by the Sasebo Band of the Maritime Self-Defense Force of Kyushu, southern Japan.Gloriosa is inspired by the songs of the Kakure-Kirishitan (Crypto-Christians) of Kyushu who continued to practice their faith surreptitiously after the ban of Christianity, which had been introduced to that southern region in the mid-16th century by Roman Catholic missionary Francisco Xavier. The worship brought with it a variety of western music.Though Christianity was proscribed in 1612 by authority of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo (today Tokyo), Kakure-Kirishitan continued advocating sermons and disguised songs. Melodies and lyrics such as Gregorian chant were obliged to be "Japanized". For example, the Latin word "Gloriosa" was changed to "Gururiyoza." This adaptation of liturgy for survival inspired Ito to write this piece in order to reveal and solve this unique cultural mystery.The composer explains:"Nagasaki district in Kyushu region continued to accept foreign culture even during the seclusion period, as Japan's only window to the outer world. After the proscription of Christianity, the faith was preserved and handed down in secret in the Nagasaki and Shimabara areas of Kyushu region. My interest was piqued by the way in which the Latin words of Gregorian chants were gradually `Japanized' during the 200 years of hidden practice of the Christian faith. That music forms the basis of Gloriosa."Gloriosa, fusing Gregorian chant and Japanese folk music, displays the most sophisticated counterpoint yet found in any Japanese composition for wind orchestra.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£209.99
Gloriosa - Symphonic Poem for Band Mvt 2 & 3 - Yasuhide Ito
A new acquisition by Bravo Music, this fresh printing of the 1990 masterwork by Yasuhide Ito features a newly engraved score, improved parts, good availability and value. This stirring and powerful homage to early Christianity in Japan profoundly and eloquently states the case of cross-cultural conflict and resolution.I. OratioThe Gregorian chant "Gloriosa" begins with the words, "O gloriosa Domina excelsa super sidera que te creavit provide lactasti sacro ubere." The first movement Oratio opens with bells sounding the hymn's initial phrases. The movement as a whole evokes the fervent prayers and suffering of the Crypto-Christians.II. CantusIII. Dies FestusCommissioned in 1989 and premiered in 1990 by the Sasebo Band of the Maritime Self-Defense Force of Kyushu, southern Japan.Gloriosa is inspired by the songs of the Kakure-Kirishitan (Crypto-Christians) of Kyushu who continued to practice their faith surreptitiously after the ban of Christianity, which had been introduced to that southern region in the mid-16th century by Roman Catholic missionary Francisco Xavier. The worship brought with it a variety of western music.Though Christianity was proscribed in 1612 by authority of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo (today Tokyo), Kakure-Kirishitan continued advocating sermons and disguised songs. Melodies and lyrics such as Gregorian chant were obliged to be "Japanized". For example, the Latin word "Gloriosa" was changed to "Gururiyoza." This adaptation of liturgy for survival inspired Ito to write this piece in order to reveal and solve this unique cultural mystery.The composer explains:"Nagasaki district in Kyushu region continued to accept foreign culture even during the seclusion period, as Japan's only window to the outer world. After the proscription of Christianity, the faith was preserved and handed down in secret in the Nagasaki and Shimabara areas of Kyushu region. My interest was piqued by the way in which the Latin words of Gregorian chants were gradually `Japanized' during the 200 years of hidden practice of the Christian faith. That music forms the basis of Gloriosa."Gloriosa, fusing Gregorian chant and Japanese folk music, displays the most sophisticated counterpoint yet found in any Japanese composition for wind orchestra.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£79.99Scherzo from Symphony No. 5 - Dimitri Shostakovich
The second movement of Shostakovich's masterful and subversive Fifth Symphony, written as his career as a composer in communist Russia teetered in the balance, could suggest a barely literate composer from the Bureau of Artists coming to the great Shostakovich to demonstrate, through a most grotesque dance, how simple it is to compose great music under the Soviet System. This transcription of the Scherzo movement was produced by Mark Rogers, who also transcribed the complete symphony. In the transcription of the complete work, all of the music remains in the original key, while in this publication, the second movement is transposed down a whole tone to G minor. Other than the transposition and the removal of some of the more rarely found instruments (E flat clarinet, contrabassoon and harp), the music is intact, and represents the composer's intentions in every way. Conductors who choose to perform this piece will introduce their players to this important voice in Twentieth Century music and bring major issues about political life and its impact on creative life to their students in the most relevant fashion.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£248.99Elements of Nature - Hermann Pallhuber
Earth - Fire - Water - Air: According to the four element theory of temperaments, earth, fire, air and water are the building blocks of the universe. Without them, life would not exist. They shape our view of the world around us, affect our thoughts and guide our feelings. Classifying our cosmos according to the four elements is probably one of the oldest principles of mankind, dating back to the ancient Greeks, and maybe even before them. While we know more about the elements and atoms, these four are still deeply embedded inthe human psyche. According to ancient Greek philosophers, each of the four elements has its own particular attributes. All other substances in nature aresaid to have emerged from these elements and can be broken down into them.All creatures, including human beings, contain a mixture of these four elements, which shape their senses. The elements are even able to balance out the body and the soul.This suite, Elements of Nature, is in four movements, each corresponding to one of the elements.Dances of Fire: Savage, occult, dangerous - Fire signifies the will of man.The Circle of Water: Flowingly, endless, mighty - Water sums up the feelings of human beings.Planet Earth: Structured, material, fertile - Earth stands for the awareness of the self.Air - The Spirit of Life: Stirring, altering, sensual - Air signifies human intellect.Elements of Nature contains a main theme that combines the female elements (earth and water) with the male elements (fire and air). The four movements are also linked to each other by their motifs. A majestic prologue and an epilogue frame the suite.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99Let's Celebrate - Dagmar Kildevann
Is there something to be celebrated? Then let's play 'Let's Celebrate'! This four-part suite has been based on two birthday songs: the world-famous 'Happy Birthday to you' (which is also sung in many other languages), and the Dutch song 'Lang zal hij/zij leven'. The Fanfare opens in grand style with the motif of 'Lang zal hij leven' and is followed by a cheerful March in which the motifs of both songs can be heard. The third part, Song, forms a moment of contemplation, and the birthday presents are unwrapped by the percussion section in the fourth part, Surprise Party. The yell may be adapted to the occasion. (the sleigh bells caused the composer to note down this somewhat peculiar yell). Of course everybody is expected to join in.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99Let's Celebrate - Sven Van Calster
From the first beat Sven Van Calster's new composition gives the message - it's time for celebrations to begin! Let's Celebrate was composed for the youth band SJOW in Hoboken, Belgium, to commemorate their 10th anniversary, and now bands around the world can use it to celebrate their own special occasions. This dynamic work gives every section a chance to shine. Lyrical melodies are heard in the woodwinds, hip beats are laid down by the drum set and the brass plays with bravura. Perfect as an opener, encore, or simply to wake up the audience!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£69.99Cowboy Suite - Alan Laken
In the tripartite 'Cowboy Suite' Alan Laken takes us to the Wild West, the domain of cowboys, indians, trappers and other fortune hunters. Around 1890 the west coast of America was reached, which in effect meant the end of the Wild West. Its stories, however, survived and have been a source of inspiration for many books, films, and, of course, music. Some characters, such as Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and Buffalo Bill are forever linked to these tales. In the 'Cowboy Suite' we first hear the 'Hoedown'. At the end of an exhausting workday the labourers used to lay down their tools, among others the 'hoes' and spontaneously began to play music on the instruments which they then possessed (guitars, fiddles, and banjos) and to dance. After being jolted on the 'Wagon Trail' we reach the third part, the 'Cowboy Roundup'. In this last part it becomes clear that as a cattle driver it is imperative to stay firmly seated in the saddle. As the cattle are rounded up, i.e. driven together, spectacular things happen.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£140.80Decennium - Eric Swiggers
'Decennium' was composed in 2003 as a commission by the municipality of Berheze for its tenth anniversary. The composition describes the history of this town in the Province of Brabant, consisting of 6 different villages: Heesch, Heeswijk, Dinther, Nistelrode, Loosbroek and Vorstenbosch. The composition starts with a slow introduction, Adagio Misterioso, suggesting the atmosphere in long-ago days when the area consisted mainly of swamps, meres and low woods. (The word 'Bern' is a synonym of 'Born' meaning source or water, whereas 'Hese' is derived from 'Haisjo' meaning brushwood ). Above the dark sounds we hear far away trumpet signals announcing the Middle Ages. After a piercing crescendo, we hear the full sound of festive trumpets. A medieval dance, as was to be heard in the Heeswijk castle, follows. This dance gets a more and more stirring character and finally turns into a merry popular dance ending with a burst of laughter reproduced by descending scales with the muted trombones and trumpets. A slow transition with a quotation from a Gregorian plainsong (Domine Deus) and church bell ringing, referring to the Abbey of Berne, brings us to a romantic Larghetto. This part describes the quiet rural life in a beautiful natural surrounding. The last dying note contrasts with the threatening ostinato, referring to the rise of the industrialization, which provoked quite some resistance with the local people. Once more we hear the 'Domine Deus' but much more powerful this time. When the resistance calms down, the work concludes with an Alla Marcia. The first notes of the main theme could be heard all through the composition and now we hear the complete main theme again. The new town is born. A festive conclusion refers both to the tenth anniversary and the optimism and confidence as to the future.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£68.99Handel in the Strand - Percy Aldridge Grainger
Handel in the Strand is one of Grainger's early light orchestral pieces, written in 1911, before he enlisted in the US Army during World War I. Grainger had no trouble allowing other musicians to arrange his music to suit their needs, so Handel in the Strand has existed in several different versions. Grainger himself said of this piece, "...the music seemed to reflect both Handel and English musical comedy... as if jovial old Handel were careening down the Strand (London's Broadway) to the strains of modern English popular music." What can one add to that? Try it and find out!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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