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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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£131.00Notes from the Road - Franco Cesarini
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds." - Edward AbbeyNotes from the Road was commissioned to Franco Cesarini by the music Federation of the Canton of Thurgau, Switzerland, as compulsory piece for the second category of the Canton Festival in 2023. The piece is written in the typical form of an Italian overture, with the sequence of veloce-lento-veloce tempi. Reflections on life and the street as its metaphor were the driving elements in composing this piece. The way represents a symbol characteristic to many cultures, so much so that the verb "to walk" or the word "path" indicate a way of being in life and of fulfilling oneself. "Making one's way" means affirming oneself; "Having a way" indicates one's own and personal approach. The road is the most beautiful metaphor of life: there is a departure, a destination, and in the middle lies a path that is sometimes winding, with challenges to overcome and directions to take.An introspective piece, an invitation to each of us to reflect on our own "path".
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£71.50The American Way - Karl L. King
A stirring performance of a King march is the perfect way to round out your concert program. Audiences love marches and this well-crafted arrangement by James Swearingen is a guaranteed toe-tapper. Singable themes, strong counter-melodies, and interesting percussion parts make this the perfect selection for that special concert. A guaranteed winner!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£64.35The American Way - Swearingen, James
A stirring performance of a King march is the perfect way to round out your concert program. Audiences love marches and this well-crafted arrangement by James Swearingen is a guaranteed toe-tapper. Singable themes, strong counter-melodies, and interesting percussion parts make this the perfect selection for that special concert. A guaranteed winner!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£244.99
Journey to the Centre of the Earth Wind Band Set (Score & Parts)
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 colors & 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 kilometers 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 - travelers 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 irruption 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. 22:00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£65.99
A Lantern in the Window - Robert Sheldon
Outstanding concert or contest piece for mid-level bands depicting the story of runaway slaves making their way north via the Underground Railroad using " a lantern in the window" as their guide to safe houses along the way. Very dramatic and provides many opportunities for independent and expressive playing by your mid-level students. Much more sophisticated that is usual at this grade level.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£45.95
The Eternal Pursuit - Jason K. Nitsch
This new contemporary work was premiered at the 2002 Midwest Clinic and is an excellent way to make use of all your percussionists. After an eerie introduction, a haunting melody is presented that continues throughout. This is definitely a unique and refreshing style which is very welcome at this grade level. Strongly consider this work from Texas composer and middle school band director, Jason Nitsch.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£244.99Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Harrie Janssen
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 thebeginning 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 colors & 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. Risingfragments 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 representthe 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, atabout 150 kilometers 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 thissingular 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 blowingup 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 - travelers 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 irruption can destroy the raft, the threesome manages to escape and climb up through acave 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.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£76.99
The Highland Trumpeter - Mike Hannickel
What a great way to feature that blossoming Trumpet soloist! The undeniably beautiful melody YE BANKS AND BRAES O' BONNIE DOON is the foundation upon which this colorful and expressive Trumpet solo piece is crafted.A closer look at the orchestration of this classic Scottish air shows that the soloist is not the only one who gets to be expressive. Subtle contrapuntal motion and vividly contrasting colors resonate throughout. This arrangement is rich and deep.Let that soloist shine!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£36.95The Red Kite (Euphonium Solo with Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Wiffin, Rob
At one time the Red Kite was close to national extinction in the UK but now it is possible to admire this distinctive bird of prey with its red colouring and forked tail. I love watching it soaring so gracefully through the sky. I attempted to catch that feeling in this solo composed for Martin Smith. In writing it I had in mind making the euphonium glide solitary and effortlessly, occasionally swooping down then reclaiming its high altitude.To create the desired atmosphere, I avoided too many root position chords and enhanced the feeling of floating by adding notes to a lot of the harmony, giving it subtle colour. The harmonic rhythm is slow but the movement switches in the way that the Red Kite can make slight changes of direction by minor adjustments of its tail. On top of this accompaniment the soloist is left to sing with a sense of grace and freedom.- Rob WiffinDuration: 3.45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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