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£184.99
Rubicon - Bert Appermont
The Rubicon is a river in Northern Italy which Julius Caesar crossed with his army in 49 BC in defiance of the leaders of Rome, who feared his power. A civil war against rival Pompey ensued, which culminated in Caesar seizing power as the absoluteruler of Rome. The phrase "crossing the Rubicon" therefore refers to any person committing himself irrevocably to a risky, decisive and irrevocable of course of action.The work consists of three parts that deal with this important moment in history.Part 1 (Meditation) symbolises Caesars request to the Gods to assist him in his difficult choice. In a slow introduction we hear the melancholy and beseeching sounds of the duduk (alternatively, this part can be played by a soprano saxophone)and of the soprano solo singer over the bourdon accompaniment. The soprano solo singer then sings "dona tibi pacem" (give him rest) in a melodious and probing theme.In Part 2 (Battle of Pharsalus) trumpets and trombones resound alternately ina stately Roman fanfare, producing a stereophonic effect. This develops into a martial theme in which Caesars impressive army goes to battle against the army of rival Pompey. While the theme of Caesars army fades away, Pompeys theme emerges as anaive dance in six-eight time. His army is definitely in the majority and it believes it can easily defeat the enemy. Suddenly trumpets and trombones clash on two sides of the orchestra: Caesars army advances and attacks. A fierce battle ensues inwhich the two themes are played alternately as well as simultaneously. Thanks to his shrewd battle tactics, Caesar manages to win this legendary battle after all: his theme resounds ever louder in trumpets and horns until everything dies out andchanges into a kind of reconciliation between the soldiers of the two armies. The melancholy "dona tibi pacem" from part 1 now serves as a reconciliation theme.Caesar is now the sole ruler of the New Roman Empire, which would be destined to leave itsmark on our Western civilisation to this day. The third part is a sparkling succession of dance music (Dance) with many Greek and Roman elements in which Caesars victory is praised and celebrated. It is common knowledge that the culture(arts, gods, etc.) of the Romans drew heavily on Greek culture. I have therefore used an authentic Greek theme (the Seikolos song) several times in this part (bar 17 in the euphonium, bar 60 in the base section, bar 68 in the sopranosaxophone) to suggest the music of that era and to evoke the right atmosphere. After a gradual increase in tempo in the entire orchestra, the opening melody gloriously resounds once more, surrounded by virtuoso dance music. The work ends withbombastic brass fanfares in which Caesars theme triumphs once more.NOTE FOR THE CONDUCTOR:The Armenian duduk and the monochord that are used in the introduction give a special tone to the music, but could be substituted (soprano saxophone instead ofthe duduk) or left out (monochord). The soprano solo is also doubled within the orchestra and could therefore also be left out if necessary, although it does provide the work with an extra dimension. The male voices in the introduction and the finalecould possibly be replaced with a synthesizer with choral setting.As a visual and acoustic element in part 2, the trumpets, the e-flat cornet, the small drum and trombones can be stood up and placed at two sides of the orchestra (bar 80).Seen fromthe point of view of the conductor, put the trumpets, the e-flat cornet and the small drum in the left section and the trombones in the right section of the orchestra. This also helps to create a visual contrast between the two themes of the secondpart. The players can be seated again at bar 97 or bar 121. The soprano soloist can be placed in or in front of the orchestra, depending on what gives the best result. For the conclusion of the work the soprano solo can be sung from afar (from thewings) to create additional atmosphere.This work was composed especially for the "St Joseph" brass band from Pey/Echt (Belgium) with conductor Mark Prils.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£78.95
Canon for Christmas - Larry Clark
Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D has long been one of the most popular classical pieces, and has already been connected to Christmas through various setting of the piece. In this arrangment, the Canon is combined with popular Christmas carols as part of the fabric of the piece. Carols like Hark, the Herald Angels Sing and The First Noel fit nicely over the harmonic progression of Pachelbel's famous canon. This arrangement will work nicely with band alone or with the option to include choir (CM9401).
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99Tochter Zion - Georg Friedrich Händel
Tochter Zion, also known as See the Conquering Hero Comes, is the most famous chorus from the oratorio Judas Maccabaeus (1746) by the composer George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). The heroic epic based on the Biblical story about commander-in-chief Judas Maccabaeus, was used by Handel to celebrate the English victory over the rebellious Scottish. The first performance of this patriotic work - written in the pleasing, rich baroque style that Handel's music is known for - was conducted by himself; the success was huge. The chorus See the Conquering Hero Comes was added later, in 1748, drawn from another oratorio (Joshua).
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£144.99Festa Paesana - Jacob de Haan
Lunteren, a village on the Veluwe (a wooded region in the Netherlands), sets the scene annually for a village festival dominated by folklore. Festa Paesana (Italian for village festival) is set to music by several folkloric sketches. The theme in Festa Paesana is partly based on a Dutch anthem (Wien Neerlands bloed); when other lyrics are used it is also known as the Lunteren anthem.The work begins with a festive introduction, completed by chimes and drums, in which pieces of the Lunteren anthem are heard. The music then transitions to represent a horse auction. We hear horses run their first rounds in the auction ring while being whipped. The following theme is partly basedon the anthem. The tension of the traditional auction is amplified by an ever-increasing cadence, reaching its climax when the word ?Sold!? is shouted. The night ends with a majestic variation on the Lunteren anthem.The next morning, when the tower clock hits seven times, the village is awaked by the reveille of the heralds. In a fugatic version of the anthem, we can hear the village slowly come to life. This evolves with the chiming of all towers in the village; the celebration can begin. Carriages drawn by horses rumble through the village and thus, it is easy to hear when a horse hesitates or runs amuck. A traditional folk dance group then dances a whirling waltz while the audience shares their pleasure. Musicians march along the scene and take over the waltz theme in their march. Until deep in the night, the musicians are still heard playing in the streets. Meanwhile, we hear the anthem theme being played in a choral variation (in minor). The first time it is played quietly, as a preparation for Sunday. Then it is played in a celebrating way, enabling the devout village residents to remember the past pleasant celebration with satisfaction.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£134.99
Milestone Overture - Dirk Brossé
This work was written at the pivotal point of both two centuries and two millennia. With its hopeful melodies and triumphant parts in the brass section, the opening pictures the dawning of a new era of great expectations, characterized by the high speed of communicating all over the world, which is one of the most important aspects of life in the 21st century. This is achieved by musical themes being rapidly transferred from one musician to another. In this vortex of information and fast business transactions, the sense of individuality threatens to become extinct. At this point, Brosse silences the orchestra (a symbol of society) and draws attention to those peoplewho are less fortunate than most of us. This focus on other people culminates with an orchestral climax in which all powers come together with a feeling of euphoria.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£139.99Lorraine - Jacob de Haan
This moving symphonic poem is about the French region of Lorraine. Since the time of the Roman Empire, Lorraine has been ruled by either Germany or France with wars redrawing national boundaries many times over the years. While its history has been bloody, folk music from the region breaks up the tension in the piece and offers many uplifting moments. An optimistic conclusion features a mixture of music from the three countries Lorraine sits between: Luxembourg, Germany and France.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£40.00Scramble - Nigel Hess
Commissioned in 1994 by the Royal Air Force, 'Scramble!' is a concert overture for symphonic wind band inspired by images of the RAF's airfields during the Battle of Britain, immortalised for ever in such films as 'Reach for theSky'. The pastoral opening depicts the lull before the storm: the young pilots sitting in wicker chairs outside their barracks on a sunlit morning. The peace is, of course, deceptive, suddenly amid siren sounds, there is a shoutof 'Scramble!', and a rush to the waiting planes. In no time at all the squadron is airborne, heading for a skirmish over the English Channel and beyond. A lyrical central section featuring a solo cornet depicts the stillnessmanypilots described as they flew to engage the enemy, before the battle breaks out once more. For those who returned, it would be only a short while before, once again, they would hear the familiar shout of 'Scramble!'
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£57.50Hambone - Libby Larsen
Libby Larsen used three inspirations from her life to write Hambone. First, she was inspired by early rock 'n roll rhythms, particularly those written by Bo Diddley, from her high school days when she had her own rock band. The second inspiration is the African-American tradition of hamboning - clapping and slapping to create fun, new rhythms, and finally the melodies of the traditional cakewalk, reminiscent of Debussy's Golliwog's Cakewalk. The curriculum explores all three of these inspirations with various musical and visual examples, and explains African American oral traditions, linking this piece to places all over the world, from Ghana and the Ivory Coast to Paris, France. A free downloadable interdisciplinary curriculum for teaching Hambone is available at www.BandQuest.org. Learn more on YouTube! BandQuest, an exciting series of new music and accompanying curricula for band, is a program published by the American Composers Forum. The series was started as a response to feedback from music educators that there is a pressing need for new, fresh band music. The heart of this program is new works written by a diverse group of leading American composers who have created challenging pieces that are a true departure from standard middle school repertoire. Every BandQuest project includes a residency component in which the composer works collaboratively with a middle school as they create their new piece. Many BandQuest pieces are accompanied by an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to assist students as they learn the music and to integrate each piece with non-music studies. Visit www.bandquest.org to learn more about this innovative series, and email [email protected] to request a free downloadable audio catalog.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£217.00War and Peace - Jerker Johansson
War and Peace was commissioned 2021 by The Royal Swedish Navy Band and conductor Alexander Hanson to mark the celebration of The Svea Life Guards' 500th anniversary.I. "Fanfares and Battle" opens in a heroic and optimistic nature but changes abruptly as the medieval hymn Dies Irae, Day of Wrath, brakes in. The battle commences. The movement ends with a recap of the opening part.II. "In memoriam" is a funeral march in memory of war victims and suffering people.III. "Peace and Rejoice" pictures soldiers and people celebrating that the war is over. The music reflects an atmosphere of dignity, optimism and joy for life.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£74.99Maid of Orleans
In 1981 the group OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) managed to turn the ancient legend of Joan of Arc into a modern electro-pop song-and thus leave a landmark in the landscape of pop themselves. The solemn melody over the steady drums in 4/4time creates an almost hypnotic effect that will charm anyone who hears this wind band arrangement.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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