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£207.00Das Liebesverbot - Richard Wagner
This young, comic opera, composed in 1835 on one of Wagner's own libretti, based on a play by Shakespeare, was unsuccessful at the Magdeburg theatre in 1836 and even the composer considered it a "sin of youth". After attempting in vain to have his first opera, "Le Fate", performed in Germany, Richard Wagner decided that his lack of success was due to the overwhelming competition of Italo-French music. He listened to Bellini, and became aware of the objective reasons for the great success of this music, comparing the warmth of life of Italian music to the frozen and meticulous German style. Hence he composed " Das Liebesverbot " with the sole aim of giving intense pleasure tothe public, without worrying about succumbing to the clichs of French and Italian music. That is why, when we listen to this music without knowing the name of the composer, we find ourselves in an embarrassing situation. We could easily attribute the work to some French composer, Meyerbeer, or Auber, for instance, but then the melodic ease and constructive linearity would bring Rossini to mind. By paying closer attention, however, we notice a boldness, an aggressiveness and a wealth of ideas that, together with clever orchestration, reveal the touch of the great German musician. " Das Liebesverbot " deserves to be performed more often, and we feel sure that the transcription for band will be an excellent vehicle of diffusion for this symphony.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£113.30Moderate Dances - Angelo Sormani
This piece is a tribute to dance music, especially passionate, intense and meditative dance music. "Moderate Dances" is divided into three movements: a "Tango", a "Slow Waltz" and a "Bossa Nova". Each movement and each dance has its own particular characteristics but, when combined, these different rhythmic beats and times give the piece a feeling of completeness and uniformity. The Tango started to flourish in the suburbs of Buenos Aires in around 1880. There is still some doubt as to its origins, which may be Cuban (Habanera) but are probably African. It was most popular in Argentina and Brazil: here the male protagonist was originally the "gaucho" with his inseparable guitar, later to be replaced by the proud, elegant "compadre". By around 1910 the Tango had spread to Italy and France. New clubs opened, where the upper classes could watch and dance the Tango. Here the dance also underwent some rapid transformations. The exaggerated and extravagant gestures and body movements disappeared. Slow, gliding steps replaced the old rotational movements. The women's red ankle-boots and the partners "staring into each other's eyes" accentuated the erotic nature and sensuality of this dance. So much so that, in 1913, the German government banned soldiers from dancing the Tango. Those who broke the law were immediately discharged from the army. From a strictly musical perspective, the basic instruments were a flute, a harp (the diatonic harp typically played by the Indians of Paraguay) and a violin, or flute, guitar and violin or even clarinet, guitar and violin. These instruments were easy to transport, ideal for playing at parties, in the streets and in courtyards. The musicians played by ear, frequently improvising: there were no scores, no records, which is the main reason why it is impossible to trace the Tango back to its exact origins. However, the Tango's evolution (and growing popularity) was once again fostered by its fundamental ability to absorb "other" cultures, languages and sounds. And it was the arrival of the "bandoneon" (an accordion-like instrument that was invented in Germany and brought to Rio de la Plata by some immigrant), which replaced the flute, that marked the beginning of the Tango's huge success outside Argentina. A number of talented composers, above all the great Astor Piazzola (1921-1992), transformed the bandoneon from a simple accompanying instrument to a solo instrument that was to become the distinguishing feature of the 20th century Tango. The Slow Waltz originated from the Waltz, the typical dance of the Bavarian and Tyrolese peasants in the 1700s. It was composers like Johann Strauss, father and son, who carried the Waltz to its zenith in the 1800s, creating the sensual and melancholy yet joyful and charming dance we are all familiar with. When the Waltz first became popular in Germany, the members of respectable society were shocked at the closeness of the dancing partners, who had always previously danced apart. The main difference between the Waltz and Slow Waltz is that the latter has a slower, more expressive rhythm: the men wear tails and the women wear ball gowns decorated with beads and feathers and couples dance in graceful rotational movements. "Bossa Nova" is the title of the last movement in the piece. Jobim, the great Brazilian musician, described this musical genre as a combination of modern Jazz and Samba. Bossa Nova means "new wave". This was the name of the artistic and musical movement that evolved in Brazil in the late Fifties and was extremely popular throughout the Sixties. The songs are usually about love or social matters, drawing inspiration from the slums of Rio De Janeiro and the lives of their inhabitants. Bossa Nova, with its original compositions and the artistic talent of its musicians, also became hugely popular in the United States and Europe, and top Jazz musicians (Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Bob Cooper, Charlie Bird, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Dizzy Gillespie) started to include Bossa in their repertoires.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£71.50Snowbird - Barry E. Kopetz
Reflecting the grandeur and glory of some of Americas great mountains, this piece is a musical portrayal of the beauty and the scenery as seen from the tops of the great ski mountains in Utah, some 11,000 feet above sea level.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£71.50Triumphant Celebration - John Prescott
A grand work inspired by one of the great wonders of the world. Few places on earth are as spectacular as the Great Wall of China, and few events more rewarding than climbing it to the top. The view is spectacular, and the wind blowing through an ancient signal tower cools you down as you celebrate the exhilarating feeling of having climbed to the top. This work reflects the feelings of triumph and accomplishment the composer experienced when he scaled this grand and epic monument.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£202.99Captain Marco - Hayato Hirose
Hayato Hirose composed this dramatic piece based on the great journey of Marco Polo, Italian traveller and one of the first Europeans ever to visit Asia. In the 13th century, he made a long journey from Venice to Mongolia with his father. After his arrival, he was sent to the various regions in Asia by the Mongolian government to take notes about the culture, the people, and the way of life in those areas. Celebrate the life of this great explorer with this dynamic new concert work.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99Marching Blues Wind Band Set (Score & Parts)
Marching Blues was written in the blues and swing-jazz style of the great big bands. It is an ideal show march that can be used for encores, popular performances, family concerts and much more. It is unusual in that it features a 28 bar solo for tuba, tenor saxophone, or baritone saxophone. From small ensembles to large bands, Marching Blues will bring great joy to all generations of performers and audiences at any occasion. 0:04:00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£52.99Secret Agent - Rob Romeyn
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: A fun and intriguing novelty tune that invokes imagery of the great spy movies with mystery and suspense. Plenty of good teaching opportunities, and musical variety will keep performers and audiences in suspense and engaged until the last note. A great change of pace selection for any concert program.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£71.50Bainbridge Fair - Claude T. Smith
Written in the great European march style, this wonderful piece has great musical appeal without overly technical demands.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99
Marching Blues - Hayato Hirose
Marching Blues was written in the blues and swing-jazz style of the great big bands. It is an ideal show march that can be used for encores, popular performances, family concerts and much more. It is unusual in that it features a 28 bar solo for tuba, tenor saxophone, or baritone saxophone. From small ensembles to large bands, Marching Blues will bring great joy to all generations of performers and audiences at any occasion.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£82.50Diplomat - John Philip Sousa
One of the great classic Sousa marches, this edition is based on research combining early editions and historically informed Sousa performances. Now bands and conductors can present this great traditional march with the style and interpretation that made Sousa famous.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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