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£157.50Flumen - Marco Somadossi
In October 2000, the River Po produced its highest flood waters in the last hundred years, provoking a natural disaster of dramatic dimensions. To the thousands of valiant men and women committed to defending their villages against the threat of the flood is dedicated the symphonic poem entitled "Flumen" (river, in Latin), inspired by the thematic material in the Gregorian sequence, "Victimae paschali laudes". The main melody is elaborated and its essence is transfigured in an alchemy of modern sounds from which, at times, archaic echoes emerge. The composition is structured in two parts: the first ("The River") is sullen and menacing, with sounds that portray the turbulent water and the inexorable and frightening rise of the flood;this contrasts with a second section ("The People"), with its primitive rhythms and vaguely multiethnic character (expressed through modal harmonies). Here the work evokes man's ancestral struggle against the forces of nature: the strenuous defence of the Po riverside communities to against the threat of flooding. In the finale, the two themes interweave and overlap, re-establishing a symbolic and primordial equilibrium where man and nature are again in harmony with each other.
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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£68.50Eagle Spirit March - Bene Davis
"Eagle Spirit March" captures the heart of traditional marches. With thoughtful scoring and manageable ranges, it strikes the perfect balance between challenge and accessibility - allowing every player to get either a melody or countermelody. Its engaging form, from the dogfight to the full-band finale, ensures players and audiences stay hooked until the last note.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.50Shock Wave - Gary D. Ziek
Shock Wave is a high-energy piece, driven by a constant sense of propulsion and rippling waves of motion. The initial shock wave is provided by percussion, leading into a tension-filled section with multiple layers of sound scattered throughout. Each new entrance or wave is accompanied by solo percussion which builds to a frenzied, swirling state. Layer upon layer of musical pressure builds until the final resolution with the percussion getting the last word, providing one final "aftershock" for a decisive finish.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.50A Golden Legacy - Scott Watson
The music of A Golden Legacy reflects both the joy and reverence many of us feel in our role as transmitters of the band tradition. The legacy in the title refers to the long-lasting impact directors have on students lives. This piece alternates between two themes - the first is a majestic fanfare that develops into a purposeful and resolute march; the second theme is a reverent hymnlike chorale that undergoes several variations, with the last one erupting into a festive musical celebration for an exuberant finish.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£82.50Detonation - Gary D. Ziek
This intense and volatile piece lights the fuse with a one-bar introduction that leads to and ignites the impact of the full band. A unifying four-note motif makes several expanded appearances. A brief period of calm is underpinned by a series of pulsating ostinati which maintain a constant state of agitation. In the explosive conclusion, the percussion section provides the last word with one final detonation.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£179.99Austrian Overture - Thomas Doss
Austria is an industrious country. During the last century--which was characterized by extreme changes--the hard-working and ambitious people achieved a great deal, enduring two world wars and numerous political skirmishes. Despite all the problems involved in a change from a dual monarchy to a small state, Austria has found its independence. With his Austrian Overture, Thomas Doss looks toward the future. The first part of the composition provides an optimistic outlook; along with the happiness and energy, some musical humor is also present: while the horns powerfully express joy, small yodeling melodies sound throughout. As the rhythm continues insearch of new ways to go, catchy tunes compete to be heard. However, in addition to the energetic, diligent Austria, there's also the quiet landscape where one can enjoy repose and beauty. These aspects - as well as the freedom of spirit and cultural life -are conveyed in the second part of the work through the surprising linking of chords, romantic phrasing, and tender melodies. But life never stands still: creativity, ambition, and work are the driving forces of our existence. Embracing this thought, a reprise of the first part provides a compelling ending.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£159.99Solemnitas - Franco Cesarini
Each year on the last Monday in June, the German city of Burgdorf celebrates the holiday of youth, the so called 'Solennitat'. It is the most important event occurring in the city and consists of three processions walking through the centre of town to celebrate, at the city's expense, the good results achieved in school. This new work by Franco Cesarini takes it's inspiration from this event and leads us through contrasting variations of a Swiss folk tune.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£89.99Prima la Musica - Thomas Doss
This work describes the development of a local village band as it grows in both size and ability to become a symphonic wind band. It is dedicated to all orchestras that follow the same, sometimes hard, road. No matter what, the focus should always be the music, providing us with the energy and motivation we need along the way! With this in mind the march Prima la Musica reflects a spirit of change and optimism from the first to the last note.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£144.99Jungle - Thomas Doss
In this fascinating piece we experience an exciting adventure in the jungle. The entrance into the "green hell" turns out to be very dangerous with wild monkeys and the roaring of elephants accompanying our way through the dark forest. There seems to be something lurking behind every tree and all of a sudden, a horde of savage cannibals appears. A wild hunt sets off and we escape at the last second by jumping from a cliff into the savage water below. Exotic birds welcome us in a new landscape and from somewhere in the distance we can hear a bamboo flute playing. This is a journey of no return.... The effects (elephants, wild monkeys, exotic birds and rain) should be producedwith much creativity - individual ideas are always desirable and welcome.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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