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£134.99
The Enemy God and the Dance of the Spirits - Sergei Prokofiev
The Russian ballet director Sergei Diaghilev commissioned many composers to write music for the theatre. This was what caused Serge Prokofiev to compose the four part Scytische Suite (also known as Ala and Lolli) in 1916, from which The Enemy God and the Dance of the Spirits can be heard on this CD. This suite is one of Prokofiev's first works, and received negative criticism following its first performance on account of its being "uncivilised". Prokofiev himself wrote after this first performance ". . . The timpani player beat the skin of the timpani to tatters, and the whole orchestra voiced a protest. A cellist complained that he only put up with the violence, createdby the blaring brass, on account of his sick wife and three children . . .".
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£154.99Symphonic Variations - Jacob de Haan
This composition is based on a passacaglia theme, in which artistic perfection, symphonic drama and oriental melody lines play a role. The passacaglia is originally a dance made up of a series of variations above a bass line constantly present as an ostinato. It is not in this sense that the "Symphonic Variations" are in the passacaglia form but in the sense of the open form of the variations. Jacob de Haan, himself originally an organist, took his inspiration for this piece from the famous passacaglia for organ in C-minor by J.S. Bach. Following the introduction of the passacaglia theme (in the bass) the entry by the trumpets and trombones forms the majestic start to amusical adventure, in which this theme (often fragmentary) returns in variations. Then there follow two faster movements with dramatic contrasts and virtuose passages. Particularly striking here is the use of two characteristic intervals from the beginning of the theme namely the minor second and the augmented fourth. An apause in the composition comes in the slow bridge where a syncopated bourdon (perfect fifth) is constantly repeated. The tension grows in dynamics and harmony, and the oriental-flavour becomes obvious in the melody. We arrive at a faster movement via an accelerando, in which a perpetuum mobile based on the passacaglia theme is central. Finally the whole flows into a martial theme, in which the ostinato accompaniment n the descant derives from the passacaglia theme.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£264.99Pome Montagnard - Jan Van der Roost
Jan Van der Roost received the commission for this work from the 'Orchestre d'Harmonie du Val d'Aoste' and dedicated the composition to Lino Blanchod, the conductor of the orchestra. The first performance was on 26th January 1997 by the orchestra itself and under the direction of the composer. This extensive symphonic poem depicts the atmosphere and history of the autonomous French speaking region 'Val d'Aoste' in northern Italy, and is meant as a musical homage to the historical figure Cathrine de Challant.The opening of this piece describes the rugged nature of this region dominated by Mont Blanc, the roof of Europe. A brief, combative passage conjures up the numerous warsfought here through the ages, later expanding into a surprising 'Renaissance Dance' with an original and fitting recorder quartet. A broad, lyrical theme portrays the love that has always played an important role here. After recapturing several of the earlier themes, the piece closes with the renaissance dance, this time played by the brass. A spectacular finale brings this symphonic poem to a close.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£144.99Ross Roy - Jacob de Haan
Jacob de Haan was commissioned to compose this concert piece by the "St. Peters Wind Symphony" from Brisbane, Australia. "Ross Roy" is the monumental late 19th century villa where St. Peters Lutheran College was founded in 1945. The villa has always remained the school symbol. In this composition, Jacob de Haan sees the "Ross Roy" as a metaphor for the years spent at school (a monument in time), where one's personality is formed. So, the opening theme the artist calls the Ross Roy theme initially has monumental characteristics.The rhythmic motion, which strides along in the lower register and percussion at the beginning of the next section is typical of "Tempo di Marcia". Thismovement, accompanied by repetitions of sound, is a metaphor for the structure and discipline in school. This is the introduction to a march theme, symbolic of "passing through" the classes up to the final examinations.Then, the Ross Roy theme is dealt with again, now in a playful, humorous variation. As if the composer is saying there should also be time for a smile in school. The same theme can be heard in major key and a slower tempo in the following section, expressing pride and self-confidence. This is also the introduction to the expressive middle section that represents love, friendship and understanding.We then return to the march theme in a slightly altered construction. The oriental sounds, constituting the modulation to the final theme, are symbols of the diversity of cultures in the school. The characteristic final theme first sounds solemn, but turns into a festive apotheosis. It is no coincidence that the final cadence is reminiscent of the close to a traditional overture, for the school years can be considered the "overture" to the rest of one's life. The premiere of "Ross Roy" was conducted by Jacob de Haan in Brisbane, on August 22, 1997.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£204.99
The Titanic Saga - Piet Swerts
Following the spectacular movie Titanic, the story of the world famous ship stood in the spotlights once again. Piet Swerts was inspired by this catastrophic saga to compose this beautifully narrative piece, reflecting the masses of people in Southampton, playing children and the undulating sea. The piece gradually picks up impetuously culminating with the looming iceberg and the dramatic sinking of the Titanic.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£139.99
Cobra - Jan Bosveld
Shortly after the Second World War, a combative movement of Danish, Belgian and Dutch artists chose the cobra snake - extremely dangerous yet considered sacred - as a symbol of their resistance to strict guideliness of form. The name "Cobra" also happens to contain the first letters of the cities Copenhagen, Brussels ans Amsterdam, from where most of the movement's members came. The Cobra movement, which existed from November 1948 until November 1951, can with some justicication be called the last major avant-garde movement of the 20th century.The source of inspiration for the composition Cobra comes from four paintings: "Obhobning" by the Dane Egill Jacobsen; "La jeune fille et lamort" by the Belgian Pierre Alechinsky; "Orgeldraaier" and "Le rythme joyeux de la ville" by the Dutch artists Karel Appel and Corneille. Obhobning means "pile-up", which is represented musically in the first part by a melodic and harmonic pilling up of perfect fourth's. The first part is also characterized by a rhythmic feeling, which the painting gives through its use of numerous black stripes. In the painting La jeune fille et la mort, Pierre Alechinsky places a young girl opposite Death. The second part features the constantly pulsating motion of live while a creeping, dark, melodic line develops. The tension between life and death is tangible as a battle reveals itself. In part three, one hears the Orgeldraaier by Karel Appel, as cheerful and playful as an organ grinder's music. The painting Le rythme joyeux de la ville by Corneille is busy and extremely dynamic, a perfect source of inspiration for a powerful, rhythmic ending to this composition.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£104.99Pasadena - Jacob de Haan
This piece takes you on a journey to the sunny Californian city of Pasadena. The piece reflects two contrasting aspects of the city,. Firstly the serene expressive side with exquisite statues, works of art and sun drenched villas and secondly the hot Latin side with the street parade which leads up to the famous American Football final in the Rose Bowl stadium.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99
Lascia ch'io pianga (Let Me Weep) - Georg Friedrich Händel
Film music is usually written to match the action in a scenario. Sometimes the opposite is true as is proved by Jacob de Haan's piece La Storia. Written for creative musicians and audiences, the listener is given the opportunity of making up his own story to fit the music, without even the restriction of composer's comments.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£84.99Toccata - Claudio Monteverdi
Claudio Monteverdi composed this toccata as an instrumental introduction for the opera L'Orfeo (1607). According to the composer, this introduction should be played three times before the rising of the curtain. This is actually the first overture in the history of opera.)The story of Orfeo, who enchanted nature with his music, is tragic, as he loses his beloved Eurydice and decides to retrieve her from the underworld. On their return journey, one glance back at her is fatal: he loses her for the second time.)This arrangement for wind band is very suitable as a concert opener. The toccata is played three times just like the original. The first time it is played by a quintetconsisting of two trumpets and three trombones.)Various ways of performing this toccata are possible. The tension builds up more intensely if the quintet starts off stage. Eventually, these five players join the band, after which the tutti version follows two times. You can also have the brass play from the gallery during the second or third time for a double choir effect.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£118.99
Kaiser-Walzer - Johann Strauss Jr.
Everybody loves a Strauss waltz and they can beguaranteed to put a smile on the face of the audienceduring a concert. This waltz was composed in1888 by Johann Strauss, Jr. and many peopleconsider it to be his best composition - evenrivalling The Blue Danube.The Kaiser-Walzer has a quiet, rather melancholicopening, entirely in character with the personalityof the calm and dignified monarch Franz-Josef towhom it was dedicated. It is full of playful motifsand refined surprises and the lilting melody is sureto make everyone want to get up and dance.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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