Results
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£49.95Malcolm Arnold Variations (Score Only)
MALCOLM ARNOLD VARIATIONS was commissioned by Philip Biggs and Richard Franklin for the 20th All England Masters International Brass Band Championship held in the Corn Exchange, Cambridge on 25 May 2008. The work is dedicated to Anthony Day, long time carer of Sir Malcolm Arnold in his final years. I first met Malcolm and Anthony in 1990 and remained in constant touch until Malcolm's passing in 2006. Anthony, of course, remains a friend and plays his own role subliminally in this piece. The work is not based on any of Malcolm Arnold's own themes, rather it is a portrait of him (and by association Anthony Day) through my eyes and as a result of my friendship with both parties over some 18 years. If there is any theme as such it is the personalities of the players, the protagonist and his carer placed together by my own efforts coloured and influenced by aspects of Arnold's style and technique without recourse to direct quotation but through allusion and parody. It is of course designed as a brass band test piece but in my eyes is first and foremost a musical challenge. The pyrotechnical elements are there but always secondary to the musical thrust of the work's structure. I have long beforehand submerged myself in Malcolm Arnold's music and ultimately delivered this tribute. Music Directors will be advised to acquaint themselves with the composer's personal music, particularly the film scores, symphonies, concertos and ballets: the solutions towards a successful interpretation of my piece are all in there - and YES, I want, and sanction, this piece to be interpreted, and therein lies the challenge for those of you 'up front'! The challenge for players is that of virtuosity, ensemble and careful attention to where they are individually in relation to their colleagues - a question of balance, taste and insight. With regard to tempi, as is my usual custom, I have indicated all metronome marks with the prefix circa. I would suggest that the fast music is played at these tempos but that the more rubato moments can be allowed some freedom in expression and fluidity of line. With regard to the type of mutes to be employed - this decision I leave to the discretion of players and conductors. Structurally the work is cast as an Introduction, 20 Variations and a Finale. Some variations are self contained, others run into each other as sequences in the same tempo. In other variations, segments are repeated and developed. I could describe the overall concept as a miniature ballet or a condensed film score - there is much drama and character and the repeated elements assist this in driving the action forward. I have deliberately avoided the more extremely dark qualities of Malcolm's own music in this, my celebration of this master-composer, as I have always viewed (and evidenced by my previous Masters scores Tristan Encounters and Chivalry) that the Cambridge contest is a 'sunshine- affair' and firmly believe that Malcolm Arnold would have had it no other way too!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£40.00Hymn at Sunrise (Score only) - Ray Steadman-Allen
The idea for this work was prompted by a poem - Hymn Before Sunrise - which describes the majesty of a mountain in darkness, the sounds of a nearby waterfall and so on. Nothing came of the exposure to these pictures except for general thoughts about the dawn of day and a series of movements expressing a personal response to the wonder of creation in an imaginary moment in time. The movement titles, which were added later, are intended to underline a prevailing sense of worship, wonder and exaltation. The music is pure, not pictoral, though listeners may conjure their own images. An actual hymn - Tallis' Cannon - is incorporated. There are five movements: 1. Thanksgiving: A short prelude in two parts. First a brief passage of 'dawn music' before things become more vigorous: fanfare-like music ushers in the trombone section's presentation of the Tallis tune. A broad band version concludes the movement. 2. De Profundis: A slow movement shot through with anxious questionings featuring flugel and trombone. The mood lightens a little in the centre where the soprano cornet is featured and the movement ends serenely. 3. Celebration is characterised by rhythmic drive, this is buoyant with plenty of incident pointed up by the percussion. 4. Invocation: Melodic in nature and sober in mood, the first section is a series of short solos mingled with chorale-like statements. Central to the movement is a chorale-prelude style presentation of the Tallis tune. The third section reintroduces the earlier solo music by the full ensemble. Dissolving, the music enters the last movement without a break. 5. Paean: Marked allegro con spirito there is, quite rightly, a fair amount of fun in the rejoicing. Snatches of Tallis are heard, then comes a gentle passage with a cornet solo leading to fanfare music and recapitulation. Two recitatives are succeeded by a coda which brings the work to a sonorous and exultant conclusion.
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£50.00Hymn at Sunrise (Parts only) - Ray Steadman-Allen
The idea for this work was prompted by a poem - Hymn Before Sunrise - which describes the majesty of a mountain in darkness, the sounds of a nearby waterfall and so on. Nothing came of the exposure to these pictures except for general thoughts about the dawn of day and a series of movements expressing a personal response to the wonder of creation in an imaginary moment in time. The movement titles, which were added later, are intended to underline a prevailing sense of worship, wonder and exaltation. The music is pure, not pictoral, though listeners may conjure their own images. An actual hymn - Tallis' Cannon - is incorporated. There are five movements: 1. Thanksgiving: A short prelude in two parts. First a brief passage of 'dawn music' before things become more vigorous: fanfare-like music ushers in the trombone section's presentation of the Tallis tune. A broad band version concludes the movement. 2. De Profundis: A slow movement shot through with anxious questionings featuring flugel and trombone. The mood lightens a little in the centre where the soprano cornet is featured and the movement ends serenely. 3. Celebration is characterised by rhythmic drive, this is buoyant with plenty of incident pointed up by the percussion. 4. Invocation: Melodic in nature and sober in mood, the first section is a series of short solos mingled with chorale-like statements. Central to the movement is a chorale-prelude style presentation of the Tallis tune. The third section reintroduces the earlier solo music by the full ensemble. Dissolving, the music enters the last movement without a break. 5. Paean: Marked allegro con spirito there is, quite rightly, a fair amount of fun in the rejoicing. Snatches of Tallis are heard, then comes a gentle passage with a cornet solo leading to fanfare music and recapitulation. Two recitatives are succeeded by a coda which brings the work to a sonorous and exultant conclusion.
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£40.00Partita for Band (Postcards from Home) (Score only) - Philip Wilby
The sound and culture of brass bands was part of Philip Wilby's childhood, and this short Partita seeks to commemorate his childish memories in the musical terms of today's currency. Although the music makes technical demands on the players the piece is, nevertheless designed to involve rather than impress its audiences. There are four movements: 'Towers and Chimneys' which is both heraldic and mysterious; 'Churches: Lord of the Dance' is an arrangement of the famous shaker melody made popular in Martin Shaw's hymn of Jesus' life and history; 'Pastorale: Sunday Afternoon recalls those long and languorous days before television, and 'Coronation Day Parade' - a community celebration with a brass band at its centre. Duration: 12:00
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£50.00Partita for Band (Postcards from Home) (Parts only) - Philip WIlby
The sound and culture of brass bands was part of Philip Wilby's childhood, and this short Partita seeks to commemorate his childish memories in the musical terms of today's currency. Although the music makes technical demands on the players the piece is, nevertheless designed to involve rather than impress its audiences. There are four movements: 'Towers and Chimneys' which is both heraldic and mysterious; 'Churches: Lord of the Dance' is an arrangement of the famous shaker melody made popular in Martin Shaw's hymn of Jesus' life and history; 'Pastorale: Sunday Afternoon recalls those long and langorous days before television, and 'Coronation Day Parade' - a community celebration with a brass band at its centre. Duration: 12:00
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£24.95The Great Parade (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Downie, Kenneth
This piece is intended to be a bright, sparkling concert march and features the spiritual 'I got a robe'. The quick tempo is to encourage a performance of sparkle and wit and, at the same time, to reflect the mood of celebration in the spiritual. The song was sung by slaves to encourage them to remember that, although they might be deprived of even basic items like robes in their present plight, one day, when they get to heaven, 'all God's children got a robe'.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£12.50
The Great Parade (Brass Band - Score Only) - Downie, Kenneth
This piece is intended to be a bright, sparkling concert march and features the spiritual 'I got a robe'. The quick tempo is to encourage a performance of sparkle and wit and, at the same time, to reflect the mood of celebration in the spiritual. The song was sung by slaves to encourage them to remember that, although they might be deprived of even basic items like robes in their present plight, one day, when they get to heaven, 'all God's children got a robe'.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£57.50The Earl of Oxford's March (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Byrd, William
The Battell was written during the late 14th Century when England was in a mood of national celebration after victory over the Spanish and French Armadas. The movement which Byrd called Marche Before The Battell became known as The Earl of Oxford's Marchand it appears with that title in an early manuscript copy of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. Written while Byrd was at the height of his powers, it still stirs the soul to this day. A perfect opener for your concert performances.Duration: 4:45
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£68.99Jubilation! (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Curnow, James
In 1868 William Francis Allen published a collection of spirituals, songs sung by slaves whilst they worked. This book started a flood of enthusiasm for the spiritual which continues to this day. Jubilation (a time for celebration) uses the spiritual 'My Lord, What A Morning' as the main melody for transitions and modulations throughout and to introduce three further spirituals: I'm Gonna Sing, Steal Away and Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit.Duration: 5:50
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£55.00EPISODES FOR BRASS (Brass Band - Score and Parts) - Churcher, Gareth
Despite the title's inference, the work's form is not episodic, but more a depiction of various episodes in the life of the composer, who penned it for his wedding to capture the excitement and majesty of the day. The piece is in three movements: Fanfare and Bells of Celebration, Solenne (dedicated to the late Shaun Thomas), and Finale, which starts with a wake-up call, followed by a fanfare for cornets and trombones.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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