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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£58.70Into the Unknown - From Frozen II - Kristen Anderson-Lopez - Haakon Esplo
Composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez have once again written music for Disneys sequel film Frozen II after great success in 2013 with Frozen.Many will probably remember Let it Go which became a big hit from this movie.The new movie continue to follow the main character Elsa, who sings her amazing musical number "Into the Unknown" in Frozen II. The song describes Elsa's inner conflict of choice to leave Arendelle or trace the source of a mysterious voice she continues to hear.The song is originally sung by Idina Menzel and the Norwegian artist Aurora and has elements and motifs inspired by Scandinavian herding calls. As always, the music is both magnificent and captivating and will surely be a hit for many years to come.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£69.99Tribute to Whitney Houston - Christopher Bond
It has been ten years since the American pop singer Whitney Houston passed away, but the world has not forgotten her beautiful voice. Her timeless hits - from ballads to wonderful dance tracks - are still heard on the radio. This attractive medley includes some of her greatest successes: 'How Will I Know', 'Saving All My Love for You', 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody', and 'I Will Always Love You'.
Estimated dispatch 5-10 working days
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£79.95Lost Village of Imber, The - Christopher Bond
The village of Imber on Salisbury Plain had been inhabited for over one thousand years when it was evacuated in 1943 to make way for military training in the Second World War. At the time, with preparations for the Allied invasion of Europe underway, most villagers put up no resistance, despite being upset, with the belief that they'd return once the war had concluded. To this day, Imber and its surrounding land remain a military training ground. The villagers never returned, and just the shell of what was once a community remains. Structured in three movements, it is on this very real story that the work is based, setting out the series of events of 1943 in chronological order. The first movement, On Imber Downe, portrays a sense of jollity and cohesiveness - a community of individuals living and working together before news of the evacuation had broken. Sounds of the village are heard throughout, not least in a series of percussive effects - the anvil of the blacksmith; the cowbell of the cattle and the bells of the church. The second movement, The Church of St. Giles, begins mysteriously and this sonorous, atmospheric opening depicts Imber in its desolate state and the apprehension of residents as they learn they have to leave their homes. Amidst this is the Church, a symbol of hope for villagers who one day wish to return, portrayed with a sweeping melodic passage before the music returns to the apprehension of villagers facing eviction around their sadness at losing their rural way of life. In complete contrast, the third movement, Imemerie Aeternum, portrays the arrival of the military, complete with the sounds of the ammunition, firing and tanks - sounds which were all too familiar to those living in the surround areas. To close, the Church of St. Giles theme returns in a triumphant style, representing the idea that the church has always been, even to this day, a beacon of hope for the villagers and local community - both the centrepiece and pinnacle of a very real story. The work was commissioned by Bratton Silver Band in celebration of the band's 160th Anniversary, with funding from the Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants Fund and the Brass Bands England Norman Jones Trust Fund.
Estimated dispatch 5-10 working days
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£79.95Neverland - Christopher Bond
"All children, except one, grow up" wrote J.M. Barrie about Peter Pan in 1911; the first line and an expression of beautiful melancholy and fantasy, coming to represent one of the best-loved children's stories of the twentieth century. 'Peter & Wendy', as the book was first released, has subsequently been transformed into adaptations for film and stage, with subsequent books based on this iconic tale. In writing this new work for brass band, the composer has taken three of the main themes from J. M. Barrie's book, and used these themes to create new musical material, forming a work in three contrasting sections. I. Journey to Neverland The opening of the work, mysterious in its style, reflects the opening chapters of the story - a leafy London street, still in the dead of night - with the music transforming quickly as it builds in texture and momentum - a Journey to Neverland through the night sky; Second Star to the Right and straight on 'til morning. "Then Peter knew that there was not a moment to lose. 'Come,' he cried imperiously, and soared out at once into the night, followed by John and Michael and Wendy. Mr & Mrs Darling and Nana rushed into the nursery too late. The birds were flown." II. The Windows that Closed The central section of the work takes its inspiration from the sense of longing throughout the book, mainly by Peter Pan, the Darling Children & The Lost Boys. Distant memories of life before Neverland, memories of the Lost Boys' mothers, and regret at what the children have missed. Peter says "Long ago, I thought like you that my mother would always keep the window open for me; so I stayed away for moons and moons and moons, and then flew back; but the window was barred, for mother had forgotten all about me, and there was another little boy sleeping in my bed." III. Aboard the Pirate Ship The final section of the work takes its inspiration from the Pirate Ship, and Peter Pan's ultimate battle with its infamous Captain Hook. "In person, he was cadaverous and blackavized, and his hair was dressed in long curls, which at a distance looked like black candles, and gave a singularly threatening expression to his handsome countenance. His eyes were the blue of the forget-me-not, and of a profound melancholy, save when he was plunging his hook into you, at which time two red spots appeared in them and lit them up horribly."
Estimated dispatch 5-10 working days
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£50.00
Sing Praise - Geert Jan Kroon
Sing praise is an upbeat opener or concert piece that is based on the Old Hundredth. It was a commission by Flevo Brass Emmeloord to praise the conductor/teacher Klaas de Jong. I know Klaas as a high-spirited teacher who always devotes his time to guiding young players and developing music ensembles by investing in youth bands and music education. The title is a reference to the hymn tune Old Hundredth and a message to ensembles to sing praise to teachers and youth.
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£73.00On Fire - Michael Geisler
The energy-charged work "On Fire" is the perfect beginning or end of a modern concert part. A fanfare-like introduction is followed by the first chorus, in which the catchy melody is introduced; as it progresses, it is played more and more - but always underpinned by a funky rhythm. Solos for trumpet and drums give it a special touch. This great number won't fail to deliver an impact on the audience!
Estimated dispatch 10-14 working days
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£53.00Der Yid - Paul Voet
Jews in Eastern Europe always had their typical music. Links with gipsy music are never far away. Starting with 3 cadenzas, each for cornet, euphonium and tenorhorn the band has to deal with a difficult and very fast theme of 'Der yid in Yerusholayim'. Virtuosi horns, baritone and flugelhorn often answer the main theme by cornets and euphoniums. Quick drum patterns accompany the whole movement. Growing to a raging climax at the end all possible is asked from the bandsmen as to technique and endurance.
Estimated dispatch 10-14 working days
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£68.00A Fairycocktale - J. de Vlieger/Erik Janssen
Stories, illustrated in a musical way have always been a common feature in entertainment music. Many orchestras considered them welcome additions to their repertoirelist: it allowed the musicians a little time to relax while the audience could focus their attention on matters other than music (however competently performed).In Snowhooderella several fairy tales are mixed up and this may explain the title: SNOWwhite, Little Red Riding HOOD, CindERELLA. The relationship between fairytale, cocktail and the Grimm brothers needs no further explanation. As you may see now, the title is not just nonsense; it has a certain meaning.
Estimated dispatch 10-14 working days
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£35.00
Elegie - Peter Meechan
The opening unaccompanied passage of this work was originally written as a short memorial piece for saxophone, but was later adapted as the basis of this more developed work for solo euphonium or trombone.The work uses a variation structure, with both the soloist and the accompaniment changing throughout the piece; the harmony, rhythm and melodic lines leading somewhere new and different each time they are heard - similar to the way our memories of a person often wander in different directions, but are still always focused on that person.
Estimated dispatch 12-14 working days
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