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£80.00St. Magnus - Kenneth Downie
Dedicated to Alastair Massey, an inspirational music teacher. Commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association for the 2004 European Brass Band Championships in Glasgow. This music is a set of variations on the tune known as St Magnus, which is attributed to Jeremiah Clarke. Most people will associate it with Thomas Kelly's hymn which begins: "The Head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now". The tune is very simple, consisting of just two, four-bar phrases. Neither is there much in the way of rhythmic variety, every note being a crotchet with the exception of two quavers, and the last note in each phrase. Within such a simple structure, however, lies considerable strength. THEME The listener is given the opportunity of hearing it twice, in full, at the beginning, starting with one player but soon taken up by the full ensemble. It returns in the middle of the music and is stated again near the end. This has been done quite deliberately in the hope that there will be an appreciation of what material is being developed, by the listener as well as by those with access to the score, who are able to see the visual connections. VARIATION 1 This takes the rhythm of the last part of the theme and also uses the shape of the opening as a recurring figure. The mood is whimsical and skittish, with short, teasing rhythmic figures tossed around the band, and quick interplay with percussion, at a fast tempo. An energetic flourish finishes this variation before the Andante espress. VARIATION 2 This commences with chords related to the opening of Variation 1. The cantabile on solo comets establishes a new, lyrical mood and there is scope for expressive playing in a series of short solo passages. The theme works its way unobtrusively into the texture before a reprise of the solo cornet melody and some more lyrical interchanges between Eb bass, euphonium, flugel horn and comets. The variation ends serenely with clear references to the last phrase of the theme. VARIATION 3 The first idea to dominate is clearly linked to the shape of the theme's first phrase. There is a frenetic feel to much of this variation, with considerable energy and instability created by extensive use of cross-rhythms. A thinning-out of the score marks a clear change to development of the start of the second phrase of the theme. This proves to be short-lived however, and the opening material returns leading to a restatement of the theme, "Maestoso," after which a euphonium cadenza links to Variation 4. VARIATION 4 Here we have some solos for euphonium, cornet, trombone and Eb bass set against a background of horns and baritones presenting a pensive statement of the theme's opening. VARIATION 5 This commences Allegro, with lively work for cornet and euphonium spreading to the whole band before attention focuses on the beginning of the second phrase of the theme which is initially presented in diminution, then in regular rhythm, then in inversion. An increase in tempo coupled with a decrease in volume, requires dexterity and control, with several metrical challenges thrown in for good measure. The same fragment of phrase becomes an ostinato which generates a frenzied climax, punctuated by short, dramatic silence, before the opening figure returns and the music gradually winds down. The tubular bells herald the final return of the theme, in augmentation, marking the start of the Finale. FINALE This features the running semiquavers of the previous variation sounding in counterpoint. A fast, furious coda speeds the work to a conclusion while references to the opening of the theme are still trying to break into the texture of the music. Kenneth Downie
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£94.99
The Devil's Bridge - Bertrand Moren
The "Teufelsbrucke" (devil's bridge) is a very old bridge connecting the Goschenen and Andermatt valleys in the canton of Uri, central Switzerland. Legend has it that in the 13th century the people of Uri made a pact with the devil to build a bridge across the canyon. When the people only delivered a goat in payment of the soul demanded by the devil he was angry and decided to knock down the bridge. An old woman painted the sign of a cross on the rock the devil was intending to destroy the bridge with and the devil, unable to lift it, disappeared forever. The rock remains to this day at the northern entry of the Gotthard tunnel.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£72.99Valley of the Pinios - Kevin Houben
Lying on high, calcareous sandstone rocks are the monumental monasteries of Meteora, a region in northcentral Greece which look down over the valley of the Pinios River. This region inspired Kevin Houben to compose Valley of the Pinios. You can almost hear the wind swirl around the chalk rocks. The sacred atmosphere of the monasteries, the prayers, the solitude, the grandness of the valley and the splendour of nature are all reflected in this inspirational composition.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£59.99The Gael from Last of the Mohicans - Trevor Jones - Andrew Duncan
Who can forget the epic 1992 movie, The Last of the Mohicans, starring Daniel Day Lewis. The soundtrack was written by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman with both men on record as saying this soundtrack is one of their greatest pieces of work to date. This scintillating and powerful arrangement of the main theme, The Gael, is one not to be missed and is guaranteed to 'bring the house down' at every performance. A work that no band would want to be without!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£60.99An Australian Christmas - James Curnow
How do you fancy spending Christmas down under on the beach in the searing heat? You can now escape from the cold with this suite of Australian Christmas carols. Includes Carol of The Birds, The Silver Stars in the Sky, Christmas Day and The Three Drovers.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£60.99Trumpets of Jericho - Enrique Crespo - Klaas van der Woude
This programmatic piece tells the biblical story of the fall of Jericho. The music paints a vivid picture of the procession of armed men and seven priests marching around the city for seven days, before blowing their trumpets and to the cheers of the crowds watching as the walls came tumbling down. A dazzling opening work for any concert.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99Footprints - Jerry B. Bensman
Bring the house down with Jerry Bensman's sparkling Footprints. Everyone is, or at least feels, important in this simple but very effective march which works equally well on stage as on parade. Often a march does not have to be difficult to possess a thorougly pleasing 'full' sound. In understanding this, Jerry Bensman added a valuable repertoire-piece to the music available for youth-bands. In performing Footprints your beginning bandsmen take a major step forward in advancing their budding musical careers. Tip: Put the spotlights on your cymbals-player and make him (or her) the star of the evening.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£69.99Auld Lang Syne - Menno Haantjes
Whereas 'Auld Lang Syne' may be considered the best-known Scottish song ever, yet at the same time it is an obscure one, for there are but few people who know the complete text by heart. After the familiar 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot .....' many people take their refuge to lyrics like 'rum tee dum ta dee ..... lah, lah, lah ........... for auld lang syne'. Even in Scotland only a handful of persons know the entire text and are able to give a correct rendering of it. The current lyrics have been attributed to the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Burns, however, he did not write the whole poem : after he had heard an old man sing the centuries-old Scotchballad, he wrote it down and added a number of stanzas (1788). Historical research teaches us that the ballad served many purposes, both political and religious. Nowadays, 'Auld Lang Syne' is sung as a Christmas Carol and it is also sung on New Year's Eve at the turning of the year. Apart from that, though, the song is also sung on many other occasions sometimes with different lyrics, which usually have Love, Friendship and/or Parting as their themes, as these go well with the fascinating melody. In this arrangement a low-sounding solo instrument is central. The harmonization in the accompaniment fits in perfectly with the sentiments this song will evoke. Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind? Should auld acquintance be forgot. And days of auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£79.99Summon the Heroes - John Williams
John Williams has written ceremonial music for many major events and ceremonies but of all these occasional pieces Summon the Heroes is the most elaborate and musically complex. It was composed for the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 and performed at the opening ceremony. As with all of John Williams' ceremonial compositions this work makes an ideal Brass Band work that will bring the house down as a concert opener.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£70.00Masque. - Kenneth Hesketh
A Masque (short for Masquerade) has been defined by Historians as 'A revel in which Mummers or masked folk come with torches blazing into the festive hall and call upon the company to dance and dice'. The chaos of this dramaticdance is depicted in this 'Masque' by Hesketh. The main theme is bravura and is often present, in the background. The form of the piece is a simple scherzo-trio-scherzo. Colourful scoring (upper wind solos, trumpet and horn solosalternating with full bodied tuttis) with a dash of wildness may tease both player and listener to let their hair down a little! 'Masque' has been transcribed for wind band by Kenneth Hesketh from his 'Scherzo forOrchestra',commissioned by the National Children's Orchestra in 1987.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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