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£55.00Ancient Airs and Dances - Ottorino Respighi arr. Phillip Littlemore
Ancient Airs and Dances is a set of three orchestral suites written in 1917, 1924 and 1932 respectively. In each, Respighi borrows melodic material from the 16th and 17th centuries, and then applies his own distinct voice to create something at once new and old. This arrangement takes four separate movements from two of the three sets. Balletto detto "Il Conte Orlando" by Simone Molinaro, was a popular piece from the beginning of the 17th century. Its noble rhythmic gestures in the opening and closing sections are answered by a more reflective mood in the middle. Gagliarda, by Vincenzo Galilei (father of the famous astronomer) was originally called Polymnia, after one of the muses of song. Arie di Corte (Courtly Airs), is based on a set of songs by Jean-Baptiste Besard, where sprightlier dances are enveloped by a stately dance. The finale is a clever alternation of two anonymous dances of the late 16th century. There are several variations on a passa-mezzo with interjections of a mascherada. The suite arrives at a brilliant finish with the mascherada's fanfare theme.A recording of this work can be found here: Ancient Airs and Dances.Duration: c. 9'30"Grade: 4th Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£55.00First Suite in E flat - Gustav Holst arr. Phillip Littlemore
Although completed in 1909, Gustav Holst's First Suite in E flat received its official premiere 11 years later at the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall, on 23rd June 1920. There are three movements in the suite: Chaconne, Intermezzo and March. Holst himself said "As each movement is founded on the same phrase, the suite be played right through without a break." The Chaconne begins with a ground bass, repeated throughout the ensemble sixteen times as varying instrumental textures and variations of the theme are layered within it. The Intermezzo is light and brisk and features many soloistic passages. The March consists of two themes, the opening is a light march contrasted with a longer, more lyrical second theme. The movement concludes with both themes superimposed on one an another.This brass band arrangement includes the section omitted from the first movement of the Sydney Herbert transcription. Duration: 10'Difficulty: 2nd Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£30.00Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies - Pyotr Tchaikovsky arr. Phillip Littlemore
Dance of the he Sugar Plum Fairy needs no introduction as it is one of the most recognisable pieces of music. Tchaikovsky began writing his ballet The Nutcracker in 1891. It received its premiere in St. Petersburg, the following year. The Sugar Plum Fairy is the ruler of the Land of Sweets although she only dances in Act 2 of the work.This arrangement, retitled The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies, has the slightest of twists in that it features the four members of the bass section. There is no need for the players to dress as ballet dancers, but it does add to the spectacle!Duration: 3'00"Difficulty: 3rd Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£30.00Skin Deep - Louis Bellson arr. Phillip Littlemore
Louie Bellson was an American jazz drummer, composer, arranger, bandleader, and jazz educator. He was credited with pioneering the use of two bass drums and worked with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and Duke Ellington. Skin Deep was the title track of his 1954 solo album, and is a great swing number. There are several drum solo passages, with the last one being as long as the drummer likes, although band directors might want to consider curtailing the more exuberant kit players!Duration: 4'00"Difficulty: 2nd Section and above (band accompaniment)
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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Off Duty - John Dankworth - Len Jenkins
The late John Dankworth (1927-2010) made a string of recordings in the 1960s that have since come to be regarded as some of the finest British jazz of their time. Amongst these is his composition 'Off Duty' which was recorded in the 1960s when the influence of pop and rock on jazz was at its height and instruments such as the bass guitar were beginning to be incorporated into jazz's vocabulary. At this time and almost subconsciously, a Dankworth 'pop' style also evolved. This was a balanced marriage between jazz and pop which is here demonstrated in 'Off Duty' thanks to the ingenious and original orchestration by John Dankworth, and the faithful arrangement for Brass Band by one of his fans, Len Jenkins. The title is interesting as John loved to play with words. 'Off Duty' could mean relaxing away from work, but could also carry the implication of something not attracting taxation.... a sort of 'duty-free'. About the same time, the Dave Brubeck Quartet produced the seminal 'Take Five'... so could this be John's take on that title, suggesting a short break? Which meaning fits best for you? The piece would best suit the capabilities of a brass band playing at the standard of Third Section or above.
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£109.99The Last Journey - Bert Appermont
This emotive work is based on the story of a young trombone player who died of cancer. It is an emotional rollercoaster expressing, by turn, the joy of life, fate, farewell, sadness, and yet again, joy. Every one of us will recognize something in this intensely human music. The Last Journey mirrors the grieving process, but above all it expresses the beauty of life.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£109.99Nordic Moods - Tom Brevik
The composer:1st movement: Reflections by the Fjord.Overlooking one of the mighty fjords of Norway, my mind and thoughts are with an old religious Norwegian folk-tune, with words by the famous parson Peter Dass.The majestic fanfare-likeopening reflects the power of God our Father, the choral itself heard for the first time on flugelhorn. The choral is repeated a few times, separated only by some short variations. The movement ends in thriumph, with fanfares and the choral broughttogether.2nd movement: Reflections in the Old Church.In this movement my associations of a summer day, finding myself alone in an old deserted stone church. From the old walls I hear folk songs, perhaps like the ones sung in the church bypoor fishermen and farmers in days gone by. Suddenly the light from the sun breakes through the small circular window above the altar, and a lovely melody is heard, before the original figures take us to the end of the movement.3rd movement:Festive Reflections.Any festive occasion can be reflected in this movement. from the bonfire at midsummer-night to the children celebrating the return of the sun in the northern part of Norway. from the traditional sleigh-riding at Christmas tothe Celebrations of the National Day on the 17th of May each year.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99Circus Delight - Dagmar Kildevann
'Circus Delight' is a five-part suite which is set, how could it be otherwise, in a big circus tent. The suite starts with a part called 'Entrance'. The orchestra, positioned above the entrance of the ring asks for the attention of the audience and then the ring announcer enters. The show can begin! The elephants play a central role in the first act. These colossal grey animals are rather slow and perform their tricks in a moderate tempo. ('Elephant Blues') How different are 'The Acrobats'. At high speed they run, jump and fly through the ring, until ....... It gets very exciting. Fortunately, all's well that ends well and they take their leave of the audienceat a trot. Everyone knows, and yet it is mostly not spoken about, that when a clown has taken off his red nose and rubbed off his make-up, his face off-stage is not always a happy one. ('Tears of the Clown') The piece ends on a cheerful note with 'The Parade', in which all the artists make their entrance in the ring once again to gratefully acknowledge the audience's overwhelming applause.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£74.99Willow Pattern - Philip Harper
Composed in 2009 for Nicholas Childs and the Black Dyke BandThis piece tells the Willow Pattern legend through music. Several leitmotifs are used both for the different characters and also for some of the important emotions in the tale. Additionally, Knoon-se's part is mainly played by the flugel horn, Changby the euphonium, the Mandarin by the Eb Bass and the Duke Ta-jin by the trombone. The Willow Pattern LegendOnce, in ancient China, there lived a wealthy and powerful Mandarin who had a beautiful daughter, Knoon-se. She had fallen in love with Chang, a humble accountant, which angered her father who imprisoned her in the Pavilion by the river with only theexotic birds for company. She learnt that the Mandarin planned to marry her to the pompous Duke Ta-jin and that the wedding would take place on the day the blossom fell from the willow tree, so she sent Chang a message: "Gather thy blossom, ere it bestolen". The Duke arrived by sea amid great fanfare when the tree was heavy with bud, and nights of magnificent banquets followed. After one such occasion when the Mandarin slept, Chang crept over the crooked fence and tiptoed into the Pavilion to rescueKnoon-se, but as they escaped the alarm was raised. They fled over the bridge with the Mandarin close on their heels brandishing his whip.They managed to escape by boat to a secluded island where they lived happily for a time. Meanwhile, the Mandarin learned of their refuge and, intent on revenge, he ordered his soldiers to kill them. As Knoon-se and Chang slept at night, the men setfire to the pagoda in which they lived and the lovers perished in the flames. However, the Gods, moved by the lovers' plight, transformed their souls into two turtle-doves which rose from the charred remains, soaring above the Earth, symbolising eternal happiness. Willow Pattern is dedicated to the memory of Jean Harper who passed away as I was completing the piece and who was a great collector of porcelain and china-ware. NOTES ON PERFORMANCEMute Requirements:Metal mutes soprano cornet, repiano cornet, 2nd cornets, 3rd cornets (6 in total) Cup mutes all cornets and trombones (10 + 3) Harmon mutes soprano cornet, solo cornets, repiano cornet (6) Percussion Requirements:There are two parts for percussion on the score. The minimum requirements are as follows: 2 players - Timpani, 2 Large tom toms, 2 Wood Blocks, Triangle, Sleigh Bells, Whip, Clash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Hi-hat, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Tam tam (or susp. cym.) For performances with extra resources, and to achieve closer authenticity, the full requirements are as follows: 3 players - Timpani, 3 Taiko Drums played with thick wooden sticks (or Large tom toms), 2 Wood Blocks, Triangle, Chinese Bells (or Sleigh Bells), Whip, Clash Cymbals, Chinese Cymbals (small clash cymbals approx 12"), Suspended Cymbal, Glockenspiel,Xylophone, Tam tam
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£53.50Circus Bamboni - John Blanken
COME ONE AND ALL! Come see the great Circus Bamboni! This four movement work, with flexible four-part instrumentation (+ drum set), will amaze and charm you like no other. The fi rst movement features the band as it tunes up and prepares for the show. Then the talented trapeze artists make an appearance as they fly through the sky high above the audience. The elephants parade around the ring with their very own Elephant Samba and the clowns follow leaving you in stitches! A thunderous chord and lots of applause bring the show to a breathtaking finale.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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