Results
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£35.00Symphonic Dance No.3 - Sergei Rachmaninov arr. Phillip Littlemore
Completed in 1940, the set of Symphonic Dances was Sergei Rachmaninov's last composition. The work is fully representative of the composer's late style with its curious, shifting harmonies, the almost Prokofiev-like outer movements and the focus on individual instrumental tone colours throughout. Rachmaninov composed the Symphonic Dances four years after his Third Symphony, mostly at the Honeyman Estate, 'Orchard Point', in Centerport, New York, overlooking Long Island Sound. The three-movement work's original name was Fantastic Dances, with movement titles of 'Noon', 'Twilight' and 'Midnight'. When the composer wrote to the conductor Eugene Ormandy in late August, he said that the piece was finished and needed only to be orchestrated, but the manuscript for the full score actually bears completion dates of September and October 1940. It was premiered by Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, to whom it is dedicated, on 3rd January, 1941.This arrangement is of the last dance and is a kind of struggle between the Dies Irae theme, representing Death, and a quotation from Rachmaninov's own Vespers (also known as the All-night Vigil, 1915), representing Resurrection. The Resurrection theme proves victorious in the end as the composer actually wrote the word 'Hallelujah' at the relevant place the score (one bar after Fig. 16 in this arrangement). Duration: 3'45"Diffiuclty: 2nd Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£35.00William Tell Overture - Finale
The overture to Rossini's opera William Tell is a fairly large scale work in four sections and lasting some twelve minutes. However, it is the Finale of the overture which is one of the most iconic pieces of music. This March of the Swiss Soldiers is a dynamic cavalry charge and galop often used in popular media to denote galloping horses, a race, or a hero riding to the rescue. Its most famous use in that respect is as the theme music for the radio and TV show The Lone Ranger! It was also used to great comic effect by Spike Jones and his City Slickers and it also finds it's way into the first movement of Shostakovich's 15th Symphony.Duration: c.3'20"Difficulty: 2md Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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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.