Results
-
£40.00Three Christmas Portraits - Philip Doe
A delightful suite of three Christmas carols expertly adapted by Philip Doe. This suite of three pieces open with Christmas Day, a dainty and light opening that shows the more delicate aspects of brass playing. The centre piece is a new version of The Coventry Carol, which open with a first verse rendition for quartet before developing a more baroque-style treatment that sits over an ostinato bass line. The movement reaches its climax with flourishes from the cornets leading to a rendition of the carol at fortissimo an d treated with slightly altered harmonies before coming to rest with the opening quartet delivering the tierce de Picardie. The final movement is I Saw Three Ships, with handy interjections of several other carols make for a rousing climax to a enjoyable set of three Christmas portraits.Duration: 6'20"Diffiulty: Suitable for all grades
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
-
£30.00Ave Maria - Franz Schubert arr. Phillip Littlemore
Franz Schubert wrote his Ave Maria in 1825. It is the third of three song settings from Sir Walter Scott's poem The Lady of the Lake, itself written in 1810. It's proper title is Ellen's Song, named after the heroine of Scott's poem, Ellen Douglas.It has been suggested that the opening two words of the original song may have led to the idea of it being arranged for the full text of the Roman Catholic Prayer. It is now most often performed in this latter adaptation, thus leading to the misconception that it was originally set with the prayer in mind.Even in Schubert's own brief lifetime, he was only thirty-one when he died, this song was considered a masterpiece. It acquired greater popularity when it was used in the 1940 Walt Disney film Fantasia where its beauty and simplicity offered calm and respite following the tempestuous strains of Mussorgsky's A Night on Bare Mountain .Duration: 3'40"Difficulty: Suitable for all
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
-
Laughter In The Rain - Sedaka & Cody - Len Jenkins
In America, this was Neil Sedaka's comeback single. Whilst he had 11 Top-40 hits from 1960-1963, he could not score a hit after the British Invasion of the 60's. His fortunes were such in America that this song was at first released only in England, where it went to No. 15. However, whilst recording with 10cc in London, Sedaka reconnected with his friend Elton John who offered to put out a Sedaka single in America under his own record label, Rocket Records. Since "Laughter In The Rain" was already a hit in the UK, that was the choice, and anything with Elton John's name on it was sure to get some spins. So, later in 1974, "Laughter" was released on Rocket Records with liner notes and endorsements by Elton, and the song took off, becoming his second million-seller 12 years after his first, which was "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do."
-
Kinderwalzer - Len Jenkins - Len Jenkins
The title originally began as 'kind of a waltz', but the music, in typical bier-keller fast-waltz style, progresses to be more representative of a children's nursery with fun and laughter all the way. That is, until the grotesque element appears and makes you wonder what it was that you glimpsed at the back of the wardrobe? Fortunately, all is resolved before bedtime and jollity returns. Sweet dreams!
-
The Crown of Roses - Tchaikovsky - Len Jenkins
Tchaikovsky wrote this in his 'Songs for Young People' in Moscow in 1883 to words by Pletchtcheev. The story it tells is about Jesus Christ when he was a young child, having a small wild garden in which roses grew. Passing children saw the roses and plucking them mockingly asked if he wove rose garlands in his hair. Christ says to take the roses, but to leave the thorns. Instead, they make a crown of these and forced it onto his head so that it bleeds, symbolic of what was going to happen later in his lifetime. The melody contains all the passion that we associate with Russian church music and is equally suitable for a contemplative Christmas or Passiontide. This arrangement is faithful to the four verses of the original lyrics, but with an optional ending half-way if preferred.
-
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.
-
Postman Pat - Bryan Daly - Len Jenkins
The original music for the phenomenally successful Postman Pat series was composed by Bryan Daly (who sadly died in January 2012) and included not only the well-known theme tune "Postman Pat & His Black and White Cat", but also the tuba solo "Walking in Greendale", both of which are now available, arranged for brass, from Wobbleco Music. The theme tune was originally sung by Ken Barrie and was released as a single in the UK where it reached number 44 in the charts in July 1982. The Postman Pat TV series and the later Postman Pat SDS TV series continue to delight and entertain children not least because of the instantly recognizable theme tune. What is less well known is that Bryan was also one of the most sought-after session-musician guitar players of the 1960's and 1970's, a first-call studio musician for the likes of Burt Bacharach, and his performances grace numerous classic hit recordings that have remained radio staples to this day. This "twin-pack" contains 2 arrangements: one of which follows faithfully the original theme and is generally A4 in size, and another which is a march/fete edition and is slightly easier to play. They are printed back-to-back and by folding the parts in half, the march/fete edition becomes lyre-ready.
-
Anyone Who Had A Heart - Burt Bacharach and Hal David - Len Jenkins
"Anyone Who Had A Heart" is a song written by Burt Bacharach (music) and Hal David (lyrics) originally for Dionne Warwick in 1963. However, in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, the cover version by Cilla Black was, and is still, the best loved. Championed by her friends The Beatles, she began her career as a singer in 1963, and her singles "Anyone Who Had A Heart" and "You're My World" both reached number one in the UK in 1964. From the first line, the song has a certain frisson: "Anyone who ever loved, could look at me, and know that I love you." Sadly, Cilla passed away on 1 August 2015 so this is our tribute to a well-loved lady and singer. Our objective has been to interpret the style of the original performance by Cilla, and whilst the time signatures may not be familiar, experience has shown that these are easier to read and play than the alternative using triplets.
-
A Lazy Afternoon - Len Jenkins - Len Jenkins
'A Lazy Afternoon' brings to mind a lazy hot day in summer, possibly starting with a short drive out to somewhere pleasant for an afternoon's picnic. It is accepted that a drive out is now something many would choose to avoid, especially at busy weekends, but one can perhaps dream of open un-cluttered roads with no rush to get there. As such, this piece is ideal for the local summer fete. It has a gentle style that so befits an English village fete, recalling an era when things did not need to be so immediate and may thereby help to give a perfect respite from the everyday 'rush and tear'. As with many of Wobbleco's pieces, this is aimed at the average town and village band, and is within the reasonable playing capabilities of its members.
-
Saviour's Day - Chris Eaton - Len Jenkins
Chris Eaton wrote "Saviour's Day" in October 1989 and took the original version of the song to a Christmas party to show Cliff Richard, despite having been told that his songs had already been selected for the following year. Nevertheless, they listened to the tape in Cliff's Rolls Royce. He liked it and predicted it could be a 'number one'. The following year it became just that; the second Christmas solo 'number one' for Cliff, following the success of "Mistletoe and Wine" in 1988. Since then it has variously been voted into lists of both the best and the most annoying Christmas songs. A music video of the song was filmed at Durdle Door near Swanage in Dorset, in warm, sunny September weather but with extras wearing winter clothes as if at Christmas. Enjoy!