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£109.99Suite Celebration - Bruce Fraser
Bruce Fraser composed this test piece for the 'Gouden Spiker Festival' 2003 (The Netherlands). Suite Celebration was inspired by events in his recent family life. The first movement celebrates the marriage of his daughter and reflects her bubbly personality and vitality. The melodies and harmonies of the whole work are based on a note row which came up during a discussion with the publisher. The second movement celebrates the birth of his grand-daughter 'Rebecca Aileen' and takes the form of a ballad featuring expressive opportunities for the soloists. The final movement is more of a look into the future and hope of success and a good life for hisfamily. Who knows what is coming?
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99Jamaica - Timothy Travis
Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean. In 1494 it was discovered by Christopher Columbus, who used it as private property until 1509. After some skirmishes it fell under British rule and the sugar trade on the island flourished. After the abolition of slavery in 1834 it was only granted Home Rule in 1944, but it remained a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Whereas the export of cane sugar used to be Jamaica's main export product for many years, nowadays music has taken over this role. At first American music used to be very popular on the island. Later, however, Jamaican musicians started to experiment and thus in the end created their ownmusical style called Reggae. Well-known Reggae musicians are Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The most important instruments used in Reggae are the bass and the drums. Together they form the base for the style: the riddim. A bass drum accent on the second and fourth beat are characteristic of a typically reggae drum beat. To this syncopic patterns are often added. The rhythm guitarist plays chords in a characteristic Reggae rhythm, not on, but between the beats.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£54.99Soldiers Song - Patrick Millstone
As long as we can remember, trumpets and percussion have been the instruments most closely associated with the army and its soldiers. Just think of the medieval herald who publicly proclaimed all the king's important announcements. This work opens with a festive fanfare which immediately calls for your attention. No tidings of disaster, but a festive parade of soldiers passing by while whistling merrily. This idea was the composer's starting point when writing this cheerful little piece.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£53.50Step Aside - David Well
Excuse me, may I play along? Could you step aside, please? 'Step Aside' is a pleasant competition both between two tempi and among the different parts. After a short, slow introduction it is the drummer who, without asking the questions above, sets the high pace. As soon as this rapid movement has been established, 'part 1' takes the lead, but the other parts obviously don't want to miss a thing and follow in rapid succession. At the end of the composition the various parts 'compete' in order to be able to play solo for a while, but soon others join in again, asking 'Excuse me, may I play along?'
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£53.50Strong Coffee - Ron Gilmore
It is true that tastes differ. Coffee has known a long history : it has been drunk since the 17th century. On one hand people drink coffee for relaxation, on the other hand it is drunk to ward off tiredness or sleepiness. 'Strong Coffee' composed by Ron Gilmore works both ways. There will be people who will be able to relax during 'Strong Coffee', whereas others will experience it as a real boost. Is it a bit too strong after all, such a funky Soul Beat? Then adding a little milk might help. As said before, tastes differ!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£119.99Trimbeka - Carl Wittrock
Trimbeka is a composition which owes its existence to the anniversary of music society "de Vlecke" in Gorredijk. The name Gorredijk originates from "goor" or "gor", which means : bog. Along the marshy peat ran a "dijk" (the Dutch word for dike), called the Gordijk. The name of the village resembles that of the home town of the composer himself, who comes from a town in Twente called Goor. Three streams used to run through the area around Gorredijk. the historical name Trimbeets (Trimbeka), meaning three brooks, recalls this to mind. Gorredijk was a flourishing "Vlecke", i.e. large village, which was situated on an intersection of important connecting roads.The liveliness which this entailed is one of the distinctive elements in Trimbeka. Furthermore, ominous sounds possibly refer to the dangers of the bog, while the resonance of the merriment during the annual fair can also be heard. The slow middle movement is an ode to the beautiful landscape surrounding the village.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£104.99A View at the Zoo - Carl Wittrock
Everybody is familiar with the zoo. Remember all those animals? Big ones, small ones. Water dwellers, air-bound birds, long legged hoppers, creeping bugs. All animals seem to have their own peculiarities. Now, Carl Wittrock (who also composed the world-famous master piece 'Lord Tullamore') invites you to join him in a musical exploration of the animal kingdom. An invitation you must not reject! In his 'A view at the Zoo', Wittrock presents ten distinctly different animals as compositions of music. You may be familiar with some of those animals, such as the white swan or the butterfly, but there are also more exotic breeds, like the lion, the monkey, or theelephant. The composition as a whole is built around a structure of shorter fragments reminiscent of 'The Paintings Exhibition' by Moussorgsky. The parts are decorated with recognizable illustrations of the different animals. At each composition, Wittrock looks for something that can fascinate both musicians and listeners. In this he succeeded extremely well.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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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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£99.50
Dancing Trolls [Norwegian Dance] - Øystein Olsen Vadsten
"Dancing Trolls" is a sequel to "The Battle of the Hats", which was published in 2015. Like "The Battle of the Hats", "Dancing Trolls" is a piece of music based on Norwegian traditional dances. This time around,its the reinlender dance which takescentre stage.The music is composed by Oystein Olsen Vadsten who keeps the strong melodic and tempo, which is dear to this kind of dance. Admittedly given a make-over with a more rhythmic accompaniment and more exciting harmonization.Thismakes it a fun piece, both to Listen to and play. The reinlender dance derives from the Rhineland in Germany,and is also known as the German Polka.To the conductor:Because this is a dance form whichis dependent on the right "swing",it is of great importance to keep as close to the metronome mark as possible. A steady groove, primarily specified by the drum set, is also essential for a good result. Remember to keep a good balance between the melody carrying instruments and theaccompaniment. Good luck and have fun with this "crazy" little tune.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£99.50I Byen Samarkand - Nordstoga
Odd Nordstoga is an award winning Norwegian artist who has been active since the 1990's, working in the popular-/folk music genre. I have listened to a lot of Odd Nordstogas music, in particular the Heim te mor-album. When preparing for Askoy Brass Band's participation at Siddis Brass in 2008, I came across I byen Samarkand, another of Nordstogas tunes. This was from the Pilegrim album. I thought it had an exciting mix of expressions and included it in the band's repertoire for the Siddis Brass competiton. Pilegrim was initially a commision by the Bergen International Festival back in 2005, based on lyrics by author Ragnar Hovland and Odd Nordstoga's music. -Svein H. Giske -
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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