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£68.99The Green Hills of Tyrol - Philip Sparke
The Green Hills of Tyrol was commissioned by Jrena and Beat Knusel for their son, Swiss euphonium player Joel Knusel, to celebrate his 20th birthday in 2019. The request was for a piece suitable for use in a solo competition, possibly using a Scottish or Irish melody, and composer Philip Sparke suggested an 'old-fashioned' air varie might be a suitable idea. The piece follows the well-established formula of a theme followed by four variations. The history of the original melody is fascinating and, although it is now well-known as a bagpipe tune, its background is Austrian or Italian, rather than Scottish. The tune appears as a chorus of Swiss soldiers in Rossini's 1829 opera William Tell but was possibly an existing Tyrolean folk tune. In 1854, during the Crimean War, Pipe Major John MacLeod of the 93rd Highlanders heard a band of the Sardinian contingent playing selections from the opera in camp before the Siege of Sebastopol. He was struck by the melody and arranged it for his pipers, calling it The Green Hills of Tyrol, referring to Tell's visit to that corner of Austria in the opera. It has since become universally popular among pipe bands who usually refer to it as A Scottish Soldier, following the addition of new lyrics in a 1961 hit by Andy Stewart.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£53.50Fanfare for an Occasion - Philip Sparke
Fanfare for an Occasion was written to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of Anglo Music Press, the publishing company dedicated to the works of British composer, Philip Sparke. It is a bright and festive work in which the main theme starts on the tenor instruments of the band before appearing as canonical imitation by all sections in turn. A short, repeated bridge passage leads to a second theme on the horns that is taken up by the full band and leads back to a return of the main theme and a repeat of the second subject, which brings the fanfare to a brilliant close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£91.99Pulcinella - Philip Sparke
Pulcinella was commissioned by the Taiwanese euphonium player Tzu-Hsiang Lin. Lin is a renowned soloist and teacher and a Besson Euphonium Artist. He teaches euphonium at Taipei National University of the Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts, Shih Chien University and National Kaohsiung Normal University. Lin gave the premiere of Pulcinella in both its concert band and brass band versions in January 2021. Pulcinella continues Sparke's series of euphonium solos named after characters of the Italian commedia dell'arte and opens with a long and expressive minor melody for the soloist over a brooding accompaniment. This is taken up briefly by the full band and is extended by the soloist after a change of key. A cadenza, accompanied by fragments of the main melody leads to a complete change of mood, tempo and tonality, introducing a Vivo section starting with a perky syncopated tune for the soloist. The band then uses elements of this new tune to introduce a change of key, where the soloist introduces a more lyrical second subject over a pulsing accompaniment. The band then takes this up and changes key to reintroduce the original Vivo melody, which leads to a short and acrobatic coda to bring the work to a spectacular close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£87.99Sunday in the Park - Philip Sparke
Sunday in the Park was written for tenor horn virtuoso Sheona White, and commissioned by her partner, Matt Wade, as a Christmas present.Composer Philip Sparke had known and admired Sheona's playing for many years, having produced her first solo CD and written pieces for her previously.Both composer and performer are huge fans of the late Karen Carpenter, Sheona in part modelling her sound on the singer's sultry voice; so it was decided that this new solo would be a piece which, whilst not being a 'Carpenters' pastiche, paid tribute to their relaxed style and rich harmonic language. Sunday in the Park openswith an accompanied cadenza for the soloist, which leads to a gentle rhythmic melody with a laid-back feel. This is taken up by the band but the soloist sparks a change of mood by introducing a faster light rock interlude. This reaches a climax, at which point the music unwinds until the original mood returns.A variation on the original melody leads to a short cadenza from the soloist, which brings the work to a peaceful close.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£57.50Ballad for Benny - Philip Sparke
The birth of Philip Sparke's second son, Benjamin, was the inspiration for composing Ballad for Benny. A short calm introduction leads to the main ballad theme, a gentle waltz melody. Following the work's climax in which the complete band plays the main theme the sound fades and the piece ends in calm and serenity.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£57.50Processional - Philip Sparke
Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece but has been designed specifically for occasions such as weddings or graduation ceremonies, where it?s duration can be altered according to your needs.A must for any ceremonial occasion.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£57.50Royal Salute - Philip Sparke
This march from Philip Sparke is in the tradition of the English ceremonial or concert march, such as the masterpieces written by Sir Edward Elgar and Sir William Walton. It attempts to continue this tradition with a march for intermediate band that has all the recognisable hallmarks such as broad melodies, counter melodies and a nobilmente trio.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£87.99Second to None - Philip Sparke
Second to None is a perfectly suitable title for this work, though it actually refers to "Nulli Secundus", the motto of the British Corps of Army Music, who gave the commission to Philip Sparke. The piece opens with a fanfare, followed by two short quotes from two of the Corp's own marches and a festive Vivace. A more legato central section creates a nice contrast before the work closes with the opening fanfare. A perfect affair!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£76.99Valerius Variations - Philip Sparke
Dutch composer, artist and poet Adriaen Valerius is mostly remembered today for his collection of 79 songs for voice and lute or cittern, published posthumously in 1626. Philip Sparke has taken one melody from this collection that tells of the War of Independence with Spain. The beautiful slow melody is followed by a series of lively variations to form an extremely entertaining piece that will bring great joy to all who perform and listen to it.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£134.99Tuba Concerto - Philip Sparke
When writing his tuba concerto, Philip Sparke wanted to create a work which explored the many aspects of the instrument's technical and vocal qualities but without resorting to caricature. The result is a concerto in two joined movements, which can both be programmed individually, that contains both many lyrical lines together with stunning virtuosic passages. An outstanding concerto that tuba players and brass band audiences alike will enjoy and applaud.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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