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£84.99Christmas Brass - Richard Peaslee
Christmas Brass is a fantasy on six carols, originally commissioned by Mark Freeh for the Manhattan Brass Choir. Duration: 16:30The well-known tune, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, a hymn originally based on a plainsong melody, is here set in 5/4 meter. Modal harmonies are combined with big band style as the piece gains momentum, greatly accentuating the mood of the words, "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel." The opening 5/4 statement of the theme returns, and the piece ends quietly.In Beautiful Savior (also known by the title Fairest Lord Jesus), a hushed beginning featuring horns, euphoniums, and a muted trumpet, leads through a key change to a satisfying, chorale-likeclosing passage.In Away in a Manger, Peaslee sets two tunes, Cradle Song and Away in a Manger. Following a straightforward presentation of each melody, Peaslee plays them against one another. The music swells to a full climax followed by a hushed ending.Peaslee employs a gentle hand in It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, using flugelhorn solos and duets in a jazz-waltz style.In Silent Night, the traditional carol gets an untraditional harmonization, propelled forward by give-and-take between the two groups of brass instruments in the brass choir: trumpets and trombones versus horns, euphoniums, and tuba.Hark! The Herald Angels Sing begins with a humorous blast of discordant harmonies as multiple carols are sounded at the same time. An up-tempo 4/4 announcement of the melody in the trombone is followed by a metrical modulation in 6/8-3/4 time. An additional metrical modulation bring the music back into 4/4, but at a slower tempo and in a pronounced jazz style. Tempo I returns, and the set of six pieces closes with a big ending.Instrumentation: 4 Trumpets, 2 Horns in F, 4 Trombones, 2 Euphoniums, Tuba, Guitar, Bass, Percussion
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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£24.95The M-lisada March - Jim Trott
All proceeds from "The M-lisada March" are donated to Brass for Africa, a charity making a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Africa through brass music and brass music education. The composer, Jim Trott, is the founder of a charity called Brass for Africa and one of the organizations the charity supports and works with is the MLISADA organization located in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. MLISADA is a home for ex-street kids, orphans and vulnerable children and at the heart of the home is music and dance. MLISADA have a junior and senior brass band and the bands earn income to feed the home by playing at functions and marches. Jim has often been with the band as they work up anthems and themes for their various engagements and he thought it would be great for MLISADA to have their own theme. So, he has written this short March for these inspiring young people and is delighted that they love to play it whenever they can.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£89.99Cry of the Falcon - Kevin Houben
The Cry of the Falcon refers to the Germanic Goddess Freya, who had a cloak of feathers that gave her the ability to change into a falcon. As a falcon Freya could make her way among people. Weeping and screaming, she searched for her lost husband Odur. Power and justice are the main ideas portrayed by Kevin Houben in this lyrical concert work.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£106.99Evolution - Philip Sparke
Evolution was commissioned by Kunstfactor for the 4th section of the Dutch National Brass Band Championships (NBK) 2011. It is dedicated to Jappie Dijkstra and the Music Information Centre (MUI), Arnhem, Holland, in acknowledgement of their outstanding work in developing brass band repertoire. The composer writes:-The idea for the piece came when I was reading an article about a branch of Chinese philosophy which is abbreviated as Wu Xing, which has no exact translation but can mean, for example, five elements, five phases or five states of change. It is central to all elements of Chinese thought, including science, philosophy, medicine and astrology, and in simpleterms tries to create various cyclic relationships between five elements in all walks of life. An example is: Earth - Metal - Water - Wood - Fire - (Earth) etc. where (in one cycle) earth bears metal, metal changes to liquid (water) when heated, water helps trees grow, wood burns to create fire, fire produces ash (earth) and the cycle continues.I was particularly interested in the cycle of emotions: Meditation - Sorrow - Fear - Anger - Joy - (Meditation) etc. and thought this cyclic principle would provide an effective emotional journey for a piece of music. So Evolution has five equal sections which loosely characterise this emotional cycle. I have tried to make the music grow organically, with minimal repetition, and each movement evolves from the musical elements at the end of the previous one, with the opening material appearing, transformed, at the end of the piece to complete the cycle.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£91.99A Bandsman's Overture - Philip Sparke
A Bandsman's Overture was commissioned by British Bandsman magazine to celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2012.It was premiered by Black Dyke Band, conducted by Dr Nicholas Childs, at a special anniversary concert held in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on July 1st.British Bandsman was for a period known as British Bandsman and Contest Field, following an amalgamation of two magazines. The then owner, John Henry Iles, celebrated this new title by commissioning Ord Hume to write the famous march, BB & CF. As a salute to this heritage A Bandsman's Overture starts with thefour notes, B(b)-B(b)-C-F, a motive which permeates an opening fanfare, which contrasts a busy opening with a more legato central section.This gives way to a bustling Vivo, based on repeated staccato notes. A change of key heralds a central cantabile melody, first on euphoniums and baritone and then played by the full band, which is followed by a short development section. This leads to a transformed reprise and a return of the opening fanfare, decorated this time by florid muted cornets.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£127.30Mahalageasca - Mahala Rai Banda
Mahalageasca is a piece that make you happy both to listen and perform.It's possible to play the piece as a stage entrance piece. Repeat bars 1 to 8 several times. You might let the Drum set and some Percussion start alone. After basses have played their first eight bars, move on to bar nine.It is also possible to perform is as an ancore where you might change positions for the brass players but use the same pattern with Percussion as above.Here's a suggestion for set-up:Backrow sits in front of the conductor (on horn chairs)Soprano and Solo Cornets standing behind them.Trombones sits at the conductors right (on Euphonium/Baritone-chairs)Basses sitting behind the TrombonesFlugelhorn and horns on the left (sitting on the solo cornet chairs)Euphoniums and Baritones behind the horns.Please do not play too loud on mf. A bit press on the start of the slurs often better the emphasis (some marcatos written as well)Bars 96 to 136 is challenging for mallet percussion. They can be played as solo, or two players might share it in a convenient way.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£69.99Oldies Forever
In the field of popular music the years around the change from the 60's to the 70's saw a wealth of great releases. Many of these hits have been re-released or reworked by artists making them popular today with a new young audience. This new medley presents many hits that would be an attractive concert item in their own right but together they form a musical masterpiece with an almost irresistible appeal on the listener.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£60.99Euphonium Ragtime - AndrĂ© Waignein
Pieces that showcase the euphonium are few and far between. Andr Waignein decided to change this and set out to compose a piece specifically for the euphonium.What makes this composition even more unusual is that he wrote the piece in the style of a ragtime. Euphonium Ragtime provides an exciting and entertaining solo opportunity your audiences will love!
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£59.99Aria - Philip Sparke
Aria was commissioned by and written for the remarkable Tenor Horn player, Sheona White. The work opens with an accompanied recitative, which leads to a change of key where the main melody is presented. This, in turn, serves as an introduction to another melodic idea, marked calmato. The band takes up this theme and then takes centre stage with a passionate repeat of the main theme, which is completed by the soloist. A Cornet then plays the calmato theme against which the soloist plays a counter melody. This leads to a return of the opening recitative which brings the work to a peaceful close. A fantastic new addition to the solo repertoire for this much neglectedsolo instrument.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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