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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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£30.00Neruda - Johann Baptist Georg Neruda
Johann Baptist Georg Neruda was an 18th century Czech violinist and composer. Classical trumpet players include his Concerto in Eb for Trumpet & Strings as one of their favourite solos, which is often performed on an Eb Soprano Trumpet. My son Jon, a fine trumpet and cornet player, has played it often. Soprano Cornet player Simon Morgan asked me if it could be done with a brass band. I have taken the lively 1st movement, and adapted it as a soprano cornet solo. Ideal as a concert item, part of a CD, or part of an entertainment programme."Tim, many thanks for this, a great arrangement and a great solo". Simon Morgan
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£34.95Elixir of Youth - Christopher Bond
Elixir of Youth (2013) was written for the 2013 Brass for Heroes charity event where it was premiered on 19th October 2013 at St Paul's Hall in Huddersfield under the baton of Philip Harper. The title of the work reflects the nature of the band that was put together for that premiere performance; an all-star youth band comprising a selection of the country's young brass banding talent, with the term Elixir referring here to the everlasting talent seen in young brass players throughout the United Kingdom's brass bands and bands' and teachers abilities to keep producing such high quality musicians for the banding movement.The work, structured in three sections, is a showcase for band with a heroic opening where fanfare-like gestures in the cornets and trombones juxtapose rapid euphonium and baritone runs, alongside sweeping horns and percussion effects. As the piece progresses, a grove is introduced - just in the tubas at first, accompanied by a hi-hat - before spreading through the band, definitely stuff to tap your toes to! The middle, slower section of the work sees both flugel and cornet solos, with additional inputs from the euphonium and solo horn before a climax and return to the tempo and music of the opening section. A rousing close concludes the work where all of the work's themes are interweaved to create a sense of power, unity and grandeur; an Elixir of Youth.
Estimated dispatch 5-10 working days
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£35.00
The Witch of the Westmerlands - Harper, P
Arranged for the Leyland Band's 2010 Brass in Concert programme. This is a sumptuous, lyrical setting of Scottish folk singer-songwriter Archie Fischer's originally up-beat song, with solos for baritone and cornet. The words tell the story of an ancient knight wounded in battle and dying on the battlefield who is healed by a mysterious old lady appearing from across the moors and swiftly vanishing again.The original version was sung by, amongst others, Barbara Dickson who has said she is a big fan of Philip's sensitive arrangement.Listen to Cory BandCourtesy of World of Brass
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£34.95Agrabah Sunrise - Jonathan Bates
DIFFICULTY: 1st+. DURATION: 4'00". 'Agrabah Sunrise' was composed for the Foden's Band's Aladdin themed programme at the 2023 Brass in Concert Championships, held at The Glasshouse, Gateshead. The music uses a traditional Western Asian Raga called 'Bhairav' - traditionally practised in the early hours of the morning - as it's base and features extensive technical solos for Soprano, Cornet, Tenor Horn and Euphonium.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£40.00
La Fiesta - Corea, C - Harper, P
Chick Corea is an American pianist and composer of Sicilian and Spanish descent, whose long career in jazz music continues to this day. A member of Miles Davis's band in the 1960s, he formed his own band Return to Forever in the 1970s before establishing himself as one of the greats of modern jazz.La Fiesta was composed in 1972 and included on Return to Forever's debut album. The music is in one-in-a-bar waltz time and switches between Latin carnival-style and jazz waltz, with stand-up solos for cornet, baritone and tenor horn. This arrangement was performed as part of the Cory Band's winning Brass in Concert programme in 2012.Listen to Cory BandCourtesy of World of Brass
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£45.00
Salsation - Shire, D - Harper, P
This song was composed for the 1977 John Travolta film Saturday Night Fever, and the 70s disco vibe is never far from the surface of the music. In combination with the scat style of Latin singer Tania Maria, this arrangement features virtuosic solos for tenor horn, trombone and soprano cornet, with all the B cornets kept thoroughly busy throughout!This piece is on the CD Cory in Concert Volume V.Championship SectionDuration 4 minsListen to Cory BandCourtesy of World of Brass
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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£45.00
Caribe - Camilo, M - Harper, P
An absolute showstopper in Latin style, this features solos for horn, baritone and cornet, amongst others. Simplified lines are also offered, but the full effect can be heard on Cory Band's CD Summon the HeroesChampionship sectionDuration 3 mins 30 secsListen to Cory Band on 'Summon the Heroes'Courtesy of World of Brass
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 1-3 working days
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