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£57.95Symphony in Two Movements (Brass Band - Score only) - Gregson, Edward
This work was jointly commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (NYBBGB) and the National Youth Brass Band of Wales (NYBBW), the latter with funding from T Cerdd (Music Centre Wales), to celebrate their 60th and 30th anniversaries respectively. The first performances were given at Cadogan Hall, London, in April 2012, by the NYBBGB, conducted by Bramwell Tovey; and at the Great Hall, Aberystwyth University, in July 2012, by the NYBBW, conducted by Nicholas Childs.When I was approached about a joint commission to write a new work to celebrate the anniversaries of these two outstanding youth bands I was delighted to accept, and decided to respond by writing a work apposite for the magnitude of these special occasions, namely a 'symphony for brass'.Through a long journey of writing music for brass band, which commenced with Connotations (1977), and continued with Dances and Arias (1984), Of Men and Mountains (1991), The Trumpets of the Angels (2000) and Rococo Variations (2008), I arrived at what I regard as the most important work of the cycle to date, combining as it does serious musical intent with considerable technical demands. It is perhaps my most abstract work for brass band, avoiding any programmatic content.The symphony lasts for some 19 minutes and is structured in two linked movements. The form is based on that used by Beethoven in his final piano sonata (Op.111), which is in two movements only: a compact sonata-form allegro, followed by a more expansive theme and four variations. Prokofiev also adopted this model in his 2nd Symphony of 1925.The opening Toccata of this Symphony is highly dramatic but compact, whilst still retaining the 'traditional' structural elements of exposition, development and recapitulation; indeed, it also has the 'traditional' element of a contrasting second subject - a gentle, lyrical modal melody first heard on solo cornets.In contrast, the longer and more substantial second movement Variations is built around a theme and four variations. The slowly unfolding chorale-like theme accumulates both added note harmony and increasing instrumentation, whilst the four variations which follow are by turn mercurial (fast, starting with all the instruments muted), march-like (menacing, with short rhythmic articulations underpinning an extended atonal melody), serene (a series of 'romances' for solo instruments alongside echoes of the chorale) with an emerging theme eventually bursting into a climax of passionate intent; whilst the final variation is a dynamic scherzo (concertante-like in its series of rapid-fire solos, duets, trios and quartets) with the music gradually incorporating elements of the main ideas from the first movement, thus acting as a recapitulation for the whole work. It reaches its peroration with a return to the very opening of the symphony, now in the 'home' tonality of F, and thus creating a truly symphonic dimension to the music.Most of the melodic material of the symphony is derived from the opening eleven-note 'row', which contains various intervallic sets, and although the work is not serially conceived it does use some typical quasi-serial procedures, such as canons, inversions, and retrogrades. The symphony uses somewhat limited percussion, in line with a 'classical' approach to the sound world of the brass band, alongside a use of multi-divisi instrumentation, whereby each player has an individual part rather than the traditional doubling within certain sections of the band.- Edward GregsonDuration: 19.00
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£59.95Blitz - Derek Bourgeois
The dictionary definition of Blitz is any sudden, overwhelming attack, particularly from the air. It is shortened form of the German word Blitzkrieg, literally meaning a lightning war. The piece is a test of skill, nerve and stamina, culminating in an aural 'Blitz' of great ferocity. The tempo markings in this piece are intended merely as a guide to performers. The composer is particularly anxious that they should not be considered inviolate. Commissioned with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain for the finals of National Brass Band Championships held in the Royal Albert Hall, London, on the 3rd October, 1981.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£124.95Hyperlink - Peter Graham
Hyperlink was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain (funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education) for its 70th Anniversary Year. Since the anniversary coincided with other significant celebrations in 2022 (including the Royal Albert Hall/Ralph Vaughan Williams 150th and the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II) it was requested that these also be recognised in some way.
Where better to begin this challenging brief but with a computer search for the NYBBGB founder Dr Denis Wright (coincidently born in Kensington, home of the RAH). The subsequent rabbit warren of hyperlinks led me to structure the work through a series of "associations":
Movement I - The Voice of Jupiter.
Alongside the discovery that Denis Wright had been a church organist was the realisation that while the RAH has hosted thousands of musical events the fabric of the building actually incorporates a musical instrument, the famous Henry Wills organ (aka The Voice of Jupiter).Organ and J S Bach are synonymous (e.g. Toccata in D min) and so both become fundamental to the content of the movement. An opening 7 note quote from the Toccata leads to a mammoth sound cluster, as if every note on the huge RAH organ is sustained. The material which follows is based upon the notes BACH (in German notation). The notes are manipulated in various ways in a 12 tone matrix; reversed, inverted and so on. Other techniques employed in the movement are ones of which Bach was master, including ground bass and fugue.
Movement II - Remember Me.
The lives of Salvationist composer Ray Steadman-Allen (born 1922) and Ralph Vaughan Williams are remembered here, with "RSA" in musical notation and fragments of RVWs famous Tuba Concerto providing the source material.While writing the movement my father passed away and to close his funeral service the family chose the uplifting Robert Lowry hymn They'll sing a welcome home. It seemed fitting to conclude the movement with a reflective setting of the chorus, the repeated phrase "Welcome, welcome home" eventually disappearing into the ether.
Movement III - Vivat.
The finale takes the form of a short fantasy upon Hubert Parry's marvellous coronation anthem I Was Glad, truly a celebratory note with which to conclude.The first performance of Hyperlink was given by the NYBBGB conducted by Martyn Brabbins at the Royal College of Music, London on August 6th 2022.
Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£65.00AN ELGAR PORTRAIT - D.Price
This work was composed in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the birth English Composer Sir Edward Elgar. The suite is in three movements: 'Introduction', 'Elegy' and 'March', each of which have been inspired by three of Elgar's most celebrated works; Chanson de Matin, Nimrod ('Variation IX' from the Enigma Variations) and Pomp and Circumstance No.1.'Introduction' - Hollybush HillHollybush Hill is the name of one of the peaks of the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. The Malverns were a favourite walking area for Elgar and his wife, and their panoramic views inspired much of Elgar's music.'Elegy' - BroadheathBroadheath is the small village at the foot of the Malvern Hills where Elgar was born (and lived at various times throughout his life). Elgar is buried not far from Broadheath at St Wulstan's in Little Malvern. 'March' - Worcester CathedralMany of the Worcestershire ensembles and music festivals played an important role in Elgar's early musical education. He was heavily involved in The Three Choirs Festival and either conducted or played in many of the light orchestras and vocal groups that performed at venues across Worcester. A statue of Elgar overlooks the Cathedral at the end of Worcester High Street.An Elgar Portrait has been used regularly as an own-choice test-piece for Section 4 bands, and was also selected as the set work for the Swiss National Championships in 2007 as well as the Pontins Championships in 2008. The composer has slightly reworked this piece for the Section 4 Final of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain 2020 and it's this version that should be performed at the contest. If bands currently have an older version in their libraries, please contact us directly for more information.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£35.00
Sentinel - Peter Meechan
Sentinel was written in the summer of 2010 and follows on from another work by the composer, The Karman Line - a piece which describes the point where the earthas atmosphere ends and Outer Space begins.Sentinel goes further into space and takes the idea that the stars are somehow guardians of the sky that we can see, and Space further beyond.The opening section, which prominently features metallic percussion and broad melodies, portrays the grand open space that the stars inhabit. The middle, slower, section is more reflective depicting the isolation of Space, before we hear a reprise of the first section as the finale.Sentinel was written for the 2011 National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
Estimated dispatch 12-14 working days
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£46.95October Festival (Score and Parts) - Eric Ball
This majestic march was written especially for the National Brass band Championships of Great Britain in 1978. Rousing and regal in style. This 40th Anniversary Edition has been beautifully engraved and comes with a full score for the first time. Duration: 6:30
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
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£60.00The Night To SIng (Score only) - Bramwell Tovey
The piece takes its inspiration from the VE Day celebrations of 1945. On 8 May 1945 the end of the war in Europe was celebrated in Great Britain. VE day (Victory in Europe day) gave rise to extraordinary public celebrations all over the country, from street parties to services of thanksgiving, to impromptu singing and community music-making. Contemporary reports mention Victorian ballads and Edwardian music hall songs, as well as the latest popular craze - the Conga. Festivities continued until dawn whereupon, finally surrendering to fatigue, the remnants of the crowd headed home on foot, long after the last bus. Some felt the celebrations to be inappropriate - much of Europe lay in ruins and war still raged in Asia. Almost everyone lamented the loss of somebody who had not survived. Duration: 16:50
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
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£72.00The Night To SIng (Parts only) - Bramwell Tovey
The piece takes its inspiration from the VE Day celebrations of 1945. On 8 May 1945 the end of the war in Europe was celebrated in Great Britain. VE day (Victory in Europe day) gave rise to extraordinary public celebrations all over the country, from street parties to services of thanksgiving, to impromptu singing and community music-making. Contemporary reports mention Victorian ballads and Edwardian music hall songs, as well as the latest popular craze - the Conga. Festivities continued until dawn whereupon, finally surrendering to fatigue, the remnants of the crowd headed home on foot, long after the last bus. Some felt the celebrations to be inappropriate - much of Europe lay in ruins and war still raged in Asia. Almost everyone lamented the loss of somebody who had not survived. Duration: 16:50
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
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£44.00Songs for B.L. (Score only) - Elgar Howarth
Songs for B.L. was commissioned by BBC North for the 1995 BBC Festival of Brass and first performed by the Eikanger/Bjorsvik Musiklag Band in February that year. It was selected as the championship section test-piece for the 1995 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. The piece is in seven sections: Romanza; First Scherzo; Ballad; March; Second Scherzo; Romanza reprise; Coda. It is romantic but charged with highly chromatic harmony, and makes much use of chamber music textures. The work is dedicated to the composer's wife, Mary. 'The meaning of the title,' says the composer, 'is a secret, and will remain so'.
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
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£56.00Songs for B.L. (Parts only) - Elgar Howarth
Songs for B.L. was commissioned by BBC North for the 1995 BBC Festival of Brass and first performed by the Eikanger/Bjorsvik Musiklag Band in February that year. It was selected as the championship section test-piece for the 1995 National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain. The piece is in seven sections: Romanza; First Scherzo; Ballad; March; Second Scherzo; Romanza reprise; Coda. It is romantic but charged with highly chromatic harmony, and makes much use of chamber music textures. The work is dedicated to the composer's wife, Mary. 'The meaning of the title,' says the composer, 'is a secret, and will remain so'.
Estimated dispatch 7-9 working days
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