Results
-
£10.00The Once and Future King
DescriptionThe Once and Future King is a suite of three movements; each movement was inspired by an Arthurian legend. The first movement, 'Tintagel', concerns the famous Cornish promontory said to be the birthplace of King Arthur. In Arthur's time, Tintagel was part of the court of King Mark of Cornwall and the music imagines a visit by the King of the Britons to his Cornish neighbour and the place of his birth, reflecting the ceremony and drama of such an occasion; the music is strongly antiphonal, contrasting the more strident fanfares of the cornets and trombones with the warmth of the saxhorns and tubas.The second movement, 'Lyonesse', takes its inspiration from the mythical land which once joined Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly. One legend claims that after the disastrous battle of Camlan where Arthur and Mordred were both killed, the remnants of Arthur's army were pursued across Lyonesse to Scilly, whereupon Merlin cast a spell to sink Lyonesse behind them and drown the pursuers. Some say the bells of the 140 churches inundated that day can still be heard ringing. All the material in this movement derives from two short motifs heard in counterpoint at the very beginning, which are intentionally dissonant and bitonal in character.The final movement, 'Badon Hill', takes its title from the legendary site of Arthur's last battle with the Saxons and is a lively toccata based on the medieval secular song L'Homme Armee ('The Armed Man'). The music uses a number of medieval devices including "hocketing" (passing melody from one voice to another). The actual site of Badon Hill is unknown but it has been associated with Badbury Rings in Dorset and a lot of evidence now points towards the town of Bath. Arthur's victory at Badon Hill was the last great victory for Celtic Britain over the Saxon invaders, but in the end only set the conquest back by a few decades. Arthur himself was dead by then, betrayed and defeated by his nephew Mordred, but it is said that Arthur only sleeps and will return in a time of dire need - hence the legend that Arthur's dying words were: Bury me in Britain, for I am the Once and Future King.Performance NotesWhere space and practicality permits the opening movement should be played with cornets and trombones standing behind the band facing the audience; they should retake their seats for the second and third movements.PercussionConcert Bass Drum (ideally NOT Kit/Pedal Bass Drum), Suspended Cymbal, pair of Clash Cymbals, Glockenspiel, Snare Drum, Tambourine, 2 x Timpani (Eb-G, Bb-D), 2 x Tom-toms, Triangle, Tam-Tam* (only if available), Tubular Bells *(only if available).MutesBaritones, all cornets and trombones will require metal straight mutes; all trombones and cornets will require cup mutes.*The Once and Future King was set as the test-piece for the 3rd section of the Swiss National Championships in 2007. The score was then slightly revised in July 2008, the main alteration being the exclusion of the tubular bells part for the Regional Championships of Great Britain in 2009. Some parts which were optional (or cued on other instruments) at the request of the Swiss Brass Band Association were restored to their original octaves and instruments. In 2015 the tubular bells part was restored in the optional Percussion 3 part; all parts in Percussion 3 are optional, although some are cued in the percussion 1 & 2 parts (and the cues should be played if only two players are available).Listen to a preview and follow along with the score below!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£25.00Ring'd with the Azure World
DescriptionRing'd with the Azure World was commissioned by the Harmonia Brass quintet for their final recital at the University of Huddersfield in 2016.He clasps the crag with crooked hands; Close to the sun in lonely lands, Ring'd with the azure world, he stands.The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls; He watches from his mountain walls, And like a thunderbolt he falls.- The Eagle by Alfred, Lord TennysonThe music was inspired by Tennyson's poem reproduced above; it seeks simply to reflect the spirit of the poem. It opens in sparse, lonely mood as the eagle surveys the world beneath. The work quickens in three bursts using metrical modulation to disguise the actual moment of acceleration, reflecting the lazy energy stored in the circling raptor before concluding dramatically in a fall 'like a thunderbolt'. Tennyson's poem, although brief, has inspired much analysis and writing, and is notable for being written in the (then somewhat unfashionable) iambic tetrameter, indicating a foursquare emphasis reflected in the main theme of the music. This is heard first in an octatonic version and later in a purely tonal (if somewhat modal) version. The instrumentation reflects that of Harmonia Brass, a quintet composed of brass band instruments (two B flat cornets, an E flat tenor horn, tenor trombone and E flat tuba). However the music is also available for the more conventional brass quintet of two trumpets, french horn, trombone and tuba.To listen to an audio export preview and follow the music, click play on the video below!Performance Notes1st cornet/trumpet requires a cup mute, ideally with an adjustable cup (the marking "tight" denotes that the cup should be adjusted closer to the bell), and a harmon mute with the tube removed (denoted by "TR" in the score). 2nd cornet/trumpet requires a fibre straight mute and a harmon mute with the tube removed. Tenor horn require a fibre straight mute and a practice mute (any sort) - in the orchestral brass version the french horn requires a stop mute. Trombone requires a cup mute (only). Tuba requires a fibre straight mute and a practice mute (of any sort).Metronome marks should be closely observed - starting either too fast or too slow will have a disproportionate effect on the tempi later in the piece due to the metrically controlled tempo changes.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£72.00
Sing Sang Sung - Gordon Goodwin - Reid Gilje
"Sing Sang Sung" is inspired by "Sing Sing Sing" from the legendary 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra. The famous "Jungle Groove" presented by drummer Gene Krupa and the opening riff from the 1938 performance is retained in this brilliant, swinging tune composed by Gordon Goodmin.The style changes from swing to "jungle groove" (with extensive use of tom-toms), is essential for both these tunes.The best sound recording of "Sing Sang Sung" is "Swingin' For the Fences" by Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band released in 2000. But, you should also listen to the original "Sing Sing Sing" from the 1938 Benny Goodman recording as well!
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£44.00
Alfabetsangen - Var. - Svein Fjermestad
This funny song is a collection of short excerpts from various Norwegian and international songs, all well-known in Norway. The order is, as the title indicate, alphabetical.Several tempo-changes makes this entertaining to listen to and challenging for the players and conductor.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£29.95
MINNEAPOLIS IV (Brass Band Set) - Emil Soderstrom
This march was the outcome of a request from Minneapolis IV Corps to write a march to celebrate its 60th anniversary. At the time of its writing, Soderstrom had become a leading arranger for NBC Radio in Chicago and had mastered many contemporary American styles. His lush harmonies remind one of Gershwin, Porter, Berlin and Rodgers while even the scoring suggests an American big-band of the swing era! These and other novel touches make the march interesting to listen to, as well as to play, over 60 years on.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
-
£50.00Firefly - Simon Dobson
Firefly was composed by award-winning composer Simon Dobson (b.1981) to provide an entertaining up-tempoconcert work for community and youth bands. Composed in funk-rock style, and is based on the groove beat with which it opens. Dobson says, "Firefly was written as a break from my more serious music and as a 'hat tip' to the various types of beat orientated music I listen to." It was first performed by Oslofjord Brass in Norway and in its wind version by Harmonie Shostakovich, Switzerland. Duration: 5-6 minutes. INSTRUMENTATION:1 EflatSop. Cornet, Solo Cornets (4), Bflat Rep. Cornet (1), 2nd Bflat, Cornets (2), 3rd Bflat Cornets (2);Flugel horn, Solo Eflat Horn, 1st Eflat Horn, 2nd Eflat Horn; 1st Bflat Bar., 1 2nd Bflat Bar., 1st Trombone, 2ndTrombone, Bass Trombone; Bflat Euphoniums (2); Eflat Tubas (2); Bflat Tubas (2); 2 percussion
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£127.30Graceful Ghost - William Bolcom
I came to know of this piece when hearing famous Norwegian ragtime pianist Morten Gunnar Larsen playing it at a concert with the Norwegian Navy Band Bergen. I was struck by its melancholic beauty and wanted to arrange it for band.Ragtimes are rarely in a minor key (which this one is) and when you first hear it, you might think it was written around the time when Scott Joplin was the main ragtime composer. But, if you listen more carefully, you notice that some of theharmonies are more advanced than one might expect in traditional ragtime, giving the piece a slightly more contemporary feel. The composer William Bolcom wrote Graceful Ghost in 1970 to honour the memory of his father and it is one of hismost popular pieces.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£19.95Bandkraft 1
The first of three superb sets of new music and arrangements for brass ensemble, edited by John Golland.1. Bandkraft - John Golland: A substantial piece with an exciting syncopated rhythm introduced in the opening bars and referred to throughout in a fanfare-like manner, to which a hint of dissonance adds extra thrill to the sound.2. Saraband - Gordon Jacob: A stately Elizabethan dance of great beauty, utilising modal harmony in Jacob's characteristic style. Constant speed, full note values and careful playing will achieve a beautiful, delicate effect.3. La Donna E Mobile - Verdi, arr. Roy Newsome: An amusing arrangement of this popular favourite by a conductor and adjudicator of international acclaim. Easy and enjoyable to play and to listen to.4. Spike's Rag - Michael Ball: A skilfully written piece in the true tradition of Scott Joplin, with the ragtime rhythm the backdrop to an unfolding conversation between the sections of the band. Really persuasive entertainment.5. National Anthem - arr. John Golland: A simple first verse setting the scene for the colourful and majestic second, utilising chromatic harmonies and an optional tenor counter melody for added splendour.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
-
£102.60Cherubic Hymn of Ukraine - Yakiv Yatsynevych
Ukraine was invaded on February 24, 2022, and the world again became spectators to a conflict between unequal opponents. Once again we saw lies, injustice and brutality up close.I must admit that a feeling of powerlessness arose when experiencing this, an empty feeling of not being able to do anything useful.One early Monday morning, a few weeks into the conflict, I sat down to listen to Ukrainian music.I hardly knew any Ukrainian music, but I was familiar with the composer Mykola Leontovych, the man who composed "Carol of the Bells". He was a member of the Ukrainian liberation movement, and he was assassinated by a Soviet agent in 1921.One of his contemporary colleagues was the composer, teacher and conductor Yakiv Yatsynevych (1869-1945). He wrote church music and choral music, and I became very taken by his Hymn to the Cherubim, a part of the Orthodox Mass.I could not find any sheet music for this. But I have listened to numerous choral recordings, and I have tried to notate the music as I believe the composer himself has done originally.I chose to do the arrangement for a solo group of 4 players. These players can be placed at a distance from the ensemble, maybe on a gallery or at the back of your concert hall.The arrangement was made for Brottum Brass for their participation in the Oslo Brass Festival in April 2022.The performance in the church this particular night was met with a long-lasting silence after the last note. The warm respect, the moving response and love we felt from the audience is a memory I will carry with me for a long time.In the lyrics to this psalm, one finds the phrase:Let us now lay aside all earthly cares- John Philip Hannevik -
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
Audio Player -
£127.30
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
View Music