Results
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£25.00GymnopA(c)die No.1 - Erik Satie arr. Phillip Littlemore
Erik Satie's Gymnopedies is a series of three short piano pieces that were first published in 1888. These atmospheric pieces, all written in 3/4 time and sharing a common theme and structure, are recognised the world over and are his most famous compositions.Gymnopedie No.1 is divided into two almost identical parts, with a steady accompanying rhythm of crotchet-minim, crotchet-minim (short-long, short-long) that remains constant throughout - with the exception of the last two bars of each part! This gently lilting background supports an expressive melodic line which creates the occasional dissonance, yet seems impressively tension free.Duration: 3'10" Difficulty: Suitable for all grades
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£40.00Light Cavalry Overture - Franz von SuppAª arr. Phillip Littlemore
Francesco Cavalieri di Suppe-Demelli was born in Split, then in the Austrian empire, and began composing as a boy. On moving to Vienna he changed his name to the more Germanic and less ostentatious Franz von Suppe and began conducting opera as well as writing over three hundred works of his own. Most are unperformed today though the overtures, such as Poet and Peasant and Pique Dame, are still very popular. The operetta Light Cavalry was written in 1866 with a plot concerning a love intrigue which is resolved by the Hungarian Hussars (Light Cavalry).The Light Cavalry Overture consists of a fanfare, a faster section, and an Hungarian-styled slow section which are interspersed with the famous galop with its short, short long rhythm representing the beat of the horses' hooves. This music has been much copied, parodied and often used for cartoons.Duration: 6'00"Difficulty: Suitable for all grades
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£30.00Nimrod - Edward Elgar arr. Phillip Littlemore
Elgar wrote his Enigma Variations between 1898 and 1899. It is without a doubt Elgar's best-known large scale composition, and is dedicated to 'my friends within', as each variation is an affectionate portrayal of one of his circle of close acquaintances. The ninth variation, Nimrod, is dedicated to Augustus J. Jaeger, Elgar's publisher at Novello & Co. and also his editor and close friend.The name of the variation refers to 'the mighty hunter before the Lord' and can be found in the Book of Genesis. The name Jager is German for hunter. Often used for solemn occasions, it is the most poignant and beautiful pieces of British music.A video of this arrangement can be found here: NimrodDuration: c.3'00"Dofficulty: Suitable for all grades
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£40.00Semiramide - Gioacchino Rossini arr. Phillip Littlemore
The Rossini Overture is practically a genre unto itself, for few other composers have had so many operatic overtures find a second home in the concert hall. Semiramide is one of Rossini's lengthier overtures, clocking in at approximately twelve minutes, although in this transcription it has been reduced to a more manageable eight minutes. Characteristically, Rossini uses several themes from the opera as the basis for his instrumental prelude. This overture became extremely popular in Rossini's day and its most distinctive feature is the rich andantino passage, introduced by the four horns that dominates the slow introduction after an opening flourish. It proved to be the last opera Rossini wrote in his native Italy. After a brief sojourn in London, he moved to Paris the following year and settled permanently in the French capital.Duration: 8 minutesDifficulty: 2nd Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£35.00Voices of Spring - Johann Strauss II arr. Phillip Littlemore
Voices of Spring is one of the younger Strauss' later waltzes, and was written quite a few years later than most of his other great works. It is unusual in that it was introduced not as an instrumental work, but as a vehicle for a coloratura soprano (coloratura meaning prone to elaborate ornamentation). The worked dropped out of the repertoire fairly quickly only to emerge as one of the all-time classics once in orchestral form. It is a staple of the concerts by Andre Rieu and his orchestra.Duration: 3'45"Difficulty: 3rd Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£60.00Music from the Royal Fireworks - G. F. Handel arr. Don Blakeson
Handel's Music For The Royal Fireworks was composed in 1749 to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle and the end of the War of the Austrian Succession. The site chosen was the fashionable upper part of St. James Park, which was becoming known at that time as Green Park. The Green Park 'Machine', which housed the pyrotechnics was an elaborate affair adorned with "statues and other figures, festoons of flowers, and other lustres".It was announced that there would be some 10,000 rockets and other devices to be let off, all culminating in a grand, burning sun with 'Vivat Rex' at its centre. There were also rumours that the event was to be accompanied by an impressively large band of military music and mention was made of "40 trumpets, 20 french horns, 16 hautboys (oboes), 16 bassoons, 8 pairs of kettle drums, 12 side drums, a proper number of flutes and fifes; with 100 cannon to go off singly at intervals". It is unlikely that Handel had ever conceived such forces and it was merely the promoter's hyberbole, not least because it was unlikely that there were sufficient numbers of extra military musicians available that could read music, as most played from memory. It is also likely that Handel, and his publisher, were conscious that future performances would be hindered by such forces. The autographed score lists the instrumentation as 9 trumpets, 9 french horns, 24 hautboys, 12 bassoons, 3 pairs of kettle drums and up to 4 side drums.The work is in five movements, although Handel's original score did not indicate in which order they should be played. However, in this score they are arranged to be played as follows: Overture, Bouree, La Paix, Minuets I & II and La Rejouissance.Duration: c. 19 minutesDifficulty: Suitable ofr all
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£30.00Ave Maria - Franz Schubert arr. Phillip Littlemore
Franz Schubert wrote his Ave Maria in 1825. It is the third of three song settings from Sir Walter Scott's poem The Lady of the Lake, itself written in 1810. It's proper title is Ellen's Song, named after the heroine of Scott's poem, Ellen Douglas.It has been suggested that the opening two words of the original song may have led to the idea of it being arranged for the full text of the Roman Catholic Prayer. It is now most often performed in this latter adaptation, thus leading to the misconception that it was originally set with the prayer in mind.Even in Schubert's own brief lifetime, he was only thirty-one when he died, this song was considered a masterpiece. It acquired greater popularity when it was used in the 1940 Walt Disney film Fantasia where its beauty and simplicity offered calm and respite following the tempestuous strains of Mussorgsky's A Night on Bare Mountain .Duration: 3'40"Difficulty: Suitable for all
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£30.00Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Hugh Martin/Richard Blane arr. Phillip Littlemore
The successful songwriting team of Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane wrote Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas for the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis, where it was introduced by Judy Garland.The original lyrics were too melancholic and Garland asked for something a little bit more upbeat instead. Blane substituted them to the now-familiar lyrics of those Garland sang in the movie, although Frank Sinatra asked for one further change so that the song could be included on his album The Joy Of Christmas. It is one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time and has been recorded by over 500 artists.This arrangement, for cornet with band accompaniment, captures the reflective style of the original song, although allows a little bit of magic to close.A video of this arrangement can be found here: Have Yourself A Merry Little ChristmasDuration: 3'20"Difficulty: Suitable for all (band accompaniment)
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£30.00Pure Imagination - Leslie Bricusse/Anthony Newley arr. Phillip Littlemore
The 1971 film musical Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory starred Gene Wilder in the title role. The music was written by composer/actor Anthony Newley, with lyrics provided by Leslie Bricusse, for which it received an Oscar nomination for Original Song Score.There are several well-known songs from the film, but perhaps the most famous is Pure Imagination, which is sung by Willy Wonka as the five children and their parents enter the Chocolate Room in Wonka's factory. It has been arranged as a trombone solo and has a simple jazz-like accompaniment.Duration: c. 3'00"Difficulty: Suitable for all (band accompaniment)
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£30.00Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies - Pyotr Tchaikovsky arr. Phillip Littlemore
Dance of the he Sugar Plum Fairy needs no introduction as it is one of the most recognisable pieces of music. Tchaikovsky began writing his ballet The Nutcracker in 1891. It received its premiere in St. Petersburg, the following year. The Sugar Plum Fairy is the ruler of the Land of Sweets although she only dances in Act 2 of the work.This arrangement, retitled The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies, has the slightest of twists in that it features the four members of the bass section. There is no need for the players to dress as ballet dancers, but it does add to the spectacle!Duration: 3'00"Difficulty: 3rd Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days