Results
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£30.00Humming Chorus - Giacomo Puccini arr. Phillip Littlemore
In Puccini's opera, Madam Butterfly, the Coro a bocca chiusa (Humming Chorus) is performed by an off-stage chorus which hums a wordless, melancholy tune, whilst Butterfly, her maid Suzuki, and her child begin the long wait for husband Pinkerton to return after many years away. As night falls, Suzuki and the child are soon asleep, but Butterfly keeps her vigil. This arrangement features four flugel horns, each of which plays into the bell of a bass whilst the bass player moves the valves - creating a unique humming sound.Puccini actually wrote five versions of the opera, Madam Butterfly. After a disastrous premiere in early 1904, Puccini withdrew the opera and substantially rewrote it creating a very successful second version. However, he continued to tinker with the orchestration, not being satisfied until the fifth, and now standard, version dating from 1907.Duration: c.2'40"Difficulty: suitable for all grades
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£35.00Symphonic Dance No.3 - Sergei Rachmaninov arr. Phillip Littlemore
Completed in 1940, the set of Symphonic Dances was Sergei Rachmaninov's last composition. The work is fully representative of the composer's late style with its curious, shifting harmonies, the almost Prokofiev-like outer movements and the focus on individual instrumental tone colours throughout. Rachmaninov composed the Symphonic Dances four years after his Third Symphony, mostly at the Honeyman Estate, 'Orchard Point', in Centerport, New York, overlooking Long Island Sound. The three-movement work's original name was Fantastic Dances, with movement titles of 'Noon', 'Twilight' and 'Midnight'. When the composer wrote to the conductor Eugene Ormandy in late August, he said that the piece was finished and needed only to be orchestrated, but the manuscript for the full score actually bears completion dates of September and October 1940. It was premiered by Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, to whom it is dedicated, on 3rd January, 1941.This arrangement is of the last dance and is a kind of struggle between the Dies Irae theme, representing Death, and a quotation from Rachmaninov's own Vespers (also known as the All-night Vigil, 1915), representing Resurrection. The Resurrection theme proves victorious in the end as the composer actually wrote the word 'Hallelujah' at the relevant place the score (one bar after Fig. 16 in this arrangement). Duration: 3'45"Diffiuclty: 2nd Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£35.00William Tell Overture - Finale
The overture to Rossini's opera William Tell is a fairly large scale work in four sections and lasting some twelve minutes. However, it is the Finale of the overture which is one of the most iconic pieces of music. This March of the Swiss Soldiers is a dynamic cavalry charge and galop often used in popular media to denote galloping horses, a race, or a hero riding to the rescue. Its most famous use in that respect is as the theme music for the radio and TV show The Lone Ranger! It was also used to great comic effect by Spike Jones and his City Slickers and it also finds it's way into the first movement of Shostakovich's 15th Symphony.Duration: c.3'20"Difficulty: 2md Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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£55.00Ancient Airs and Dances - Ottorino Respighi arr. Phillip Littlemore
Ancient Airs and Dances is a set of three orchestral suites written in 1917, 1924 and 1932 respectively. In each, Respighi borrows melodic material from the 16th and 17th centuries, and then applies his own distinct voice to create something at once new and old. This arrangement takes four separate movements from two of the three sets. Balletto detto "Il Conte Orlando" by Simone Molinaro, was a popular piece from the beginning of the 17th century. Its noble rhythmic gestures in the opening and closing sections are answered by a more reflective mood in the middle. Gagliarda, by Vincenzo Galilei (father of the famous astronomer) was originally called Polymnia, after one of the muses of song. Arie di Corte (Courtly Airs), is based on a set of songs by Jean-Baptiste Besard, where sprightlier dances are enveloped by a stately dance. The finale is a clever alternation of two anonymous dances of the late 16th century. There are several variations on a passa-mezzo with interjections of a mascherada. The suite arrives at a brilliant finish with the mascherada's fanfare theme.A recording of this work can be found here: Ancient Airs and Dances.Duration: c. 9'30"Grade: 4th Section and above
Estimated dispatch 5-7 working days
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You're My World - Umberto Bindi, Gino Paoli, Carl Sigman - Len Jenkins
"You're My World" is a ballad originally recorded in 1963 as "Il Mio Mondo" ("My World") by Umberto Bindi, who co-wrote the Italian-language version with Gino Paoli. Although the original Italian version was not a hit, even in Italy, the song came to the attention of UK record producer George Martin, who commissioned an English version to be recorded by his protegee Cilla Black. The English lyrics were written by Carl Sigman. Cilla's recording at Abbey Road Studios was made with Johnny Pearson conducting his orchestra and The Breakaways providing background vocals. Her road manager and future husband Bobby Willis also sang on the track. "You're My World" reached No. 1 in Britain on the chart dated 30 May 1964 and remained there for a total of four weeks, one week more than Cilla's preceding single "Anyone Who Had A Heart" (Also available as a Brass arrangement from Wobbleco Music). Although Cilla returned to the UK Top Ten eight times, "You're My World" was her final No. 1 hit. Two quite different arrangements are available; one for Full Brass Band and one for Brass Quintet with optional Glockenspiel. Both attempt to retain the style of the original recording.
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Bad Moon Rising - John Fogerty - Len Jenkins
"Bad Moon Rising" is a song written by John Fogerty and performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was the lead single from their album Green River and was released in April 1969, four months before the album. It reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks in September 1969 and has been recorded by at least 20 different artists, in styles ranging from folk to reggae to psychedelic rock. The last line of the chorus, "there's a bad moon on the rise", is sometimes misheard as "there's a bathroom on the right" and Fogerty occasionally sings the misheard lyric in concert. The song has become notably popular in Argentina as a football chant and in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a modified version, titled "Brasil, decime que se siente" ("Brazil, Tell Me How It Feels") was sung with Spanish lyrics that taunted Brazil, their traditional rival. It went viral and became very popular (in Argentina).
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£29.95Lead, Kindly Light (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
This beautiful hymn is one of trust and faith, building in confidence 'till the night is gone.' This arrangement follows that line of confidence. The melody begins unaccompanied, which is to say 'alone', and the eventual accompanying voices enter sombrely. Instead of a traditional final cadence, the 'leading of the light' continues, using the first four notes of the hymn as a motif that leads to a second, more positive statement of the melody, underscored by a walking motion. The positivity grows and lasts through a final grand statement of the hymn. A short meditative coda follows, and the arrangement ends with a solo note of reflection.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£70.00General Series Band Journal December 2017 Numbers 2174-2177
Festival March - Stowmarket 125 (Steven Ponsford)This festival march is traditional in style, abounds in energy and features the lesser known chorus 'In that city built four square' which the corps at Stowmarket have featured through the years.At the cross (Paul Sharman)This meditation was originally written for the Disciples of the Cross commissioning and features 'To thy cross, I come Lord', 'At the cross where I first saw the light' and other melodic references to 'The Cross of Christ' are also found within.Flugel Horn Solo How deep the fathers love (Andrew Mackereth)The beautiful contemporary song has been set in a developed Flugel Horn Solo which should have an instant appeal to both soloist and band.Evry time I feel the spirit (Dean Jones)The classic spiritual is given an up-tempo feel and has been featured by the International Staff Band in recent programmes.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£144.99A Brussels Requiem (Brass Band - Score and Parts)
The attacks in Brussels on 22 March 2016 created a shockwave throughout Belgium and the rest of the world. Equally, the attacks in Paris and Nice led to great public indignation, fear and disbelief. What has happened to the western world? Have our cultures grown apart to such an extent that we do not understand each other anymore? Bert Appermont's intention was to voice certain emotions that these acts of terror have caused: particularly fear, grief, anger, and helplessness. He uses the French children's song Au Claire de la Lune as a connecting thread throughout the work. This piece is also about hope and faith in another world, and is meant to pay homage to all victims, resulting in a dignified remembrance. The musical development is presented in four through-composed parts, titled Innocence, In Cold Blood, In Memoriam - We Shall Rise Again and A New Day. This work was commissioned by the Brassband Oberosterreich (Brass Band Upper Austria) to be played at the European Brass Band Championships 2017.Duration: 16.30
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£70.00General Series Band Journal August 2016 Numbers 2158 - 2161
No. 2158 Prelude - My God and King! (Paul Sharman)Based on the hymn tune 'Luckington', this music is a paean of praise to the Lord of all creation.No. 2159 A Christmas overture (Kevin Larsson)An exciting collection of well-known Christmas carols, originally written as a concert opener.No. 2160 March - A voice from above (Eiliv Herikstad)This march refers to a number of Christmas carols. It starts with four bars of 'Hark! the herald angels sing' followed by fragments of 'Joy to the world!' before James R. Murray's 'Den himmelske lovsang' is presented in full. 'Come children, come quickly' requires legato playing from the lower band.No. 2161 In God we trust (Ralph Pearce)Although the title derives from the United States of America's much-neglected motto, the music is a journey through to total trust in God and our Lord Jesus Christ. The tunes featured are 'In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust' leading to 'Trust in God'. Increasingly calm music leads to the more recent song 'In Christ alone, I placed my trust'. The music ends with a brief reference to 'In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust' now in a mood of calm assurance.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days