Results
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£30.00Janacek's 'Taras Bulba' - Janacek
Comments from Tim Paton, the arranger of Janacek's 'Taras Bulba': "I will never forget the day in 1967 when I was introduced to the music of Leos Janacek, a Czech composer born in 1854, who died in 1928. Janacek was little known in Britain until the 1960's, when the conductor Charles Macherras introduced his unique music. I heard a recording of Macherras conducting the Pro Arte Orchestra in a performance of Janacek's "Sinfonietta".It was in 1969 that I first heard Janacek's Symphonic Rhapsody, "Taras Bulba".Janacek's music is exciting, powerful, emotive, impassioned and unpredictable.I have taken the first and third movements of this piece, and adapted them for Brass Band, which was at times extremely difficult, but rewarding. It sometimes took up to an hour to be satisfied that a mere several bars had been reproduced to convey the composer's intentions.The Death of AndriThe Cossaks, under the leadership of Taras Bulba, are fighting against the Poles in the 17th century. Taras's son Andri seeks to rescue his love, a Polish princess, from a city which is being besieged by the Cossaks. Having found her, he throws in his lot with the Poles, but is finally captured by his father, who executes him as a traitor before riding off again to battle.Prophesy and Death of Taras BulbaTaras himself is finally captured and condemned to be nailed to a tree and burned alive. As the flames creep around him, Taras has the satisfaction of seeing histroops escape, and as he dies, sees a vision of his country freed at last.This is incredibly descriptive music. The mood is constantly changing, creating feelings of love and anger, celebration and melancholy, despair and triumph.This Brass Band EditionThe duration of the original symphonic rhapsody, three movements, is approximately 23 minutes. I chose the first and third movements, so the Brass Band edition is approximately 14 minutes. The main reason is twofold: Being realistic about the demands this music would place on the stamina of the brass player; Keeping the piece less than 15 minutes, so that, if desired, it could be used on the contest platform.Two unique qualities of Janacek's music had to be taken into account when preparing this brass band version. His compositional technique was individual, at times not sticking to traditional expectations, in both form and orchestration. I imagined what the genius himself would have said looking at my work, and how to tackle a particular section to emulate his original intentions. This was particularly the case when dealing with high woodwind and violin parts, the use of tremolo in string parts, and the orchestral harp.Percussion: Janacek included timpani, side drum, cymbals, triangle and tubular bells. For reasons stated previously, I have also included xylophone and glockenspiel. I have also added the gong in a couple of places to enhance the dramatic effect of the music.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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£30.00Roots - Lucy Pankhurst
Commissioned by Katrina Marzella in 2008, this modern 'duet' for Baritone and Euphonium soloists with brass band accompaniment has been inspired by 'nature and environment' as its primary muse. The music takes the listener through 7 stages of environmental atmosphere, in its combination of sounds and effects. It is a very uplifting work and with the back-story in mind (see programme notes below), it makes for an incredibly effective concert feature.Programme notes from the composer, Lucy Pankhurst:There are 7 main sections in the piece :RainGerminationGrowthTransionSunshineRainstormRestThe work begins with Rain, symbolised by the rainstick and 'rain sounds' in the brass , which allows the themes to germinate. The 'roots' of the music themselves, are firmly established in the tonic (root Eb) and 5ths in the low brass, from which the solo lines eventually grow, using triads and 5ths.During Growth, the solo baritone and euphonium begin with separate melodies which begin to twist around each other (much like tree roots), interlocking to produce harmonies and counterpoint, complimenting one another and firmly keeping the music in Eb major. Muted cornets and trombones continue to play overlapping semiquavers, reflecting the raindrops as they fall from the trees and leaves.A brief interlude, featuring brass sextet drives the music back to its Germination stage - here, named Transion, as it grows once more, evolving into something new. The Sunshine section is a dance. Moving rapidly through different keys, the warm sunlight catches on the dewy foliage, creating dazzling moments of clarity and beauty.However, the change in conditions also lead to brief moments of uncertainty, as the various creatures tentatively reappear from their shelter to bask as the earth is warmed. Birdsong can be heard in the solo lines as the entire band join in the celebrations.The jollity does not last long, however, as a Rainstorm, more violent than the last , ensues - stopping the dance in its tracks. The tam-tam and bass drum signify thunder, crashing into the music abruptly. However, the music still survives and re-emerges from the storm, delicately but securely establishing itself into a new key (C major), before softly concluding with the two soloists in rhythmic unison as the rain subsides and the world is at Rest.
In Stock: Estimated dispatch 3-5 working days
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A Holly Jolly Christmas - Johnny Marks - Len Jenkins
"A Holly Jolly Christmas" is a Christmas song written in 1962 by Johnny Marks. He was also responsible for Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Rocking Around the Christmas Tree amongst his other compositions. The most well-known vocal editions are those by Burl Ives who recorded it in 1964 for a Christmas special, and then re-recorded in 1965 for his holiday album, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. This latter version of the song has a somewhat slower arrangement than the previous version and featured an acoustic guitar solo introduction; it is this version that has since become the more commonly heard rendition on radio. More recently, it has been recorded by Michael Buble.
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£55.00Triumph Series Brass Band Journal, Numbers 1351 - 1354, July 2023
1351: The anointed King (Marcus Venables)This piece was originally written as a massed band item for the Ontario Central-East Divisional Music Day in 2019. The updated version includes two songs, King of kings, majesty (S.A.S.B. 376) and O worship the King (S.A.S.B. 52) to a rhythmic setting of the tune Laudate Dominum (T.B. 481). Both songs present the contrasting characteristics of God; the powerful King and gentle, loving Saviour.1352: A suite of English Christmas carols (Kenneth Downie)This suite is the result of a request for a piece of music featuring exclusively English Christmas carols.The first movement features The holly and the ivy (C.C. 87). In sharp contrast, the second movement calls for a broad, sensitive, song-like approach. Using The cherry tree carol (C.C. 85), a much slower tempo than is normally applied to encourage the listener to see this beautiful tune in a new light. The rumbustious arrival of the finale is based on I saw three ships come sailing in (C.C. 44) with the festive mood prevailing until the end.1353: Nothing but thy blood (Norman Bearcroft)This two-verse setting of Richard Slater's much-loved hymn Nothing but thy blood (S.A.S.B. 769) appears straight-forward in nature, but requires a careful sense of the musical line across all parts.1354: Meditation - Reflections on Advent (Andrew Blyth)Two well-known carols, Away in a manger (C.C. 12) and Silent Night! (C.C. 77) are featured alongside original material. The piece attempts to convey a sense of reflection and meditation on the wonderful and awe-inspiring Advent story.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£6.99New Christmas Praise 96 - 115 Choral Edition
A full vocal music/accompaniment edition,this supplementary album contains 20 Christmas songs which will enhance the choral repertoire.Contents :96. Deck the hall 97. Frosty the snowman 98. Have yourself a merry little Christmas 99. Here we come a-wassailing 100.Jingle Bells 101.I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus 102.O Christmas tree 103.Patapan 104.Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer 105.Santa Claus is comin to town 106.Sleigh ride 107.The Boars Head carol 108.The twelve days of Christmas 109.The Christmas Song 110.We wish you a merry Christmas 111.When Santa got stuck up the chimney 112.Winter Wonderland 113.When a child is born 114.Worldwide Christmas message 115.Auld Lang Syne
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£0.49New Christmas Praise Song Book 96 - 115
These books are now an archive publication and, although are still available, have been superseded by Christmas Collection (available in marchcard size: https://www.sps-shop.com/cc-marchcard or A4 size https://www.sps-shop.com/cc-largeprint). Christmas Collection includes 46 new carols and songs as well as 10 extended carols (originally seen in the Sounds of Christmas books).Ideal for congregational singingContents :96. Deck the hall 97. Frosty the snowman 98. Have yourself a merry little Christmas 99. Here we come a-wassailing 100.Jingle Bells 101.I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus 102.O Christmas tree 103.Patapan 104.Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer 105.Santa Claus is comin to town 106.Sleigh ride 107.The Boars Head carol 108.The twelve days of Christmas 109.The Christmas Song 110.We wish you a merry Christmas 111.When Santa got stuck up the chimney 112.Winter Wonderland 113.When a child is born 114.Worldwide Christmas message 115.Auld Lang Syne
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£44.95Judd: Daystar
The title of this work is taken from 2 Peter 1:19 which refers to the word of prophecy about 'the light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts'.The beautiful hymn tune Ascalon is the main focal point while the composer also makes use of the less well-known melody My Saviour suffered on the tree.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£39.95Judd: Excerpt Finale From Symphony 4
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote his fourth symphony in 1877 and 1878. It was first performed in the latter year conducted by Nikolai Rubenstein. Despite initial critical reaction, the symphony has become a staple of the orchestral repertoire and is one of the most frequently performed late 19th century symphonies. In the exciting finale, Tchaikovsky incorporates a famous Russian folk song, 'In the field stood a birch tree' as one of its themes.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£44.95Best of the Seekers
Includes: I'll Never Find Another You; Island of Dreams; Morningtown Ride; Georgy Girl; The Carnival is Over; The Olive Tree; A World of Our Own.
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days
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£74.95Eden (Score and Parts)
This work was commissioned by the Brass Band Heritage Trust as the test piece for the final of the 2005 Besson National Brass Band Championship, held at the Royal Albert Hall, London.The score is prefaced by the final lines from Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost (completed in 1663), in which Adam and Eve, expelled from Paradise, make their uncertain way into the outside world:"...The world was all before them, where to chooseTheir place of rest, and providence their guide:They hand in hand with wandering steps and slow,Through Eden took their solitary way."My work is in three linked sections. In the first, the characters of Adam, Eve and the serpent guarding the Tree of Knowledge are respectively represented by solo euphonium, cornet and trombone. The music opens in an idyllic and tranquil mood and leads into a duet between euphonium and cornet. Throughout this passage the prevailing mood darkens, though the soloists seem to remain oblivious to the increasingly fraught atmosphere. A whip-crack announces the malevolent appearance of the solo trombone who proceeds to engage the solo cornet in a sinister dialogue.The second section interprets the Eden story as a modern metaphor for the havoc mankind has inflicted upon the world, exploiting and abusing its resources in the pursuit of wealth. Though certainly intended here as a comment on the present-day, it is by no means a new idea: Milton himself had an almost prescient awareness of it in Book I of his poem, where men, led on by Mammon:"...Ransacked the centre and with impious handsRifled the bowels of their mother earthFor treasures better hid. Soon had his crewOpened into the hill a spacious woundAnd digged out ribs of gold."So this section is fast and violent, at times almost manic in its destructive energy. At length a furious climax subsides and a tolling bell ushers in the third and final section.This final part is slow, beginning with an intense lament featuring solos for tenor-horn, flgel-horn and repiano cornet and joined later by solo baritone, soprano cornet, Eb-bass and Bb-bass.At one stage in the planning of the work it seemed likely that the music would end here - in despair. Then, mid-way through writing it, I visited the extraordinary Eden Project in Cornwall. Here, in a disused quarry - a huge man-made wound in the earth - immense biomes, containing an abundance of plant species from every region of the globe, together with an inspirational education programme, perhaps offer a small ray of hope for the future. This is the image behind the work's conclusion and the optimism it aims to express is real enough, though it is hard-won and challenged to the last.John Pickard 2005
Estimated dispatch 7-14 working days