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£80.00St. Magnus - Kenneth Downie
Dedicated to Alastair Massey, an inspirational music teacher. Commissioned by the Scottish Brass Band Association for the 2004 European Brass Band Championships in Glasgow. This music is a set of variations on the tune known as St Magnus, which is attributed to Jeremiah Clarke. Most people will associate it with Thomas Kelly's hymn which begins: "The Head that once was crowned with thorns is crowned with glory now". The tune is very simple, consisting of just two, four-bar phrases. Neither is there much in the way of rhythmic variety, every note being a crotchet with the exception of two quavers, and the last note in each phrase. Within such a simple structure, however, lies considerable strength. THEME The listener is given the opportunity of hearing it twice, in full, at the beginning, starting with one player but soon taken up by the full ensemble. It returns in the middle of the music and is stated again near the end. This has been done quite deliberately in the hope that there will be an appreciation of what material is being developed, by the listener as well as by those with access to the score, who are able to see the visual connections. VARIATION 1 This takes the rhythm of the last part of the theme and also uses the shape of the opening as a recurring figure. The mood is whimsical and skittish, with short, teasing rhythmic figures tossed around the band, and quick interplay with percussion, at a fast tempo. An energetic flourish finishes this variation before the Andante espress. VARIATION 2 This commences with chords related to the opening of Variation 1. The cantabile on solo comets establishes a new, lyrical mood and there is scope for expressive playing in a series of short solo passages. The theme works its way unobtrusively into the texture before a reprise of the solo cornet melody and some more lyrical interchanges between Eb bass, euphonium, flugel horn and comets. The variation ends serenely with clear references to the last phrase of the theme. VARIATION 3 The first idea to dominate is clearly linked to the shape of the theme's first phrase. There is a frenetic feel to much of this variation, with considerable energy and instability created by extensive use of cross-rhythms. A thinning-out of the score marks a clear change to development of the start of the second phrase of the theme. This proves to be short-lived however, and the opening material returns leading to a restatement of the theme, "Maestoso," after which a euphonium cadenza links to Variation 4. VARIATION 4 Here we have some solos for euphonium, cornet, trombone and Eb bass set against a background of horns and baritones presenting a pensive statement of the theme's opening. VARIATION 5 This commences Allegro, with lively work for cornet and euphonium spreading to the whole band before attention focuses on the beginning of the second phrase of the theme which is initially presented in diminution, then in regular rhythm, then in inversion. An increase in tempo coupled with a decrease in volume, requires dexterity and control, with several metrical challenges thrown in for good measure. The same fragment of phrase becomes an ostinato which generates a frenzied climax, punctuated by short, dramatic silence, before the opening figure returns and the music gradually winds down. The tubular bells herald the final return of the theme, in augmentation, marking the start of the Finale. FINALE This features the running semiquavers of the previous variation sounding in counterpoint. A fast, furious coda speeds the work to a conclusion while references to the opening of the theme are still trying to break into the texture of the music. Kenneth Downie
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£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
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£105.20Den finast eg veit - Aslag Haugen
"Hellbillies" are one of Norways most popular groups, and their love-song "Most beautiful to me" has become a very well know song in their home country. The composer Aslag Haugen and the author of the lyrics Arne Moslatten are both members ofthe band.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£101.30A Christmas Overture - Geir Sundbø
This original overture tries to catch the atmosphere and mystery of the Christmas time.The composer remembers well how it was to wake up in the middle of the night, with a very special excitement to what the Christmas would bring ofsurprises.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£105.20Riv i hjertet - Sondre Justad
The singer/ songwriter Sondre Justad was born in Lofoten in the north of Norway in 1990. His first album Riv i hjertet was released in 2015, and it became a huge success. He got very fine reviews in some of the largest norwegian newspapers, and the title-song was played frequently on the national radio-stations. The song title could loosely be translated as pulling at my heartstrings, and the song has a deep and dark meaning, with the opening lyrics sounding: If I knew - that I would be dying soon, would I be happy with the way I am living my life Please note that the repeating figures in upper cornets should never be dominant, they should only provide texture tothe accompaniment.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£105.20Ungarsk marsj - Hector Berlioz
The "Rakoczi March" (Hungarian March) was the unofficial state anthem of Hungary before Ferenc Kolcsey wrote the Himnusz which is today the official national anthem of Hungary. The first version of this march-song was probably created around 1730 by one or more anonymous composers, although tradition says that it was the favorite march of Francis Rakoczi II. That early version called back Francis Rakoczi II to save his people. It was very popular in the 18th century but in the 19th century the more refined Rakoczi March became prevalent. Hector Berlioz included the music in his composition "La Damnation de Faust" in 1846, and Franz Liszt wrote a number of arrangements, includinghis Hungarian Rhapsody No. 15, based on the theme. The march gave its name to a 1933 Austrian-Hungarian feature film - Rakoczy-Marsch This arrangement is based on Berlioz instrumentation and phrasing from his Hungarian March, but in the form of the 19th century Rakoczi March
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£105.20Hymne til gleden - Ludwig van Beethoven
Schiller's text of 1785 was partially used by Beethoven in1824 when he did finish the 4th movement of his 9th Symphony. The melody has later been used in very many contexts. As the anthem of the European Union, a lot of movies (A clockwork Orange, Die Hard, etc.), music to video games, as the anthem of Rhodesia, as rebel song in Chile and by FIFA. Therefore, it can be used in most settings This Young Band arrangement focuses on the main melody. In the original, the B part is repeated in each variation, but to get three variations (out of four), this repetition has been cut. The first variation should be played as soft as possible, but still with a nice sound. Crescendo to forte(f) and going back to pp should be as a surprise.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£115.60Born to be Wild - Mars Bonfire
This arrangement of "Born to be wild" is based on the song by the band Steppenwolf recorded late in the 1960's. Young musicians can be featured as soloists, using their voice and the instrument. The arrangement also works very well without soloists.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£127.30Venner - Halvdan Sivertsen
This pop-song written and performed by Halvdan Sivertsen was first released on the record album "Hilsen Halvdan" in 1991. Since then, is has been a classic song in Norway. The lyrics is about the benefits of having a lifelong friendship. This arrangement can be performed with SATB choir but works very well also as an instrumental piece. Choir parts are available for purchase separately.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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£122.10Den store dagen - Benny Borg
This beautiful song contains a huge contrast between the hopeful and the disappointing. A mother has her birthday and is waiting her children to celebrate it. Each verse starts optimistically, but the short chorus is characterized by the disappointment, that everyone calls, and cannot come. This has been tried recreated musically, mostly in the last two choruses, as it dawns on her that she will not receive a visit. It's a beautiful tune, but with a serious message that it's easy to take someone for granted.One of the elements Hjorring Brass Band (DK) came up with after rehearsal, was that they really liked the change between the ballad parts with even eights and the swing parts. This also gives the piece a sense of "parlando" character, which tells a story, and is therefore important to focus. It is not quite simple, as the melody also in those parts with even eights has some triplet rhythms. Therefore, this is a topic you can work on very consciously.If you have heard the Wind Band version, you can notice that both keys and modulation are different in the Brass Band arrangement to sound better for this instrumentation.Regarding instrumentation, Flugelhorn, Solo Horn and Euphonium have important roles, in addition to Solo Cornet.It is also possible to use a vocal soloist, but then you have to soften the melody voices, especially, where small variations in the melody have been made for the wind instruments.
Estimated dispatch 5-14 working days
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