Categories: SOLO WORKS & CONCERTOS, New & Recent Titles Composer: Peter Graham
In League with Extraordinary Gentlemen combines two of composer Peter Graham's life interests - composition and 19th century popular fiction. Each of the concerto’s three movements takes its musical inspiration from extraordinary characters who have transcended the original genre and have subsequently found mass audiences through film, television and comic book adaptations.
The first movement follows a traditional sonata form outline with one slight modification. The order of themes in the recapitulation is reversed, mirroring a plot climax in the H.G. Wells novella The Time Machine (where the protagonist, known only as The Time Traveller, puts his machine into reverse bringing the story back full circle).
The Adventure of the Final Problem is the title of a short story published in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. This is an account of the great detective’s final struggle with his long-time adversary Professor Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland. The music takes the form of a slowed down ländler (a Swiss/Austrian folk dance) and various acoustic and electronic echo effects call to mind the alpine landscape. The final bars pose a question paralleling that of Conan Doyle in the story – have we really seen the last of Sherlock Holmes?
The final movement, The Great Race, follows Phileas Fogg on the last stage of his epic journey “Around the World in Eighty Days” (from the novel by Jules Verne). The moto perpetuo nature of the music gives full rein to the soloist’s technical virtuosity. As the work draws to a conclusion, the frantic scramble by Fogg to meet his deadline at the Reform Club in Pall Mall, London, is echoed by the soloist’s increasingly demanding ascending figuration, set against the background of Big Ben clock chimes.
In League with Extraordinary Gentlemen was first performed by Steven Mead and the Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band, conductor Kazuhiko Komatsu, in The Symphony Hall Osaka, Japan, on June 6, 2008.
"In tantum lux" (The only light) was written as a memorial and celebration honoring the life of a music educator and her faith, who taught in a small school her entire career and persevered through the challenges and unique demands that teaching small school bands present. The piece also serves as a celebration of every band student and teacher in small schools everywhere who may not have the resources to have a full ensemble, yet strive every day to experience the joy of making music to the fullest just the same. (4:00)
Categories: CHRISTMAS, New & Recent Titles Composer: Glen Miller Arranger: Nigel Hall
Including: Introduction, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Frosty The Snowmand and Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
Difficulty: D
Duration: 3m57s
Please note this publisher describes difficulty as follows:
Categories: New & Recent Titles, BIGGIES - Grade 4.0 Composer: Brian Balmages
Grade 4.0 Duration 4.15
This innovative work explores the fusion of music with mechanical ideas. Based on the rhythmic drive of a factory underscored with a series of musical “loops” provided by the ensemble, the piece explores the combination of organic and inorganic sounds. Inventive percussive and vocal effects are layered upon one another as the groove begins to metamorphose into more complex sounds while a bluesy element is added to create a “blue-collar” vibe. A series of micro-climaxes ultimately explode in a furry of intensity and flourishes, bringing the work to a dramatic close.
Categories: New & Recent Titles, BIGGIES - Grade 3.5 Composer: Igor Stravinsky Arranger: Andrew Ballent
Based on the original Stravinsky work, this arrangement maintains the piece's full sound but remains within reach of most high school groups. In this setting, a reduced version of the Infernal Dance is heard, followed by the beautiful and memorable finale. A challenging work but well worth the effort.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Kenneth Hesketh
Infernal Ride is mercurial and virtuosic, reflecting the mad-cap chase of Ichabod Crane’s final ride on his horse, Gunpowder, in the story by Washington Irving, namely The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Often an atmosphere of driven fear pushes the music forward, only briefly stopping for breath. The work closes with flourishes in rapid succession, perhaps with the hapless Ichabod meeting his unfortunate end!
Categories: New & Recent Titles, BIGGIES - Grade 4.0 Composer: Brian Balmages
Grade 4.0 Duration 7.15
Inspired by the juxtaposition of uncertainty and boundless optimism, this powerful piece seeks to forge a path of faith, trust, belief and assurance amidst a world of chaos. The opening lyrical section ultimately gives way to unbridled power and optimism as the music ultimately comes together in a show of unity and unfettered glory. Amazingly playable, and forever powerful.
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT - Grade 3.0, New & Recent Titles Composer: Pietro Mascagni Arranger: Manu Mallaerts
Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana” is his only work that is widely known. Especially this beautiful “Intermezzo” is a melody that appeals to the imagination. It is a stylish and melodious work for a well-balanced concert programme. This work is also eminently suitable for warm-up purposes.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Bert Appermont
Grade 3 Duration 2:31
This powerful and festive opening work features a heroic brass fanfare and a lyrical theme based on four descending notes. It is ideal to be programmed as an opener for your concert, or as a ‘musical wakeup call’.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Bacak Arranger: Stephen Bradnum
The Irish Blessing is a celtic gem – the words of the traditional benediction aptly portrayed in music which is both affirming and uplifting.
This finely crafted and sensitively scored arrangement provides an excellent training vehicle for bands of all ages, helping to develop dynamic range; integrate solo and tutti, and at the same time enteraining an audience!
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Benjamin Britten Arranger: Woolfenden
Britten wrote Irish Reel in 1936 as the title music for a documentary film entitled Around the Village Green. It is a bravura piece, exhibiting all the energy and strong orchestral colours typical of the composer’s output at that time, which makes use of a traditional reel tune with the evocative title The Bottom of the Punch Bowl. Guy Woolfenden’s transcription for symphonic wind band skilfully captures all the fun and sparkle of this ebullient score.
Categories: New & Recent Titles, MusicWorks Grade 2, MusicWorks Grade 3 Arranger: Michael Sweeney
Grade 2.5 Duration 5:20
In Ireland's quest for independence, the “Easter Rising” of 1916 was a pivotal event that helped shape history and fan the flames of Irish freedom. Here is a sparkling medley of tunes from Ireland's rebellious past. The familiar Minstrel Boy leads to a lively setting of Wind That Shakes the Barley. The haunting, yet dramatic Foggy Dew then leads to the stirring march strains of The Boys of Wexford which features tin whistles (opt. flutes or piccolo) along with a driving rhythmic pulse.
Category: New & Recent Titles Composer: Irving Berlin Arrangers: Paul Murtha, Audrey Snyder
Concert Band w/opt. Choir
The music of Irving Berlin is timeless. As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Alexander's Ragtime Band, use this entertaining medley with band alone or with added chorus and strings for a grand finale. Other songs included are: Play a Simple Melody, Blue Skies, and Puttin' on the Ritz.
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