Description:
This timeless melody by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612) is now chiefly remembered because of its inclusion in J S Bach?s St.Matthew Passion(hence its title), where it is treated to a variety of rich harmonisations. This setting features alto and tenor saxophones, who first play a lyrical descant to the famous hymn tune and then the melody itself, against a Bach-like obbligato in the upper woodwinds.This fabulous new arrangement presents a wonderful opportunity to feature your saxophones.
Philip Sparke (Arranger)
Hans Leo Hassler (Composer)
Description:
This timeless melody by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612) is now chiefly remembered because of its inclusion in J S Bach?s St.Matthew Passion(hence its title), where it is treated to a variety of rich harmonisations. This setting features alto and tenor saxophones, who first play a lyrical descant to the famous hymn tune and then the melody itself, against a Bach-like obbligato in the upper woodwinds.This fabulous new arrangement presents a wonderful opportunity to feature your saxophones.
Philip Sparke (Arranger)
Hans Leo Hassler (Composer)
Description:
Whilst making no claims to be stylistically authentic, this little piece aims to capture the infectious spirit of mariachi, a word whose origins are lost in the mists of time, but which describes not only the performers (on guitars, vihuelas, violins, trumpets and harp) but also the music itself. Their music speaks of love, passion, politics, life in the country and revolutionary heroes but is unerringly uplifting in style and immediately recognisable as the spirit of Mexico. A chance to add that Spanish flavour to your concerts.
Description:
Whilst making no claims to be stylistically authentic, this little piece aims to capture the infectious spirit of mariachi, a word whose origins are lost in the mists of time, but which describes not only the performers (on guitars, vihuelas, violins, trumpets and harp) but also the music itself. Their music speaks of love, passion, politics, life in the country and revolutionary heroes but is unerringly uplifting in style and immediately recognisable as the spirit of Mexico. A chance to add that Spanish flavour to your concerts.
Description:
The piece reflects the composer's fascination with the origins of the universe and deep space in general.
The title comes from a theory, formulated by Pythagoras, that the cosmos was ruled by the same laws he had discovered that govern the ratios of note frequencies of the musical scale. (Harmonia' in Ancient Greek, which means scale or tuning rather than harmony Greek music was monophonic). He also believed that these ratios corresponded to the distances of the six known planets from the sun and that the planets each produced a musical note which combined to weave a continuous heavenly melody (which, unfortunately, we humans cannot hear). In this work, these six notes form the basis of the sections Music of the Spheres and Harmonia.
The pieces open with a horn solo called t = 0, a name given by some scientists to the moment of the “Big Bang” when time and space were created, and this is followed by a depiction of the “Big Bang” itself, as the entire universe bursts out from a single point.
A slower section follows called The Lonely Planet which is a meditation on the incredible and unlikely set of circumstances which led to the creation of the Earth as a planet that can support life, and the constant search for other civilizations elsewhere in the universe.
Description:
The piece reflects the composer's fascination with the origins of the universe and deep space in general.
The title comes from a theory, formulated by Pythagoras, that the cosmos was ruled by the same laws he had discovered that govern the ratios of note frequencies of the musical scale. (Harmonia in Ancient Greek, which means scale or tuning rather than harmony Greek music was monophonic). He also believed that these ratios corresponded to the distances of the six known planets from the sun and that the planets each produced a musical note which combined to weave a continuous heavenly melody (which, unfortunately, we humans cannot hear). In this work, these six notes form the basis of the sections Music of the Spheres and Harmonia.
The pieces open with a horn solo called t = 0, a name given by some scientists to the moment of the “Big Bang” when time and space were created, and this is followed by a depiction of the “Big Bang” itself, as the entire universe bursts out from a single point.
A slower section follows called The Lonely Planet which is a meditation on the incredible and unlikely set of circumstances which led to the creation of the Earth as a planet that can support life, and the constant search for other civilisations elsewhere in the universe.
Description:
Adolphe Adam (1803-56) is perhaps best known for his classical ballet, Giselle, but it is his Cantique de Noël (popularly known in the English-speaking world as O Holy Night, the opening line of its translated lyrics) that has made him a household name during the Christmas season.
Philip Sparke (Arranger)
Adolphe Charles Adam (Composer)
Description:
Adolphe Adam (1803-56) is perhaps best known for his classical ballet, Giselle, but it is his Cantique de Noël (popularly known in the English-speaking world as O Holy Night, the opening line of its translated lyrics) that has made him a household name during the Christmas season.
Philip Sparke (Arranger)
Adolphe Charles Adam (Composer)
Description:
This piece was inspired by the composer watching his young son, Benny, playing'soldiers with his collection of teddy bears how appropriate!
But it made him think of the many character pieces which take the form of a toy march, the most notable examples being by Haydn, Tchaikovsky and Leon Jessel.
Parade of the Clockwork Soldiers is in the form of apatrol (starting and ending quietly with a louder middle) and aims to represent a band marching past the listener. In fact, where the hall layout permits it, it could be possible toadd a little choreography to the piece, starting and ending with only a few instruments on stage.
Description:
This piece was inspired by the composer watching his young son, Benny, playing'soldiers with his collection of teddy bears how appropriate!
But it made him think of the many character pieces which take the form of a toy march, the most notable examples being by Haydn, Tchaikovsky and Leon Jessel.
Parade of the Clockwork Soldiers is in the form of apatrol (starting and ending quietly with a louder middle) and aims to represent a band marching past the listener. In fact, where the hall layout permits it, it could be possible toadd a little choreography to the piece, starting and ending with only a few instruments on stage.
Description:
The English King, Henry VIII (1491-1547), is mainly remembered for disposing of his wives on a regular basis and breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope Clement VII refused to grant him a divorce so he could marry Anne Boleyn. He was, however, a gifted athlete, dancer and composer, writing many songs, poems and consort pieces (though not Greensleeves, as is often believed). Pastime with Good Company is undoubtedly the best-known of these, written in the first years of the 16th century while he was still a handsome prince, newly married to Catherine of Aragon and the envy of Europe. The lyrics tell the joys of hunting, dancing and singing and would have been sung as part of the court entertainment.
Philip Sparke (Arranger)
King Henry Viii (Composer)
Description:
“Slane,” an Irish folk song that appears towards the end of Prelude on an Irish Folk Tune, is a hymn tune version of the much older folk melody “The Banks of the Bann.” In this composition, fragments of this melody are introduced, hinting at what is to come later in the piece, but another folk-like tune is predominant. This theme later acts as a descant to “Slane” when it finally appears. Add a little Sparke sparkle to any concert with this lovely interlude. Dur: 4:00
Description: Prelude to a Celebration is a fantastic way to open any concert in the tradition of great symphonic openers. The work starts with a triumphant yet majestic fanfare from the trumpet section, which gives the basis for the whole work. A rollicking and driving faster section follows for the woodwinds, which leads into a broader trio before the opening fanfare returns to bring the work to a majestic conclusion. Whatever the occasion (or celebration), Prelude to a Celebration is one piece that is sure to have your audience on the edge of their seat and start your performance off in the finest of styles. Dur: 5:10
Description:
Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece, but has been designed specifically for occasions such as weddings or graduation ceremonies, where it's duration can be altered according to your needs. A must for any ceremonial occasion.
Description:
Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece, but has been designed specifically for occasions such as weddings or graduation ceremonies, where it's duration can be altered according to your needs. A must for any ceremonial occasion.
Description:
Little is known about the life of Prof. Armin Googleheimer. Depsite local success as a musician, postman and wine-lover, his fame did not travel much outside his charming home village of Unterbingen in the Tirol. He was born around 1812 and died in a spectacular fondue-related accident in 1867. Apart from that, all we can say is, judging from the style of much of his dance music, one of his legs was shorter than the other! Clarinet Polka is perhaps his best-known work and has become a sort of anthem for the village of Unterbingen, where the residents now hate the piece. It has an undeniably merry feel however and makes an appoachable work for all young bands.
Description:
Little is known about the life of Prof. Armin Googleheimer. Depsite local success as a musician, postman and wine-lover, his fame did not travel much outside his charming home village of Unterbingen in the Tirol. He was born around 1812 and died in a spectacular fondue-related accident in 1867. Apart from that, all we can say is, judging from the style of much of his dance music, one of his legs was shorter than the other! Clarinet Polka is perhaps his best-known work and has become a sort of anthem for the village of Unterbingen, where the residents now hate the piece. It has an undeniably merry feel however and makes an appoachable work for all young bands.
Description:
The history of rock and roll can be traced back as far as the musical influence of the first African slaves to arrive in North America. The style borrows heavily from rhythm and blues and early rock stars such as Ike Turner, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley had a huge influence through the newly-invented juke box and liberated the youth of the day by giving them a music of their own. Rockin' Trumpets gives the young band a chance to rock and roll with the trumpets taking the lead. Treat your trumpets to this lively solo section feature.
Description:
The history of rock and roll can be traced back as far as the musical influence of the first African slaves to arrive in North America. The style borrows heavily from rhythm and blues and early rock stars such as Ike Turner, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley had a huge influence through the newly-invented juke box and liberated the youth of the day by giving them a music of their own. Rockin' Trumpets gives the young band a chance to rock and roll with the trumpets taking the lead. Treat your trumpets to this lively solo section feature.
Description:
This march from Philip Sparke is in the tradition of English ceremonial or concert marches, such as the masterpieces written by Sir Edward Elgar and Sir William Walton. It attempts to continue this tradition with a march for intermediate band that has all the recognizable hallmarks of a ceremonial march, such as broad melodies, counter melodies, and a nobilmente trio. Dur: 5:10
Description: Salute to a Hero opens with a brass fanfare, decorated by the woodwinds. After a short bridge passage the fanfare reappears, played by the full band. A central lyrical section brings a mood of calm and contrasts brass and woodwind sections before the fanfare returns bringing the work to a dramatic finish. Dur: 2:00 (Grade 4)
Description:
This work has no specific programme, but represents scenes from an imaginary pantomime in the commedia dell'arte tradition. A fine work with many contrasts, from triumphal fanfares through tender waltzes to a peasant dance, this major new work for advanced concert bands is sure to become a much-performed item in your concert repertoire. Dur: 8:30
Description:
There are just over twenty secular cantatas in Bach's prolific output, which include The Coffee Cantata (No 211), The Wedding Cantata (No 202), Phoebus and Pan (No 201) and The Hunt Cantata (No 208) which contains the famous aria Sheep May Safely Graze. Written for four vocal soloists it was originally scored for a relatively large orchestra (including flutes (recorders), oboes and horns) and mixed choir. Although secular in character, the words describe how well a faithful shepherd keeps watch over his flock and hence has obvious allusions to the teachings of the Christian church. Bring a bit of the Baroque era to your concert with this first class arrangement by Philip Sparke.
Description:
There are just over twenty secular cantatas in Bach's prolific output, which include The Coffee Cantata (No 211), The Wedding Cantata (No 202), Phoebus and Pan (No 201) and The Hunt Cantata (No 208) which contains the famous aria Sheep May Safely Graze. Written for four vocal soloists it was originally scored for a relatively large orchestra (including flutes (recorders), oboes and horns) and mixed choir. Although secular in character, the words describe how well a faithful shepherd keeps watch over his flock and hence has obvious allusions to the teachings of the Christian church. Bring a bit of the Baroque era to your concert with this first class arrangement by Philip Sparke.
