SKU: BT.AMP-028-130

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 notesform the basis of the sections MUSIC OF THE SPHERES and HARMONIA. The pieces opens 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. ASTEROIDS AND SHOOTING STARS depicts both the benign and dangerous objects that are flying through space and which constantly threaten our planet, and the piece ends with THE UNKNOWN, leaving in question whether our continually expanding exploration of the universe will eventually lead to enlightenment or destruction.

Dit werk weerspiegelt de fascinatie van de componist voor het heelal. Het begint met een hoornsolo met de naam t = 0, waarmee sommige wetenschappers de oerknal aanduiden. Dan volgt een weergave van de oerknal zelf. Het volgendegedeelte, The Lonely Planet, is een meditatie over het ongelooflijke samenspel van omstandigheden dat leidde tot het ontstaan van de Aarde. Asteroids and Shooting Stars beschrijft objecten in de ruimte. Het werkeindigt met The Unknown, waarmee we in het ongewisse blijven over de gevolgen van onze verdere verkenning van het universum. In 2005 won Philip Sparke met Music of the Spheres de National Band Association/William D.Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest.

Mit diesem großartigen Werk, das dem Auftraggeber der Yorkshire Building Society Band am Europäischen Brass Band Wettbewerb 2004 in Glasgow als Selbstwahlstück zu einem weiteren Titel verhalf, beweist Philip Sparke einmal mehr seine außergewöhnlichen kompositorischen Fähigkeiten. Dieses Werk über die Ursprünge des Universums führt uns vom Urknall, vorbei an einsamen Planeten, Asteroiden und Sternschnuppen schließlich ins Unbekannte - die ungewisse Zukunft. Ein Glanzstück und eine echte Herausforderung für jeden Spitzen-Brass Band!

La fresque Music of the Spheres (“La musique des sphères”) souligne la fascination qu’éprouve le compositeur pour les origines de l’univers. L’orchestration est proche de la musique de film. Le climat musical est ample, sonore et contrasté.

Music of the Spheres evidenza il fascino che le origini dell’universo esercitano su Philip Sparke. Il titolo proviene da una teoria del matematico greco Pitagora, secondo la quale il cosmo è retto dalle stesse leggi che governano i rapporti di frequenza tra le note della scala musicale. Questa composizione inizia con un assolo di corno chiamato t = 0, nozione che definisce il momento del big-bang. The Lonely Planet (Il pianeta solitario) è una meditazione sulle circostanze che hanno portato alla creazione della terra. Asteroids and Shooting Stars (Asteroidi e Stelle cadenti) descrive i molteplici oggetti che si muovono nello spazio e che rappresentano unrischio per il nostro pianeta. Le battute finali portano verso l’ignoto (The Unknown) sollevando una domanda la cui risposta resta in sospeso: la nostra continua avanzata nell’esplorazione dell’Universo porter un giorno alla scoperta o alla distruzione?

SKU: HL.50576489

SKU: KJ.WB139

The Puckish Poltergeist, a programmatic work based on the pranks of a devious poltergeist, contrasts the terrifying and the comical. Through the use of rapid meter changes, simultaneous duple and triple rhythmic patterns, and contrasting textural scoring, the composer vividly conjures to mind frightened castle dwellers as they run from varied assortments of flying furniture and kitchen utensils, and the slightly bent puck, as he plays his little 'pranks.' Composed in the spring of 1991, The Pucking Poltergeist was premiered in Chicago at the 45th Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic by the VanderCook College of Music Symphonic Band under the direction of Roger Rocco. It subsequently received a performance by the United States Military Band at West Point Acadamy. In February of 1993, it was featured as one of five works selected for the Symposium XVII for New Band Music at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

SKU: CL.052-1809-00

Opener.

SKU: MB.31154

ISBN 9781513473888. 8.75X11.75 inches.

Practicing scales is essential to building and maintaining strength, technique, tone, and agility on the viola, but it is easy to slip into the habit of playing scales automatically, without paying attention to tonality or sound production. The 29 single-page studies in this book focus the attention of violists on the beauty of sound, with a particular concern for the way different keys resonate on the viola.The first 24 studies address all minor and relative major keys and proceed through the circle of fifths; the last 5 pieces are individually conceived, i.e., apart from the circle of fifths. No metronome indications are given, so the etudes can be played at individually comfortable tempos.The names of the etudes refer to various animals that have scales, including insects, fish, birds, reptiles, and a few species of mammals. The author hopes that in addition to experiencing more enjoyable scale practice, students will be inspired to learn more about these amazing creatures and write scale studies of their own.

SKU: TM.14307SET

Act II No. 5 complete. Includes Auf hohem Felsen lag ich traumend.

SKU: RU.10357