SKU: CF.CPS198

ISBN 9781491147542. UPC: 680160905041. 9 x 12 inches.

The beautiful English/Irish folk song Kathleen Mavourneen is the basis for this ballad. The Grey Dawn Is Breaking offers an opportunity for young musicians to stretch their musical muscles by developing expression through dynamics, phrasing, and even rubato.

SKU: CN.S11239

Michael Brand's evocative and atmospheric setting captures the fife, drum and heraldic fanfare of the battlefield. Ideal for contest and festival.

The old Agincourt carol is medieval and unmistakably English. Our King set forth to Normandy is the refrain memorably featured by William Walton in his music for Henry V.

SKU: CN.S11158

A powerful work. An opening fanfare leads directly to an Allegro risoluto, which exudes determination and forthrightness. The second movement follows without a break and is a continuous plaint in which the melody seems forever seeking resolution like a troubled soul searching for respite. Only in the closing bars does peace seem to take over. The final movement, marked Allegro non troppo, starts with a cheering fanfare that leads to a bright and breezy romp, with a rustic feel about it. When the fanfare reappears we are suddenly immersed in exaltations of joy that really give a feeling of optimism as we proceed to the end of the piece via a short Coda.

With this Symphony, Gordon Jacob proclaims his absolute mastery of idiom and instrumentation with a triumphant rejoicing. Written in 1978 as a commission from Arthur Doyle (hence the AD in the title, a typical piece of Jacob wit), it lay virtually unplayed save for the efforts of his Estate, Troy Peterson and Geoffrey Brand and CBDNA (College Band Directors Association, USA), who between them ensured that it was professionally recorded in 1994 and published in 1995. There is little point in indulging in semantics as to whether the piece is a Symphony. It is Jacob's approach to his tuneful, folk-based material which is symphonic: weighty in exposition and development, sonorous and expressive in the slow movement, with a scherzo-like last movement and a giocoso coda. After a brilliant opening fanfare, the quick triple-meter first theme (Allegro Risoluto) is introduced on clarinets, punctuated with brass. It is soon followed by a contrasting melody for saxophone. In all this material the interval of a 4th is prominent, and throughout the work the 4th and 7th are important. Perhaps it is the frequent use of the 7th which gives a feeling of restlessness without resolution which pervades this movement as the themes are dissected and developed. The second movement follows directly after a horn bridge. Still the melody outlines the 7th and the ear is not satisfied until the full band (with organ), comes to rest in Bb major. This point of repose and the magic pianissimo which follows shortly after when the slow theme is re-stated, are the apex of the Symphony's construction. Soon, however, we are transported, via a fanfare, into a helter-skelter 9/8 romp: rustic, English, and almost vulgar, this theme is thrown around the group before exploding into a boisterous 2/4 coda.

SKU: CF.CPS206F

ISBN 9781491148327. UPC: 680160905829. 9 x 12 inches.

Dorian Dialogue is a concert piece for band set in the Dorian mode. Evoking traditional English folk melodies, the first theme is rustic in nature and performed with gusto, while the contrasting second theme flows in a singing style. This piece would be a perfect selection to highlight an ensemble's talent in festival performance and help teach simple sixteenth note figures.

SKU: CF.CPS198F

ISBN 9781491148242. UPC: 680160905744. 9 x 12 inches.

The beautiful English/Irish folk song Kathleen Mavourneen is the basis for this ballad. The Grey Dawn Is Breaking offers an opportunity for young musicians to stretch their musical muscles by developing expression through dynamics, phrasing, and even rubato.