Par SPARKE PHILIP. South Down Pictures was commissioned by Millenium Brass 2000, an organisation comprising three brass bands from the county of Sussex, England. The bands (Patcham Silver, Hangleton and Brighton Silver) had got together to organise many events to mark the new millennium and these culminated in a concert in Hove Town Hall on July 9th 2000 when all three bands combined to give the first performance of South Down Pictures. The composer spent much of his childhood amongst the South Downs, a range of hills in Sussex which runs parallel to the sea. Opening with a strong unison passage, interrupted briefly by faster figures based on the interval of a fifth, South Down Picturesdevelops with an often-passionate legato melody. Reaching a climax, this is then followed by the main vivo section of the work, whose main theme is based on the earlier ‘fifth’ figures. A bridge passage leads to a short chorale figure and a rhythmic climax which dissolves into a plaintive cornet solo over staccato chords. This theme is taken up by the whole band and leads back to a recapitulation of the main theme and earlier material. The cornet tune returns triumphantly in the major key before the opening unison passage reappears to provide a stirring coda. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

Par HIGGINS GAVIN. Fanfares and Love Songs was commissioned by the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain for performance on 25th July 2009. Its three movements contrast the extrovert and lyrical qualities of the traditional brass band. The fanfare with which the work opens involves the whole cornet section. The second movement is reflective in mood, beginning somewhat pensively on muted brass, and building to an emotional climax before subsiding back to a distant pianissimo chord. The finale is a fast dance, which with a final recapitulation of the opening fanfare drives on to a breathless close. Brass Band Grade 4: Advanced Youth and 3rdSection Duration: 12 minutes/ Répertoire / Brass Band

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Three Klezmer Miniatures is Philip Sparke’s third work based on traditional Jewish klezmer melodies, after Shalom! and A Klezmer Karnival. Klezmer music originated in the ’shtetl‘ (villages) and the ghettos of Eastern Europe, where itinerant Jewish troubadours, known as ’klezmorim‘, had performed at celebrations, particularly weddings, since the early Middle Ages. In Three Klezmer Miniatures Philip Sparke used the traditional tunes Sham Harei Golan Nigun Shel Yossi, Tumbalalaika, and Hava Nagila. / Niveau : 3 / Musique klezmer / Recueil / Brass Band

Arr. Klaas Van Der Woude. Par VAN OTTERLOO WILLEM. This three-movement work showcases the music of Dutch conductor/composer Willem van Otterloo. Entitled March, Nocturne and Scherzo each of the three movements has the feel of a film score with beautiful soothing melodies contrasted with jazzy interludes. A major new concert item that will both entertain and enchant your audience. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

A Tribute to Jules Verne (1828-1905). Par SPARKE PHILIP. Three Extraordinary Journeys was commissioned to mark the centenary of the death of the famous author Jules Verne. Based on three novels from his Voyages Extraordinaires series of travel stories, the music aims to capture the excitement and adventure of these famous books. A fantastic new major concert or ‘own choice’ contest piece. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

Arr. Klaas Van Der Woude. Par VAN OTTERLOO WILLEM. This three-movement work showcases the music of Dutch conductor/composer Willem van Otterloo. Entitled March, Nocturne and Scherzo each of the three movements has the feel of a film score with beautiful soothing melodies contrasted with jazzy interludes. A major new concert item that will both entertain and enchant your audience. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

Par CURNOW JAMES. This splendid Christmas work gives you a three verse setting of the ancient melody In Dulci Jubilo which is generally associated with the text Good Christian Men Rejoyce. There is however a slight twist to this version in that each verse is a setting by three different composers covering over 300 years. The first setting is by the German composer Michael Praetorius (1571-1621), the second by JS Bach (1685-1750) and the third by the English romantic composer Sir John Stainer (1840 - 1901). The different verses are a fascinating study in the development of harmony and rhythmic style and give a brief glimpse into the personality and compositional styles of each composer. / Niveau : 2 / Répertoire / Brass Band

Sleigh Ride. Par CURNOW JAMES. Troika is a Russian word that means a group of three but it also means a light Russian sleigh pulled by three horses. Christmas Troika portrays the joy of Christmas via a musical sleigh-ride. Listen as the glistening snow crinkles beneath the weight of the sleigh and the hooves of the prancing horses as it travels through the countryside. One can almost see the frost on the trees and hear the wind blow and the sleigh-bells ring as the tune O Come, All Ye Faithful winds its way through the music. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band