SKU: CN.S11042

This symphonic sketch for concert band is packed full different motives thrown around the ensemble hinting at the programmatic leitmotifs of Wagner. Every section of the ensemble gets a workout in this delightful 10-minute work.

A Symphonic Sketch for Concert Band. The resurgence of interest in George Lloyd's music must give us faith that such talent will ultimately prevail against sometimes unhappy circumstances. Lloyd was Cornish and showed precocious gifts at an early age - he had completed his first symphony by the age of nineteen. During the 1930s he completed two operas, one of which - The Serf - was produced at Covent Garden in 1938. He was set for a glittering career as a composer. The Second World War intervened and he was invalidad out of the Navy in a shell-shocked state, and having written very little serious music since 1937 went to Switzerland to recuperate, looked after by his wife, Nancy. Painfully, he began writing again - symphonies Nos. 4 and 5 - and then returned to England. He needed to earn a living and he set up a mushroom farm in Dorset. But slowly he began to compose again and drafted more symphonies in short score. By this time he was virtually unknown - despite being considered the equal of Walton, Britten, and other young stars of English music some 30 years earlier. Lloyd decided to embark on a series of recordings of his symphonies, and slowly popular acclaim enabled him to regain his position. The Forest of Arden was written in 1987 as a result of a commission by the Solihull Youth Wind Band. Although Lloyd's music feels instinctively written one should not be misled - it is carefully crafted, but the craft and structure are always subordinated to create a flow with a strongly melodic content. Instead of two or three themes, The Forest of Arden contains an abundance of ideas which can be described in two groups. The first group contains the opening rhythmic motif, quickly developed into a short rising quaver passage in the woodwinds, and later then a chromatic ostinato bass - only 8 bars at this stage but later expanded. The second group is broad and expansive, initially based on intervals of rising fifths introduced by euphonium, tubas, and baritone saxophone, immediately echoed by horns. Low brass and winds expand the theme into rising sixths and octaves. There is a hint of development, bit this is arrested as the music moves to a piu tranquillo section introduced by the alto saxophone which further develops the rising sixth theme. There follows a true development of the opening material, starting with the ostinato bass and gradually passing through different tonal centers until the rising fifths of the second theme group are heralded - fortissimo and poco piu largamente shortly before the end. The structure is almost Wagnerian (albeit on a much smaller scale), with themes being used as leitmotifs, but this is music which, even within the space of ten minutes is conceived on a grand design.

SKU: CN.S11203

Freedom's Sword tells the tale of battle and reconciliation between two lands, deriving themes from the well-known Scottish song Ca' the yowes. Horn calls and pounding drums set the tone for the battle scenes while a dreamy alto saxophone solo creates an air of optimism.

This work was originally commissioned by Nigel Boddice for the West Lothian Schools Brass Band to play at the European Youth Brass Band Championships in 1997 entitled Devolution to celebrate the setting up of the new Scottish Parliament. It appears in this revised version for Concert Band with the title Freedom's Sword. The opening section recalls days gone by when the Scots and English fought many a battle. The themes are derived from the well-known haunting song Ca' the yowes. The horn calls and off-stage percussion sound of a distant battle and it gradually comes closer. The centre section creates a mood of reconciliation with a dreamy Alto Saxophone solo. The last section now looks ahead with optimism and various bright dance themes appear based on traditional Scottish reel tunes, one of which is a two-part vocal scat section The piece then heads for its conclusion including a full statement of the main theme.

SKU: CF.CPS262

ISBN 9781491161401. UPC: 680160919994.

Carl Strommen, an alumnus of the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD, composed A Walk in the Park for Walter Avenllaneda's John F. Kennedy High School Band. This composition features dynamic brass and sweeping & energetic woodwind lines. Adhere to natural phrases for which the music of Carl Strommen is known, especially in the beginning and end of the piece, to achieve the full sustained chords that are written. Make sure to bring out the three- note motif as it is orchestrated throughout the piece even in the beginning. The fast sections should be vibrant, energetic and with exaggerated dynamics that follow the line shapes. The Waltz in the middle requires a complete change of style and adds a wonderful contrast to the energy of the piece. The transition out of the Waltz into the new tempo will take some time but is well worth the effort to pull it off. The energy returns until we get a wonderful dramatic and bold ending.
Carl Strommen, an alumnus of the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD, composed A Walk in the Park for Walter Avenllaneda’s John F. Kennedy High School Band.  This composition features dynamic brass and sweeping & energetic woodwind lines. Adhere to natural phrases for which the music of Carl Strommen is known, especially in the beginning and end of the piece, to achieve the full sustained chords that are written. Make sure to bring out the three- note motif as it is orchestrated throughout the piece even in the beginning. The fast sections should be vibrant, energetic and with exaggerated dynamics that follow the line shapes. The Waltz in the middle requires a complete change of style and adds a wonderful contrast to the energy of the piece. The transition out of the Waltz into the new tempo will take some time but is well worth the effort to pull it off. The energy returns until we get a wonderful dramatic and bold ending.