Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Philip Sparke
Grade 6.0 Duration 16.62
In Search of "La Valse".
WINNING PERFORMANCE EBBC LILLE 2016 Raveling, Unraveling – In Search of ‘La Valse’ was written for the Cory Band as their own-choice test piece for the 2016 European Brass Band Championships in Lille. The piece found its genesis in Sparke’s The Unknown Journey (2014) for concert band, and the use of Ravel’s La Valse as a structural undercurrent to the original piece is an act of reverence. Sparke’s aim was to produce a work that is organic rather than episodic in nature. The composer’s view is that little in music does this better than La Valse and for this reason he uses various sections of this masterpiece, both manipulated and quoted verbatim (including much of its stunningclosing passages) to provide the overall geography of his new work. As the music progresses, more of the Ravel appears, surfacing completely as the piece reaches its climax - a gesture of homage to the French master.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Philip Sparke
Grade 6.0 Duration 16.62
In Search of "La Valse".
WINNING PERFORMANCE EBBC LILLE 2016 Raveling, Unraveling – In Search of ‘La Valse’ was written for the Cory Band as their own-choice test piece for the 2016 European Brass Band Championships in Lille. The piece found its genesis in Sparke’s The Unknown Journey (2014) for concert band, and the use of Ravel’s La Valse as a structural undercurrent to the original piece is an act of reverence. Sparke’s aim was to produce a work that is organic rather than episodic in nature. The composer’s view is that little in music does this better than La Valse and for this reason he uses various sections of this masterpiece, both manipulated and quoted verbatim (including much of its stunningclosing passages) to provide the overall geography of his new work. As the music progresses, more of the Ravel appears, surfacing completely as the piece reaches its climax - a gesture of homage to the French master.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Dan Price
Grade 6.0
Championship Section Test-piece
Realms of Asgard is a symphonic poem for brass and percussion which comprises of seven musical scenes, each reflecting the composers impressions of the individual worlds found in the Yggdrasill legend.
In Norse mythology, Yggdrasill (Ig-dru-cell) is an immense Ash tree that connects the nine home-worlds of the Norse cosmos. Asgard sits at its pinnacle where the High Gods look down and oversee the activities in the other worlds. The nine worlds are:
Hel & Muspelheim – The Realm of Fire
Niðavellir – A Dark Dwelling
Vanaheimr – Home of the Vanir
Jötunheimr – Home of the Giants
Niflheim – Mist Home
Álfheimr – Elf Home
Midgard – Middle Enclosure (Earth) & Asgard – Home of Æsir
Commissioned in 2014 by Dr Howard Evans and the Jaren Hornmuiskkforening for use as thier own choice test-piece at the 2015 Norweigian Nationals.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Marc Jeanbourquin
Duration Grade 4.0
We all set ourselves certain goals in life, some of which can be compared to mountains and are not always easy to reach. Red Mountain depicts these moments, variously strewn with doubts, confidence, calm and emotions. Red Mountain won the audience’s prize at the EBBA 2012 composition competition.
Categories: TEST PIECES (Major Works), NEW & RECENT Publications Composer: Andrew Duncan
Recommended - Championship & 1st Section
Reflections of Freedom depicts the feelings and emotions of the many migrant farmers who left 19th Century Scotland to set up a new life in the ‘New World’. In particular, the joy experienced on reaping their first harvest, so the American folk tune, Bringing in the Sheaves in featured throughout the piece.
Reflections of Freedom was Written for the US Army Brass Band in Washington DC and premiered by them in 1997.
Reflections of Freedom was the title track on the Whitburn Band CD of the same name, recorded in 2004.
Suitable as a test piece for 1st section brass bands.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Stephen Roberts
This is the set test piece for the 2015 British Open in Birmingham.
Difficulty: 5 Duration: 16m30s
The audio extract with this publication is taken from the CD 'Arabian Nights - The Music of Stephen Roberts' by Black Dkye Band, also available to buy from this site. Please click here for more details.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Philip Wilby
Please click on MORE DETAILS to view a sample of the solo cornet part.
Commissioned by Hull City Council to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the work of WlLLIAM WILBERFORCE in establishing the Abolition of the Slave Trade
1. The Clapham Marches 2. Sermon on John Newton's Hymn "Amazing Grace" 3. Cadenza and Reprise
WILLIAM WILBERFORCE was Hull's most prominent MP in the early 19th Century. Although he was involved in many charitable projects, establishing the RSPCA and London's National Gallery, it was his successful campaign to abolish the slave trade which has secured his reputation. This new composition is inspired by his work, his belief in the saving power of evangelism, to change prevailing attitudes and establish freedom for all.
John Newton, sometime slave ship captain, was one of Wilberforce's mentors in early life and he composed many well-known hymns. "Amazing Grace" has become the text most associated with black musicians, and forms the centrepiece of my score. Wilberforce was based in Clapham and his rallies and marches were a regular feature of the outreach of the "Clapham Saints" in the early years of the 19th Century.
Duration 12 minutes
Instrumentation: Brass Band (Organ ad.lib.) The score requires some extra movement of players. Solo cornet to 'off-stage' position. Percussion I to solo position requiring an extra set of dedicated instruments
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Thomas Doss
Grade 6 Duration 15:35
Sweet echoes of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in the introduction bring a gentle slumber. Breathing is calm and sleep holds the promise of rest and relaxation.
With the onset of the REM sleep phase, however, in which most dreams take place and where the day’s events are worked through, we hear other sounds played.
With distorted sounds, reminiscent of an old gramophone, the music pulls the listener inevitably ever deeper into the dreamscape, in a very realistic dangerous situation that comes to a dramatic head. It triggers a desperate struggle between the impulse to awaken and the exhausting urge to flee. For a short moment, it seems as if the wakeful urge has won out, before dream’s powerful spell is again cast, and there’s no escape
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Thomas Doss
Grade 6 Duration 15:35
Sweet echoes of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata in the introduction bring a gentle slumber. Breathing is calm and sleep holds the promise of rest and relaxation.
With the onset of the REM sleep phase, however, in which most dreams take place and where the day’s events are worked through, we hear other sounds played.
With distorted sounds, reminiscent of an old gramophone, the music pulls the listener inevitably ever deeper into the dreamscape, in a very realistic dangerous situation that comes to a dramatic head. It triggers a desperate struggle between the impulse to awaken and the exhausting urge to flee. For a short moment, it seems as if the wakeful urge has won out, before dream’s powerful spell is again cast, and there’s no escape
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Bertrand Moren
Grade 6.0
Duration 14.20
Remembrance consists of three sections that are played without pause. Each part is characterised by the diversity of its music.
The first part displays a great deal of expressive variety combining joy with melancholy. The second section focuses on the contrast between a vertical melody and horizontal, less angular solo lines that naturally flow to a brilliantly sonorous tutti. A bridge passage with highly demanding cadenzas leads to a flourishing finale and the piece ends in a joyful and enthusiastic mood.
A testing work that will give your band something to get their teeth into!
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