This is a new category created in January 2019 to celebrate the music of Howard Snell - both his original compositions and his arrangements.
Title are being added daily - January 2nd. 2019
Categories: Solos, Howard Snell Music Composer: G. Puccini Material: Howard Snell
This best selling arrangement is for Bb. cornet. duration 3.38
You can listen to a audio extract and view the Solo Cornet part as a PDF image of this work on your computer, by clicking on the "MORE DETAILS" button on the right - this will the PDF image and the audio extract for you to sample.
Howard Snell writes :
Inextricably linked to Pavarotti's performance, this aria is equally worth listening to by such... dare I say it (?)... equally great artists as Jussi Bjorling. Puccini's gift for the riveting phrase and unforgettable harmonic colouring are justly appreciated by audiences.
Categories: Solos, Howard Snell Music Composer / arrangers: Puccini, H. Snell
Howard Snell writes :
Inextricably linked to Pavarotti's performance, this aria is equally worth listening to by such... dare I say it (?)... equally great artists as Jussi Bjorling. Puccini's gift for the riveting phrase and unforgettable harmonic colouring are justly appreciated by audiences.
Categories: Solos, Howard Snell Music Arranger: H. Snell
Trombone Solo with Band.
Click on MORE DETAILS to view an image (PDF) of the Solo part of this work.
Howard Snell writes: Nat King Cole's performance of this tune has defined it permanently in the public's mind, but arrangers are of course free to come up with their own version. This is my take on it, for solo trombone.
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Arranger: H. Snell
Howard Snell writes : Alpine sonorities and melodies are mixed together here from such diverse sources as the alpenhorn, via Brahms, but basically from a lovely traditional melody "High up on the mountain, there was an old chalet". In fact the melody is current well outside Switzerland and can be found equally in the Auvergne in central France. The offstage alpenhorn parts can as easily be played on a euphonium, without vibrato of course. This piece has never failed to hold the audience' attention for the full 6 or 7 minutes (depending on the performance). It is realtively easy to play and simply needs a little organisation of the groups of players.
Categories: SOLOS - Euphonium, Howard Snell Music Composer: Howard Snell
Solo for Euphonium & Band. Duration 4.15
Howard Snell writes :
Written in memory of two aquaintances, Oration is also connected in my mind with the Aberfan disaster when 144 souls, 112 of them children, were engulfed when liquid coal waste slipped to drown a school. The image in my mind is of a preacher's passionate funeral valediction... a farewell... against the background of a sombre graveside gathering. Although written for euphonium it has been recorded by on trumpet Chris Jaudes. 'Oration is just lovely' wrote one reviewer.
Categories: SOLOS - Euphonium, Howard Snell Music Composer: Howard Snell
Click on MORE DETAILS to view the Solo Euphonium part.
Howard Snell writes :
Written in memory of two aquaintances, Oration is also connected in my mind with the Aberfan disaster when 144 souls, 112 of them children, were engulfed when liquid coal waste slipped to drown a school. The image in my mind is of a preacher's passionate funeral valediction... a farewell... against the background of a sombre graveside gathering. Although written for euphonium it has been recorded by on trumpet Chris Jaudes. 'Oration is just lovely' wrote one reviewer.
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: J.S. Bach Arranger: Howard Snell
You can listen to an extract of this work and view the Solo Cornet part on your computer, by clicking on the "MORE DETAILS" button on the right - this will reveal the extracts for you to sample.
Howard Snell writes: Johann Sebastian Bach – for me, the supreme musician – left no markings or directions of any kind on this magnificent work for organ, as was normal for those times. Cconstantly full of interest for the player and the listener, I have ‘organised’ the music with dynamics, phrasings and tempi according to my own judgement in order to facilitate an ensemble performance – the same process naturally used by all performers, from Bach to the present day.
This version offers satisfying challenges for all parts of the Band.
If you enjoyed listening to this extract, you can buy the full recording of this work on the CD section of our site. If you want to perform this work with your band, you can of course purchase the score and parts here right now, by clicking on "BUY NOW".
The recording is 20 SUPREME YEARS on Bocchino BOCC106
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: Maurice Ravel Arranger: Howard Snell
Howard Snell writes: The first of Ravel's compositions to achieve success, the effect the composer intended is light and flowing, not, as Ravel once complained, "a dead pavane for a princess". For those interested in these things, the word "dead" of the title is a mistranslation. The French word here is "défuncte" which can, as in English mean "dead", but in this particlar context means "of a former time". "Pavane for a Princess of an Ancient Time" is much more accurate. No more corpses, please !
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: Maurice Ravel Arranger: Howard Snell
(Pavane pour une Infante Défunte) Cool, seductive and sophisticated, this little masterpiece has a very confusing title. “Infante” means a Spanish Princess: here Ravel imagines one from former times dancing a stately Pavane. So she is neither an infant or dead. Ravel is quoted saying “Neither is it a Dead Pavane,” when he heard it played too slowly! (This is a new edition of the existing arrangement.)
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: Johann Strauss Material: Howard Snell
A fresh new version of this evergreen - irresistible Classic Showpiece.
Click on "MORE DETAILS" to view the Solo Cornet part.
A little concerto for orchestra... in this arrangement for band... this is a glass of freshly poured champagne every time the music changes direction. Irresistible!
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: O. Respighi Arranger: Howard Snell
1. Pines of the Villa Borghese; 2. Pines Near A Catacombe; 3. Pines ofthe Gianicolo; 4. Pines of the Appian Way
Howard Snell writes: Pines of the Villa Borghese - Children are at play in the pine groves of Villa Borghese; they dance round in circles. They play at soldiers, marching and fighting, they are wrought up by their own cries like swallows at evening, they come and go in swarms.
The Pines close to a Catacomb - Suddenly the scene changes -- we see the shades of the pine trees fringing the entrance to a catacomb. From the depth rises the sound of a mournful chant, floating through the air like a solemn hymn, and gradually and mysteriously dispersing.
The Pines of the Gianicolo. There is a thrill in the air: the pine-trees of the Janiculum stand distinctly outlined in the clear light of the full moon. A nightingale is singing.
Pines of the Appian Way - Misty dawn on the Appian Way: solitary pine trees guarding the magic landscape; the muffled, ceaseless rhythm of unending footsteps. Trumpets sound and, in the brilliance of the newly-risen sun, a consular army bursts forth towards the Sacred Way, mounting in triumph to the Capitol.
This version is still in manuscript but because it is so much in demand all over the brass world we felt it better to hold its place in the main catalogue.
Categories: Howard Snell Music, LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: O. Respighi Arranger: Howard Snell
This purchase includes two movements from THE PINES of ROME
PINES OF the villa borghese
MARCH : THE PINES of the APPIAN WAY
Click on MORE DETAILS to listen to an audio extract and view the Solo Cornet part. Howard Snell writes : Misty dawn on the Appian Way: solitary pine trees guarding the magic landscape; the muffled, ceaseless rhythm of unending footsteps. Trumpets sound and, in the brilliance of the newly-risen sun, Roman legions march forth along the Sacred Way, mounting in triumph to the Capitol.
Ottorino Respighi( 1879 - 1936) was a composer of flamboyant orchestral scores much copied by Hollywood. A master of orchestration he employed virtually every musical device known at the time in his rich tone pictures. His inspirations came from many sources and in Pines of Rome (written in 1924) he evokes atmospheres created by the great avenues of pine trees found in various places around the Eternal city. In this final movement Respighi transports us back to the days of ancient Rome. It is dawn and in the distance we hear the tramping feet of a battalion of Roman soldiers returning from a triumphant campaign, and as they draw closer they lift their enormous carved trumpets (buccini) in a blazing victorious fanfare. Duration 5.02
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: O. Respighi Arranger: Howard Snell
This new version published in September 2015 includes :
1. The Pines of the Villa Borghese 2. March - The Pines of the Appian Way.
Foreword
Ottorino Respighi composed his Pines of Rome (Pini di Roma) in 1924 as the second part of a Roman trilogy. Fountains of Rome preceded it and Roman Festivals followed it. A complete version of Roman Festivals is also available in an arrangement l made for a commission by the National Youth Band of Great Britain. This edition consists of two movements of Pines of Rome, the 1st and 4th. The complete Pines of Rome scored for Brass Band is also available.
Each of the four movements is based in four different Roman landscapes in Rome where pine trees dominate the landscape.
The 1st Movement, Pines of the Villa Borghese, draws a vivid, brilliant picture of children playing their games under pine trees, lively and noisy in the sunshine. The 4th Movement, Pines of the Appian Way, offers the starkest possible contrast, of a misty Appian Way in the early morning, the military road leading into Rome from the South. Among the Pines that shelter the road we see the Roman Army marching towards Rome, its leader assured of "A Triumph," that ultimate accolade awarded only 300 times or so, as far as is known, during the Roman Empire of more than 1,000 years. As the sun rises we see the heroes in all their splendour as they march with blaring brass (buccine), in full ceremonial purple and gold, to be received on the Capitoline Hill by the Senate and the people of Rome.
This arrangement of Pines of Rome has been recorded by the Britannia Building Society Band (Foden’s Band) conducted by Howard Snell for Doyen Recordings.
Now including both the composer’s organ part and the arranger’s original seating plan for which the arrangement was conceived, this version has been revised in 2015. Both the organ part and the seating plan are optional. The arrangement can also be performed with reduced percussion at the discretion of the conductor.
Categories: SOLOS - FLUGEL HORN, Howard Snell Music Composer: Z. Fibich Arranger: Howard Snell
Flugel solo duration 3.09
Click on MORE DETAILS to view the Solo Cornet part.
A virtuoso pianist as well as a professional composer, Zedenek Fibich was highly regarded in his native Czechoslovakia. Poème is his best known short melodic pieces.
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: A. Borodin Arranger: Howard Snell
A New Edition of this work
Another stunning finisher; 11 mins. but can be cut to different lengths.Can be used with chorus (one tone down)
These Dances have been used in so many contexts, from shows to films, that they need no introduction. This complete version can be performed with the choral parts that are sometimes used in concert. There are no choral parts included with this purchase.
Dances included are : 01. Andantino 02. Allegro Vivo 03. Allegro 04. Presto 05. Moderato alla breve 06. Presto 07. Allegro con spirito
Click on the PDF to view the Solo Cornet part.
If you enjoyed listening to this extact, you can buy the complete CD recording on our website : PATRONS' CHOICE III - Foden's Band conducted by Michael Fowles.
Categories: Howard Snell Music, LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC Composer: Edward Elgar Arranger: Howard Snell
Elgar was fond of the march "form", his first work to catch the public ear was the Imperial March written in 1897. His Pomp & Circumstance marches appeared over a period of about thirty years. Nos 1 & 2 in 1901, No3 in 1905, No4 in 1907 and No5 in 1930. Nos 1 & 4 are the best known because of their singable trio tunes, but the others contain some vintage Elgar.
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: Edward Elgar Arranger: Howard Snell
Elgar was fond of the march "form", his first work to catch the public ear was the Imperial March written in 1897. His Pomp & Circumstance marches appeared over a period of about thirty years. Nos 1 & 2 in 1901, No3 in 1905, No4 in 1907 and No5 in 1930. Nos 1 & 4 are the best known because of their singable trio tunes, but the others contain some vintage Elgar.
After the success of the first March, Elgar continued the series with four more excellent compositions that are all arguably more interesting than the first. Number 5 is a thoroughly invigorating piece of ceremonial music, completely undeserving of being in the shade of its famous antecedent.
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, Howard Snell Music Composer: Howard Snell
Thumbnail sketch of Mexico - very difficult; with extravagant percussion.
Howard Snell writes: I wrote Postcard from Mexico for a BBC TV contest, because I urgently needed a finisher to provide an exciting and powerful end to the programme. PFM did the trick and to my surprise immediately became popular with bands and audiences. I evoked the atmosphere of Mexican music with nods towards Aaron Copland, Chavez and Ginastera. However the responsability for most of it, particularly the rhythmic difficulties and the unusual drunken middle section, must be laid at my door.
We grade it 2 and 3 because, while difficult, so many bands love to tangle with its problems.
Postcard from Mexico, by Howard Snell, is available on the CD 'Fever Fantasy!' by Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Band, conducted by John Hinckley.
To view 