Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Robert Simpson Difficulty level: Championship
Duration 12.00
One of the composer's most enduring works, Volcano was written for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in 1979. The composer writes: ""While it is, of course, possible to listen to this piece with the erruption of a volcano in mind, it is also possible to interpret the title in a figurative sense – that is to say, as one might refer to a 'volcanic temperament'. Alternatively, some may prefer to listen to is simply as a piece of music. I would recommend the latter.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Robert Simpson Difficulty level: Championship
Duration 9.00
Previously used as a Championship Section testpiece.
"Vortex – a mass of swirling fluid; the centre of the vortex is static whereas the swirling mass becomes faster as it is sucked inexorably towards the centre. This is reflected in the structure of Robert Simpson’s final work for brass band. It is cast in a single fast tempo movement made up of three sections.
Each section begins softly but actively and grows in volume and intensity to a great discharge of energy on a unison note. Each section is longer than then the last and each unison discharge is a semitone lower than the last. The effect is cumulative and the closing pages witness an explosion of energy from the full band gradually rbeing drawn into the unison final note.
Vortex was commissioned by the IMI Yorkshire Imperial Band and first performed at the Leeds Music Festival on 6 July 1990.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer / arranger: Goff Richards
Set as the First Section Testpiece for the 2006 Regionals. DURATION - 10.50
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The recording is REGIONALS 2006 , - CD is DOY CD206
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Peter Graham
Click on MORE DETAILS to view the Solo Cornet part.
Composers Note On March 17 1923 my grandfather, John Graham, set sail from Glasgow Scotland on the TSS Cameron/a, ultimately bound for the coal fields of West Virginia. As Europe struggled to recover from the aftermath of the war to end all wars a generation of young immigrants looked to the USA for the opportunity of improved prospects and a better life.
Voyage to Worlds Unknown seeks to capture the mixture of emotions of this epic sea journey and as such is unashamedly programmatic in character. The work follows a timeline in five continuous sections:
1) TSS Cameronia - the grandeur and majesty of the vessel 2) Full ahead — a Scottish jig and reel of increasing tempo 3) Ae Fond Kiss - the haunting Burns song - separation from a loved one 4) The Crossing - in the teeth of an Atlantic gale - memories 5) The New Colossus - journey’s end as New York harbour and the Statue of Liberty emerge from the mists:
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! From The New colossus by Emma Lazarus (1883)
Voyage to Worlds Unknown was first performed by Ronald Waiksnoris and The New York Staff Band in the Carnegie Hall New York, March 22 2012.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: William Vean
Duration: 06:30
The Netherlands have been an important trading nation for a long time partly as a result of their geographical situation.
One of the first multinationals in The Netherlands was the ‘Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie’ (VOC).
The aim of the VOC was to send ships to Asia in order to buy pepper and spices, and to take over the Portuguese monopoly in this field. The Company was successful. An era of great prosperity resulted, in which the art of painting (Rembrandt van Rijn) as well as science (Constantijn Huygens) flourished alongside a thriving economy.
1. The Sails are set : There is a lot of hustle and bustle on the quay. The crew are preparing fordeparture. Goodbyes are said and once the sails have been hoisted the ship sets out to sea.
2. A Visit to the Rajah of Yogyakarta: After a voyage of many months the place of destination is reached. A visit to the Radja, the king of the area around Yokyakarta, follows. The dishes and beverages and the native culture in general are very pleasant after having been on a diet of ship’s biscuit and water for such a long time.
3. The Holds have been loaded: The holds have been loaded to the brim, and the voyage home can be begin!
4. Death sails along: Life at sea is rough. not seldom did a sailor die of a tropical disease or scurvy. After a memorial service, the Captain would speak the words ‘One, two, three, in God’s name ...’ and the body, wrapped in canvas, would be committed to the sea.
5. A joyful homecoming: After many months of hardship coming home is perhaps the best part of the entire voyage. The quay is filled with people eager to give the crew a warm welcome.
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Paul McGhee
Waiting for a Pain Hit was written in November 2006 as an entry in the Swiss Brass Band Association's Young Composer Competition where it gained second prize. It was the first major work written by the composer after graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama the same year and was chosen as the set test-piece for the Swiss National Brass Band Championships 2010.
The piece draws its inspiration from the music of diverse artists such as Frank Zappa, The Residents, The Flaming Lips and John Zorn.
The composer writes; "The piece lasts 15 minutes and aims to explore different textures in timbre by the use of various mutes and dynamic nuances. The primary aims are related to both structural coherence and timbre, and whilst the piece explores the use of rhythm and has technical elements, they were not an initial aim of the piece and grew organically from the primary aims. The structure is underpinned by the use of related tempo markings and metronome modulations which give the piece it's coherence. The music has no themes or motifs and moves from one idea to the next, interacting and reacting to what has preceded it. Starting muted and quiet and ending in the same way, the use of tutti' ff 'hits' bring the music to an interrupted close."
Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Peter Graham
Click on MORE DETAILS to view the SCORE or listen to audio extracts.
A five movement suite including :
I. Wrath, 2.54 II. Reflections, 4.45 III. Battle, 3.30 IV. Deliverance, 4.59 V. Phoenix (reprise), 2.58
War of the Worlds was commissioned by the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Saxophone Orchestra and first performed by them in the Maeda Hall, Japan on June 29 2012, the composer conducting. The music is dedicated to Professor Shin-ichi Iwamoto. The transcription for brass band was first performed by the Brighouse & Rastrick Band, conductor David King, in the Bridgewater Hall Manchester on September 8 2012. Epic in scope, the suite takes inspiration from the 1953 film script adaptation of the famous HG Wells novel and key scenes from the film are set as individual movements:
1) Wrath depicts the arrival of the alien advance party on Planet Earth.
2) Reflections – (duet for Flugel and Tenor Horn). Here mankind contemplates a life forever changed as the invaders progress their colonization of Planet Earth.
3) Battle - mankind begin their fight for survival against the Martian war machine.
4) Deliverance – (solo for Soprano Cornet or Tenor Horn Eb). The survivors seek sanctuary in the Church of Santa Maria, still standing among the burning ruins of Los Angeles, and pray for deliverance from the invaders.
5) Phoenix – saved from extinction, mankind commence the rebuilding of the ruined cities. The symbolism of the Phoenix, the mythological bird which rises reborn from the ashes of destruction clearly resonates with the Japanese people in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami of 2011. Their spirit and determination has become a present day reminder of mankind’s ability to overcome adversity.
Categories: NEW & RECENT Publications, TEST PIECES (Major Works) Composer: Alan Fernie
Duration 12.00
Waterfront Sketches was commissioned by the National Children's Band of Great Britain and premiered by them at Repton School in July 2016. The composer was asked to write a work reflecting the four nations that make up the United Kingdom and found inspiration in exploring the rich cultural heritage that can be found in our great port cities.
There are four separate movements:
I. BELFAST - "She was fine when she left here.."
A dark, brooding opening, full of industrial noise and clamour, and reflecting the epic construction of the SS Titanic. Little did they know...
II. GLASGOW - The Vital Spark at Broomielaw
An affectionate portrait of Neil Munro's "Para Handy Tales", and the adventures of the madcap crew of the puffer "The Vital Spark" as it sailed up and down the Firth of Clyde from its berth in the heart of Old Glasgow. Full of quirky west coast humour, and much loved by Scots the world over.
III. CARDIFF - A Romance in Black and Gold
An imaginary soundtrack to a doomed love story in the melting pot of Tiger Bay.
IV. PORTSMOUTH - Of Tallships and Towers, and Tales from Ashore
A rumbustious finale, portraying the energy and activity of this still busy waterfront, with frequent references to our glorious nautical heritage.
Categories: TEST PIECES (Major Works), Howard Snell Music Composer: Hector Berlioz Arranger: Howard Snell
Previously set as a Championship Section test piece.
Sir Walter Scott’s novels were all the rage in Paris in the 1830s and 40s. The immediate success of Waverley was phenomenal and established Scott as a novelist with an international reputation. In his score Berlioz quotes from the novel itself : "Dreams of love and Lady’s charms, Give place to honour and to arms". Set in the times of the 1745 Scots' rebellion, the slow, romantic introduction is followed by an Allegro, full of vigour and youthful spirit.
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