Category: SOLOS - Tuba in BC Composer / arranger: Rodney Newton
This work was commissioned by the tuba virtuoso James Gourlay in celebration of the new Millennium and may be regarded as a musical journey from darkness to light. There are four sections played without a break: Into the Unknown (Lento) two dark chords are answered by a rising phrase from the soloist. Material is passed from the band to the soloist and back, rising and falling in emotional intensity. The atmosphere of this opening section is questioning and uneasy and, after a powerful central climax, subsides and leads directly to the second section Hazards (Allegro agitato). The music is fast and edgy with the use of odd metres giving the music a frantic, awkward feel. Eventually, after two short cadenzas for the soloist, the atmosphere becomes calmer and the third section, Reflections (Adagio ma con moto), is reached. This passage is of a lyrical nature and the harmonic landscape more consonant. A warm climax brings a sense of relief and from here onwards the mood lightens until we reach the final section, Into the Light (Allegro con brio). The soloist plays a broad, lydian mode melody surrounded by swirling figures in the accompaniment. This gives way to a central fugal section of a slightly capricious nature before the main theme reappears. The fugal material is reprised and the work ends with the primary material stated in a triumphant blaze of sound.
Category: Solos Composer / arranger: Martin Ellerby
The Three movements are :
1. Sonata 2. Elegy 3. Rondo
Duration 13:54
COMPOSER’S NOTE My Tenor Horn Concerto was written as part of my Composer-in-Residence post with the Williams Fairey Band. It was commissioned with funds made available by the Jewish Music Heritage Trust for a work dedicated to the memory of Marilyn Hydleman, the late sister of Dr Clive Marks, a notable benefactor to numerous music students and passionate crusader of humanitarian issues worldwide. I decided from the outset that ultimately the work would be life-affirming and this basic premise suggested the structure of the piece, enabling me to crib the mood of my former teacher Joseph Horovitz’s Euphonium Concerto which in his words starts ‘first in the head, then in the heart, and finally in the toes’.
1. The opening movement SONATA is restless and aggressive in character and the most serious part of the concerto. Many elements of traditional sonata form are employed, though freely interpreted. The solo horn commences proceedings with a pagan-like fanfare that returns in ritornello fashion throughout the movement. Ideas both aggressive and lyrical are shared and developed between the soloist and band culminating in a frenzied climax of rhythmic activity.
2. The work’s emotional core is a bittersweet ELEGY where an almost seamless melodic line is shared between soloist and band. Again the movement opens with some fanfare figures though this time in the band and of a much more delicate nature than in the first movement. They return from time to time to bridge the various solo melodic lines which all lead to a quiet and sensitive close.
3. The closing RONDO is intended to be fun all round and very definitely wears its heart on its sleeve. For some reason I had the bier-kellers of Munich in mind when writing this finale and this may go some way to explaining the character of the main theme!
With CD accompaniment. Includes : Dancing Queen, Flying Without Wings, How Do I LIve, Love's Got A Hold of MY Heart, More Than Words, You Needed Me .... and more.
For players who have been playing only a few weeks. Contains 20 easy versions of well known classical tunes that you can play a long with the CD accompaniment.
Twelve solos grades 2 - 4. Treble or Bass clef versions available. This is the Treble Clef version
Twelve very first solos — long enough to make worthwhile concert items but carefully graded for both range and stamina.
... The Parson's Nose • Finlandia - Sibelius • Rondino - Haydn • Hardy Country • March of the Priests - Mozart • Lets Call the Whole Thing Off - Gershwin • Giles Farnaby's Dreame and His Humour • Nessun Dorma - Puccini • Basse Dance - Warlock • Rondo from Abdelazer - Purcell • Bone Idyll
A collection of short pieces to show the sonority and variety of the tenor horn, an instrument too often neglected. Ranging from the slow and romantic to the fast and furious with many moods in between.
Includes : 1. On Holiday 2. Three-Legged Horn 3. Tropical Sunset 4. Fugal Mood 5. A Drowsy Moment 6. Bubble in the Tube
Category: Books Composer / arranger: Robert Ramskill
Grades 4 - 6. As well as providing material which is enjoyable to play, the student's musicality is developed by virtue of the fact that the pieces are genuine duos between the two instruments. The 'give and take' between tenor horn and piano necessitates careful listening and a sympathetic response from both performers.
Includes : (i) Blue Moon (ii) Hot Pursuit (iii) Back Chat (iv) Far More Blue (v) Music to Watch Girls By (vi) Reflections (vii) In the Fast Lane (viii) Film 87.
Six pieces grades 2 - 5. Also available in Bass clef This is the Treble clef book.
The title Badinage suggests light-hearted banter and although these six contrasting pieces are moderately easy, they rely on the interaction of soloist and piano rather than simply melodies with accompaniments. They encourage the player to listen to the accompaniment and consider aspects such as balance and imitation. The pieces are ideal for concert performance as well as providing enjoyable study material that may later be used in examinations.
Category: Books Composer / arranger: Robert Ramskill
Nine great tunes with a jazz treatment, grades 3 - 5. This is the Treble Clef book.
A separate Bass Clef book is available.
As well as providing material which is enjoyable to play, the student's musicality is developed by virtue of the fact that the pieces are genuine duos between the trombone or euphonium and piano. The 'give and take' between the two instruments necessitates careful listening and a sympathetic response from both performers.
Includes :
1. It Don't Mean a Thing
2. We Have All The Time in the World
3. The Girl from Ipanema
4. Surf Time
5. Big Deal
6. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
7. Midnight in Moscow
8. Bone Dry
". . . there wasn't one we didn't enjoy playing. Both my pianist and I don't play jazz very much, but we had a throughly good time with the whole album.
The trombone parts are accessible, with a two-octave range (F–F) . . . The piano parts lie well under the hands (seemingly) and really enhance the soloist's part.
These arrangements and originals would be good for pupils to play in school concerts or GSCE performances, or even for someone with more experience wanting a 'lollipop' to fill in a recital. Good value for money and great fun."
Reviewed 'The Trombonist'
Eight great tunes - grades 4 - 6. Medium difficulty. This is the Treble Clef version A separate Bass Clef version is available.
A selection of numbers from the 1920's to the 1940's providing plenty of stylistic variety for the soloist (including some ad-libbing!) with sympathetic and highly-playable piano accompaniments. Guaranteed smiles and lots of enjoyment in this collection.
Includes : 1. On the Sunny Side of the Street 2. A Nightingale Saing in Berkley Square 3. Chattanooga Choo Choo 4. The Joker 5. The Jockey 6. Yes Sir, That's My Baby 7. Leaning On The Lamp Post 8. Charleston
"... a collection of pieces from the 1920's to the 1940's .... As we have come to expect from John Iveson, these are excellent arrangements, well scored, in a variety of keys that lie well on the instrument .... A particularly nice touch is the useful and encouraging comments on style and performance at the top of each piece. The piano parts are enjoyable, and there is an entertaining dialogue between the two instruments." Reviewed 'The Trombonist'
