New items in our Brass Band Catalogue

• SIROCCO
  

  Sirocco was commissioned for the Doncaster Concert Band, Musical Director Karen Roberts, by the Hothouse Festival and was premiered at the Festival in March 2007. This version for brass band has recently been completed.
  
  A Sirocco is a wind that originates in the Sahara and sweeps across the Mediterranean through North Africa to Southern Europe. Taking this route as his inspiration, Peter Graham has fashioned a tour-de-force for band that features three Mediterranean folk songs.
  
  Two of the three movements are well known in their respective countries. Firstly, the fast and furious Tarantella is commonly heard as part of traditional Italian wedding celebrations whilst the Romanza can justifiably lay claim as one of Spain’s most enduring melodies, synonymous with the Spanish guitar.
  
  The final movement has its roots in traditional Greek dance music, being a mixture of slow and fast versions of the hasapiko. The best-known example of the form is the famous Zorba’s Dance, and in the same manner the Sirtaki’s sedate opening bars soon give way to a frenzy of activity as the entire ensemble whip up their own musical storm.
  

  See our brass band concert music page for more details.

  
  

• DIES IRAE
  

  Verdi’s Requiem was first performed in May 1874 in Milan and was written to commemorate the life of the great Italian poet and writer Manzoni.

  This arrangement comprises key moments from the Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) section. The main Dies Irae theme is followed by the Tuba Mirum, where offstage cornets play the role of judgment day trumpeters. A transition in the style of Verdi (and utilising material from the work) leads to the majestic Rex tremendae.

  Here the vocal soloists of the original are portrayed by the lyric voices of cornet, flugel horn, baritone and euphonium as the increasingly dramatic music draws to a conclusion.
  

  See our brass band concert music page for more details.

  
  

New items in our Wind Band Catalogue

• SIROCCO
  

  See above description above.

  
  
• THREE JAZZ PIECES
  

  Three Jazz Pieces was written specifically for young bands of Grade 2 ability and features various popular Latin American and jazz rhythms.
  
  Tuned In allows the whole ensemble to set a driving pace, while Midnight Blues presents a calmer mood evoking a “late night city” atmosphere. The suite concludes with Ready to Rumba, which allows the band to “let their hair down” and enjoy the moment.
  
  Sound files and sample score pages available.

• JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH
  

  Now available for wind/concert band. Sound files and sample score pages available.
  

See our wind band concert music page for more details of all of these releases.

Coming Soon!