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Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod is a popular setting of the well-used Latin text and was originally published in 1853 as Méditation sur le Premier Prélude de Piano de S. Bach. The piece consists of a melody by the French Romantic composer Charles Gounod that he superimposed over a very slightly changed version of the Prelude No. 1 in C major from J.S. Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, written 137 years earlier. Gounod improvised the melody, and his future father-in-law Pierre-Joseph-Guillaume Zimmermann transcribed the improvisation and in 1853 made an arrangement for violin (or cello) with piano and harmonium. In 1859 the setting was published with the familiar Latin text. This arrangement features the tenor horn and was commissioned for Sheona White and the Brighouse and Rastrick Band to perform at the 2017 Brass in Concert Championships by their conductor Dr David Thornton, at which Sheona won the prize for best tenor horn. It was subsequently adapted into versions for B flat solo instruments (euphonium, tenor trombone or baritone) and with percussion accompaniment only.
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A three movement suite for brass band, suitable for bands of third section standard and upwards. The Once and Future King has been selected as the set test-piece for the 3rd sections of the Swiss National Brass Band Championships in 2007, the Regional Championships of Great Britain in 2009 and the NIBA Championship of Ireland in 2012.
The Once and Future King is a superbly written, atmospheric piece with a thrilling climax - Rodney Newton, British Bandsman
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An exciting, rhythmically driven and highly percussive work with huge chorales and opportunities for staging or choreography - ideal for opening a concert or creating an impact!
The premiere of 'Ariel' was a very effective opener — neatly choreographed and played with zestful spirit and waspish edge - 4BarsRest.com
A PDF download version of this work is available. -
Sonata Pian’e Forte is by the Venetian composer Giovanni Gabrieli and was probably written to be played as part of a service at St Mark’s, Venice. This is the earliest known piece to specify both the instruments to be played AND the dynamics in the written music. This arrangement is available for full brass band or 8-piece brass ensemble.
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The Sword and the Star is a concert overture for brass band which features the Scottish lament "The Flowers of the Forest". It was written for Middleton Band and the title refers the Assheton family crest which features in the arms of the town, and the 'Flodden Sword' captured at the battle in 1513 and still kept in St Leonard's Church in Middleton.