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Adam Gorb's work Farewell wins the British Composer Awards 2009 Wind Band catagory at a ceremony hosted by BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) at the Law Society, London

It was announced on 2 December that Adam Gorb has won the Wind Band catagory of the British Composer Awards 2009 with his work Farewell. This is the third time in seven years that Adam has taken this prize following successes in 2004 and 2008. Maecenas is proud to publish Farewell and to be the major publisher of the most significant works in Adam's large output of wind band literature.

New Publications

Adam Gorb

WAR OF THE WORLDS

for Wind Orchestra 

The inspiration for War of the Worlds came from the former Bromley resident, author, H. G. Wells. It is a large scale, 20 minute work in five clearly defined sections. A slow brooding opening with an atmosphere of suppressed menace is interrupted by a thematically significant distant solo Bass Trombone acting as a messenger from a far off place. Blind panic ensues culminating in a fearsome climax cut short by four off-stage Saxophones representing invading Martians. The saxophones issue a menacing repeated motif whilst gradually moving to their seats in the orchestra. A violent Allegro follows leading to a percussion dominated plateau infected by the saxophone theme, the whole eventually collapsing. The final section features a long impassioned ‘human’ oboe solo (interrupted by shrieks from the ‘dying Martians’) expressing a message of true hope and which increasingly finds warmer support from the ensemble. At the end of the work, the off-stage Bass Trombone returns and the mood darkens, the Martians may have been destroyed but what of the future?  Not for the faint hearted either technically or emotionally!

Instrumentation

Duration 20 minutes

Daniel Basford

NIGHT JOURNEY

A Cantata for Baritone, Chorus and Concert Band

In Night Journey, Basford's superb handling of his forces, choir, baritone soloist and large wind orchestra provides us with a substantial forty-minute extended secular choral work in the tradition of Elgar, Finzi and Vaughan Williams. His innate ear for colour and sure sense of architecture makes his eclectic collection of texts from a variety of poets including Longfellow, Poe, Donne, Fletcher and Blake an evocative and memorable depiction of the passing of time between dusk and sunrise. His knack of writing eminently sing-able vocal and instrumental lines combined with his strong sense of harmonic movement engages us throughout from the gentle pastoral opening Prelude to the awesome final climax in the Hymn to Sunrise with three pairs of clashed cymbals. This is a work that is sure to live forever and become a classic in it's own right!  

Duration 39 minutes

           What the Press said: ...."I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of his superb [Night Journey] .....his handling of his forces, was imaculate! Not one movement outstayed its welcome, rare in a wind band work ..... but he has his own voice and an acute ear not only for instruments and voices, but for harmonic progression and architecture..... There is no doubt in my mind that Basford has the potential to become one of our leading composers for wind ensemble and band".

Norbert Palej

RECOLLECTIONS 

for Wind Ensemble

The term "Recollections" can be understood in at least two ways. On the most basic level, it means "memories". However, there is also the deeper and more constructive way to recollect than merely to reminisce or dwell on things past and gone: it is to "recollect oneself" - to rethink one's life and actions, and to collect and focus one's spirit. This piece depicts three different modes of recollection: through vigilance (being mentally restful yet alert), through play (enjoying the company of friends), and through prayer (contemplating the metaphysical). "Three miniatures of Ravelian distinction, a must for all serious wind ensembles".

Instrumentation

Duration c:11.00 minutes

Clark McAlister

This Is the Day Russian Easter Music I

for Wind Orchestra

Originally commissioned by the musicians of the Ural Philharmonic Orchestra in Russia, This Is the Day draws on material from McAlister's earlier work for wind orchestra "Pascha".  All the material has been extracted from elements of the Russian Orthordox litergy and has been forged into a single movement in three continuous sections which have enormous sweep and power. This passionate committed celebration of Russia's Easter is a wonderful addition to the repertoire and suitable for community and professional bands alike. c:11 minutes. 

Instrumentation

Duration c:11 minutes 

Fergal Carroll

A New Songs Measure

for Choir (SSATB) and Wind Band

Words by Arthur O'Shaughnessy

A New Songs Measure was commissioned by the Association for Music in International Schools, an organisation dedicated to giving young people opportunities for musical performance. Carroll's superbly approachable choral writing carefully takes into account the universal problem of choirs with more women than men making the work highly suitable for school and community use. Arthur O'Shaughnessy's poem, The Music Makers provides the text (as it did in Elgar's famous Oratorio), whilst Carroll's patriotic setting not only provides his typical fingerprint score but also a piece that will have your audience and players dancing in the aisle! This is Carroll at his most Irish, great fun and a work set to become a staple of any choir and band concert.

Instrumentation

Duration c:6 minutes

Recently published music for Wind Orchestras and Ensembles

Tranquility for Wind Ensemble - Adam Gorb

Deep Soul Diving for Wind Orchestra- Emily Howard

Variations on the Wee Cooper O' Fife for Wind Orchestra- Cedric Thorpe Davie

Downtown Blues for Trombone and Wind Ensemble - Adam Gorb

Lost Mountainfor Concert Band - William Sweeney

The Sound of Welcomefor Chamber Winds, Cello and Bass - Bill Connor

Jazz Funeralfor Wind Band - Christopher Coleman

Sun Low Over Waterfor Wind Orchestra - Bill Connor

WernethSuite for Concert Band - Terence Greaves

A Passion for Our Timesfor Narrator, Mixed Chorus, Youth Choir, Brass Band and Organ Philip Wilby

Bestselling Chamber Music from Masters Music

Fine rare out of print editions at reasonable prices

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Flute, Cello and Piano

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Clarinet and Bassoon

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Clarinet, Viola and Piano

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Bassoon

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Horn and Piano

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Eight Horns

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Tuba and Piano

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Wind Quintets

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String Quartet

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Piano

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Organ

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Songs

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Choral Works

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Tim Reynish continues his erudite advice on repertoire for Schools, Music Centres and Community Bands with his latest selection of Maecenas publications

Maecenas Wind Bands & Ensembles Recommendations II

by Tim Reynish
for Schools, Music Centres and Community Bands

It is hard to believe that my last list of recommendations was made four years ago, such a lot has happened in the interim. There are now over 160 scores and sets of parts in our catalogue, and most of them can be heard in full concert performances on our website, an incredible resource at all levels from Grade 1½ to professional. Here are some of my favorites from our most recent publications.

Nine works for beginner bands

An innovation in the last few years has been our genesis series, providing everything beginner bands require: original music by quality composers at AB Grade 1.5 / American Grade 2.5 or less in a wide variety of styles, scored, cued and doubled for almost any combination of instruments, number and ability range of players, with generous quantities of parts and at affordable prices. I like Fergal Carroll'sDance of the Fir Darrigwith its echoes of Riverdance and his Piper of Braffertonreminds me of his Song of Lirthat wonderful piece that sounds like a melancholy folk-like tune. Malcolm Binney has contributed the gently lyrical Nancy's Lamentand I enjoy the ebullience of Shaftoe'sHoedown.  Adam Gorb's triptych Treason and Plot, With Fire and Sword and Back from the Warsbrings a note of the renaissance to the junior band and finally at this level, the quirky character of Gareth Wood'sMarch of the Orcsis great fun. But it's worth listening to all 18 of them to find what ‘rings your bell'.

Eight works for bands with a little more experienced

Perhaps even more exciting is the number of works at about American Grade 3 - 4 level which are real pieces, works which can be played by any band in any situation as concert works of quality. My favorite is Passacaglia, by Timothy Jackson, I commissioned this after hearing the original as the finale of a Symphony for 32 horns, I immediately thought of it in wind band terms, it is a wonderful piece of sustained writing with an extraordinary climax. Three works at this level by Adam Gorb are very welcome, the slow movement of his Trombone Concerto, Downtown Blues, real mood music, and his Singapore piece Sunrise and Safari, a ‘Ravelian' start to the day interrupted by birdsong and a safari trip complete with trumpeting elephants, screaming monkeys and hissing snakes. Finally, Tranquility, an exercise in peaceful, low dynamics with some simple singing and a reminder of the pathos behind man's inhumanity to man. Bells toll and under muted brass and we hear simple aleatoric bird-song in the woodwind. Another of my commissions has also just been published, Deep Soul Divingby award-winning Emily Howard, a tripartite waltz with some energetic writing for all. There's also a suite of light music of the sort we used to hear on the BBC Light Programme in the fifties and sixties, Terence Greaves' Werneth Suite, really good tunes amusingly scored. Finally a work from our newest composer Daniel Basford; his Songs and Refrainsis a four movement suite which can also be played and purchased as separate movements; Arkendale will whet your appetite as a starter.

Four works from the "Celtic Fringe"

At a more advanced level, a slightly revised version of one of my earliest commissions, Matthew Taylor'sBlasket Dances, a sea-scape with Irish folk-songs and a ceilidh worthy of Malcolm Arnold. Three further works redolent of Celtic high spirits have also been published recently. The 'Variations and Fugue on the Wee Cooper of Fife' by Cedric Thorpe Davie has taken thirty years to get into print, but with its catchy tunes and infectious cross rhythms it's bound to be a rapid favorite. Fergal Carroll once again wonderfully exploits the fund of Irish folk melody with his Tipperary Rhapsody and William Sweeney casts a nostalgic look at the hills and lochs of Scotland in Lost Mountain.

Final Choices

A slightly jazzy work is among my ‘forever favourites'. Chris Coleman'sA Jazz Funeralcaptures the legendary atmosphere of a New Orleans funeral procession including the high-kicking return from the burial! And finally, for ambitious ensembles, two works which I think are major additions to the contemporary repertoire, Adam Gorb's emotional Farewelland Davor Bobic's exuberant slavonic suite, Pictures from Zagorje.

Try any or all of them, you will not be disappointed!    

Tim Reynish, September 2009 

Composers in the Maecenas catalogue with anniversaries in 2010

Nigel Clarke b.1960
The City in the Seafor Euphonium and Wind Ensemble, Samuraifor Symphonic Wind Orchestra

Peter Racine Fricker 1920 - 1990
Sinfonia in memoriam Benjamin Britten for Seventeen Wind Instruments

Gareth Wood b.1950
An Ireland AdventureThree Nocturnes for Wind Orchestra, Banquet from Castle Music for Beginner Wind Band,Festivities Overturefor Concert Band,Game On! for Beginner Wind Band,Legends of the Bearfor Wind Orchestra,March of the Orcsfor Beginner Wind Band, Nocturnal from Castle Music for Beginner Wind Band,Percussion Concerto for Percussion Soloist and Wind Band, Processionalfrom Castle Music for Beginner Wind Band,Sospan Fachfor Wind Band,Three Mexican Picturesfor Wind Orchestra,Tortilla Wrapfor Beginner Band,Spanish Picturefrom Three Mexican Pictures for Wind Orchestra,A Wiltshire SymphonySymphony No.1 for Wind Orchestra

Canford Summer School of Music 2010

BASBWE Wind Band Conductors' Course

in association with the BASBWE Education Trust

8 - 15 August

Timothy Reynish, Mark Heron & Russell Cowieson,

This course is for conductors at the intermediate and advanced levels with an interest in wind band music. Up to twenty-five students will be accepted as "active" participants. Observers are also encouraged and will be fully involved in general technique sessions, discussions and playing in the class ensemble, but they will only conduct at the discretion of the tutors. 

The class will explore conducting techniques, score preparation, rehearsal and training skills. A CD and score library will be available for reference and special emphasis will be placed on extending the knowledge of repertoire at all levels. A DVD recorder will be used to analyse technical requirements and development. The course will run concurrently with the Symphonic Wind Orchestra and there will be close liaison between the two.  All participants should bring with them any instruments they play in order to accommodate ensemble work within the class. (If for any reason you are unable to bring your instrument(s), please let the summer school office know when you enrol.) 

Students are required to learn their chosen repertoire thoroughly before commencement of the course. Less experienced conductors may find the works marked with an asterisk more suitable. More experienced students may also wish to prepare the McCabe, Hesketh and Eric Ball works from the Wind Orchestra repertoire list. All students are asked to prepare a movement of either Suite Francaise or Songs and Refrains to conduct in the first session. For further information about the course students should visit www.timreynish.com where further advice will be published.

Repertoire

*Basford Songs and Refrains, *Binney Nancy's Lament,  *Carroll The Piper of Brafferton, Davey The Wee Cooper of Fife, Grainger Lincolnshire Posy, Hesketh Vranjanka, *McNeff Ghosts, Milhaud Suite Francaise, Mozart Serenade in E flat, K375, Orr John Gay Suite, Taylor Blasket Dances, * WoolfendenFrench Impressions 

Symphonic Wind Orchestra

8 - 15 August

Timothy Reynish, Mark Heron & Russell Cowieson Sally McTaggartsaxophone

The Wind Orchestra is designed for experienced amateurs and students to play and study significant repertoire for Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. A regular feature will be chamber music as well as wind ensemble playing. Some of the repertoire will be studied in depth and form the basis for one or more of the several concerts the Wind Orchestra gives during the week. The remainder will be played in repertoire sessions. Reference should also be made to the pieces listed for the BASBWE Wind Band Conductors' Course. 

Repertoire

Ball, Eric Resurgam, Ball, Michael  Saxophone Concerto, Bourgeois Symphony of Wind, Coleman Jazz Funeral, Fletcher Vanity Fair, Hesketh Vranjanka, McCabe Canyons, Milhaud Suite Francaise, Woolfenden French Impressions, Grainger Lincolnshire Posy

Other Canford courses of interest to wind players and directors

1 - 8 August

Wind Chamber Music - Angela Malsbury, David Chatterton & Christopher Newport
Practical Conducting - Rodolfo Saglibeni and Robert Houlihan
Chamber Orchestra - Malcolm Binney

8 - 15 August

A Journey through Jazz - Mike Hall & Gareth Huw Davies
Conductors' Course - George Hurst, Rodolfo Saglibeni, Denise Ham & Robert Houlihan

15 - 22 August

Send for a complete brochure to:

Canford Summer School of Music
P.O.Box 629, Godstone, RH9 8WQ, UK

or look at our website
www.canfordsummerschool.co.uk