Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

Description:
Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918) belongs to a forgotten generation of English composers who are often over-shadowed by Sir Edward Elgar, and the result has been that much of their work is little played or forgotten. In Parry's case, he is now mostly remembered for his hymn tunes, such as Jerusalem and Repton, both marvellous melodies, of course. The latter first appeared in Parry's oratorio Judith and was adapted as a hymn tune after the composer's death. The solo part can be played by a trumpet, clarinet or alto saxophone and will give your chosen soloist a chance to shine.

Charles Hubert Parry (Composer)
Philip Sparke (Arranger)
 

Description:
Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918) belongs to a forgotten generation of English composers who are often over-shadowed by Sir Edward Elgar, and the result has been that much of their work is little played or forgotten. In Parry's case, he is now mostly remembered for his hymn tunes, such as Jerusalem and Repton, both marvellous melodies, of course. The latter first appeared in Parry's oratorio Judith and was adapted as a hymn tune after the composer's death. The solo part can be played by a trumpet, clarinet or alto saxophone and will give your chosen soloist a chance to shine.

 

Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

Philip Sparke (Arranger)
Sir Arthur Sullivan (Composer)
 

Description:
The four tunes used in this suite have been made universally popular in Sir Henry Wood's,Fantasia on British Sea Songs, which is an ever-present ingredient in The Last Night of the Proms. He introduced this colourful suite into the Proms in 1905, to celebrate the centenary of Nelson's brilliant victory at Trafalgar, when “Britannia” really did “rule the waves”. Bring the excitement of The Last Night of The Proms to any concert with this stirring new edition.

Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

Description:
The four tunes used in this suite have been made universally popular in Sir Henry Wood's,Fantasia on British Sea Songs, which is an ever-present ingredient in The Last Night of the Proms. He introduced this colourful suite into the Proms in 1905, to celebrate the centenary of Nelson's brilliant victory at Trafalgar, when “Britannia” really did “rule the waves”. Bring the excitement of The Last Night of The Proms to any concert with this stirring new edition.

Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

Description:
As the title suggests, this piece comprises a set of variations on an original chorale, which is presented in the opening bars. The chorale uses the dark middle and lower sections of the band and is extended with minor variations until a pause leads to the first real variation, marked Vivo. This is in the form of a moto perpetuo. The second variation is a beautiful Andante introduced by a solo clarinet. Following a full band climax the final variation opens with quiet, nervous energy until its main theme is introduced. The chorale makes a brief appearance until the main theme reappears. This leads to a triumphant final augmented statement of the chorale theme, decorated by the florid clarinet theme in the upper woodwinds. A dazzling new concert work.

Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

Description:
Mozart originally wrote this concerto for a clarinet with an extended lower range, compared to the conventional instrument. As early as 1802, published versions appeared with registral changes, which made the concerto playable on instruments without the extra keys. When producing an edition for the conventional clarinet there are two choices to be made about the extra notes; Is it better to maintain the musical line, and hence transpose whole phrases or passages up an octave, rather than single notes, or is the chalumeau tone more important, in which case it may possibly be better to alter one or two notes to keep the correct octave. In this edition Philip Sparke has usually gone for the former so thesequences make musical sense, but have taken the second option in some places. This fantastic work will prove popular with soloist, band and audience alike.

Philip Sparke (Arranger)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer)
 

Description:
Mozart originally wrote this concerto for a clarinet with an extended lower range, compared to the conventional instrument. As early as 1802, published versions appeared with registral changes, which made the concerto playable on instruments without the extra keys. When producing an edition for the conventional clarinet there are two choices to be made about the extra notes; Is it better to maintain the musical line, and hence transpose whole phrases or passages up an octave, rather than single notes, or is the chalumeau tone more important, in which case it may possibly be better to alter one or two notes to keep the correct octave. In this edition Philip Sparke has usually gone for the former so thesequences make musical sense, but have taken the second option in some places. This fantastic work will prove popular with soloist, band and audience alike.

Philip Sparke (Arranger)
W.A. Mozart (Composer)
 

Description:
This is an ancient Welsh air that was first published in Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1794. Dafydd (David) Owain was a famous Welsh bard who lived on a farm called Gareg Wen (The White Rock) in Eifionydd, Carnarnvonshire, North Wales. Tradition has it that on his deathbed he called for his harp and composed this lovely melody, requesting that it be played at his funeral. Accordingly, it was later played at the parish church of Ynys-Cynhaiarn. Lyrics were later added by Ceiriog Hughes, which describe the melody's inspiration. This version for concert band retains all the beauty and simplicity of the original.

Philip Sparke (Arranger)
 

Description:
This is an ancient Welsh air that was first published in Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1794. Dafydd (David) Owain was a famous Welsh bard who lived on a farm called Gareg Wen (The White Rock) in Eifionydd, Carnarnvonshire, North Wales. Tradition has it that on his deathbed he called for his harp and composed this lovely melody, requesting that it be played at his funeral. Accordingly, it was later played at the parish church of Ynys-Cynhaiarn. Lyrics were later added by Ceiriog Hughes, which describe the melody's inspiration. This version for concert band retains all the beauty and simplicity of the original.

Philip Sparke (Arranger)
 

Description:
The original concept for this work was a suite of short movements, each with its own character, but by the time the first movement was complete it was clear that a conventional three-movement format was going to work out better. The opening movement contains much syncopation and is almost rag-like in style. The slower second movement explores the unsurpassable ability of the euphonium to play lyrically, with a theme that is later taken up by the band whilst the soloist weaves a filigree descant. This leads straight into the third movement, which is almost bebop in style and shows off the jazzier capabilities of the euphonium. The concerto was composed for the virtuoso soloist, Steven Mead. A version for euphonium and piano is also available.

Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

Description:
The original concept for this work was a suite of short movements, each with its own character, but by the time the first movement was complete it was clear that a conventional three-movement format was going to work out better. The opening movement contains much syncopation and is almost rag-like in style. The slower second movement explores the unsurpassable ability of the euphonium to play lyrically, with a theme that is later taken up by the band whilst the soloist weaves a filigree descant. This leads straight into the third movement, which is almost bebop in style and shows off the jazzier capabilities of the euphonium. The concerto was composed for the virtuoso soloist, Steven Mead. A version for euphonium and piano is also available.

Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

George Frederich Handel (Composer)
Philip Sparke (Arranger)
 

Philip Sparke (Composer)
 

Description:
This short and lively overture will make a fantastic opening piece for any concert. It begins with the fanfare-like main theme played by the clarinets and saxophones, which is taken up by the whole band. Following a slower central chorale the original tempo returns and the opening fanfares re-appear to bring the piece to a triumphal end.

Philip Sparke (Arranger)
 

Description:
Christina Rossetti wrote the words to this famous Christmas carol in 1872 in response to a request from the magazine Scribner's Monthly for a Christmas poem. They were set to music by Gustav Holst (1874-1934) for inclusion in the first edition (1906) of The English Hymnal, edited by his life-long friend, Ralph Vaughan Williams. Philip Sparke has carefully arranged the beautiful melody into this delightful version for concert band. A must for any Christmas concert.

Gustav Holst (Composer)
Philip Sparke (Arranger)
 

Description:
Christina Rossetti wrote the words to this famous Christmas carol in 1872 in response to a request from the magazine Scribner's Monthly for a Christmas poem. They were set to music by Gustav Holst (1874-1934) for inclusion in the first edition (1906) of The English Hymnal, edited by his life-long friend, Ralph Vaughan Williams. Philip Sparke has carefully arranged the beautiful melody into this delightful version for concert band. A must for any Christmas concert.

Gustav Holst (Composer)
Philip Sparke (Arranger)
 

Description:
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Philip Sparke's sumptuous arrangement of this Stephen Foster classic will make a perfect item to bring a few minutes of peace and calm tranquillity to any concert. The lush harmonies, so characteristic of Philip Sparke's arranging. Once you have played this, you will want it on every concert program.

Philip Sparke (Arranger)
Stephen Foster (Composer)
 

Description:
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Philip Sparke's sumptuous arrangement of this Stephen Foster classic will make a perfect item to bring a few minutes of peace and calm tranquillity to any concert. The lush harmonies, so characteristic of Philip Sparke's arranging. Once you have played this, you will want it on every concert program.

Philip Sparke (Arranger)
Stephen Foster (Composer)
 

Philip Sparke (Arranger)