Test pieces

Brass

Tallis Variations; Philip Sparke played by the fantastic Yorkshire Building Society Band (YBS) under the baton of David King

Tallis Variations

Partita for Band

Diversions- Variations on a Swiss Theme

Ratby`s winning performance of Tallis Variations at the world music contest 2001 in Kerkrade

Tallis Variations - Ratby Co-operative WMC 2001

Enregistré lors du Championnat Suisse des Brass Bands le 30.11.2014. 

A Tale Of Sorcerers

*****, Concerto n°10 for Brass Band, Percussion & Onde Martenot.
This pièce without title is a true invitation to emotion. Several times I asked myself how could I call a work that tends to speak of emotion, passion and feelings. But for this, my choice was just stopped on the title "*****". Why? Because it is to me quite impossible to name the exact moment when our heart is beating deeply, when we feel an indescribable element who slides under the skin, when a tear escapes quietly from a sight, when our hair stands on all over our body, when our soul takes possession of our flesh. 
Being fascinated by this phenomenon that art causes to humans when it is understood and crossed, the opportunity to work on this mesmerizing creation really pleased me.

Initially, I wrote this piece so instinctivly and probably without worrying about the main problem; The emotion must be induced in the audience, but first among the performers. To transmit a feeling, a mood, the musician must first understand the literature, seize it and give back to the audience in the most accomplished playing. 
The harmonies are nothing. Counterpoint is only mathematical. And orchestration is an artifice. The alchemist then merges these elements to make a Total Art, an Emotion. 
Specifically, after a couple of different versions of this piece and weeks thinking about my goal, this latest version has finally been accepted. There is scarcely no relation between the first test and the final Full Score. 
Questioning the composer was daily and collaboration with the performers was a terrific learning experience.

*****, Concerto n°10 for BB, Percussion & Onde Martenot

Manger Musikklag performed the great piece by Philip Sparke, Perihelion - Concerto for Brassband at the Norwegian Nationals February 2015. This was the own-choice winning performance and the conductor was Philip Harper. 

Perihelion - Close To The Sun - Manger Musikklag

My piece "...as a Glow" as played at last ECC in Freiburg.
Audience Prizewinner
Band Prizewinner

As A Glow - ECC2015

Stan Nieuwenhuis

A King's Lie (Stan Nieuwenhuis)

Flowerdale

Destroy, Trample, as Swiftly as She. Commissioned for the European Brass Band Championships, performed by the Tredegar Town Band.

A King's Lie (Stan Nieuwenhuis)

Lionel1496