Phillip Sparke Brass Band

Elgar's five Pomp and Circumstance Marches were written between 1901 and 1930 with number 1 undoubtedly being the most popular of the five. King Edward VII told Elgar that the tune would 'go round the...

Harlequin was commissioned by, and is dedicated to, euphonium virtuoso David Childs. The piece takes its inspiration from the happy and sad masks that symbolise the Commedia dell'Arte (which features...

Harlequin was commissioned by, and is dedicated to, euphonium virtuoso David Childs. The piece takes its inspiration from the happy and sad masks that symbolise the Commedia dell?Arte (which features...

The Latin American mood of the piece is a salute to the population of California, a state which many feel still clearly displays its Mexican roots. The melody and intoxicating rhythm of the music ooze...

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 Eifion...

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 Eifion...

The idea behind this work was to create an opening piece, something to start a concert in an unusual way. The title is a portmanteau word derived from madrigal. The work indeed begins in Renaissance m...

The idea behind this work was to create an opening piece, something to start a concert in an unusual way. The title is a portmanteau word derived from madrigal. The work indeed begins in Renaissance m...

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 (18...

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 (18...

There are just over twenty secular cantatas in Bach's prolific output, which include The Coffee Cantata (No 211), The Wedding Cantata (No 202), Phoebus and Pan (No 201) and the Hunt Cantata (No 208) w...

There are just over twenty secular cantatas in Bach's prolific output, which include The Coffee Cantata (No 211), The Wedding Cantata (No 202), Phoebus and Pan (No 201) and the Hunt Cantata (No 208) w...

Three Extraordinary Journeys was commissioned to mark the centenary of the death of the famous author Jules Verne. Based on three novels from his Voyages Extraordinaires series of travel stories, the...

Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece but has been designed specifically for...

Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece but has been designed specifically for...

Paul and Barry Ryan were identical twin sons of 1950's pop singer Marion Ryan and were born on 24th October 1948. They were groomed for stardom and had started singing as a duo before their fifteenth...

Paul and Barry Ryan were identical twin sons of 1950's pop singer Marion Ryan and were born on 24th October 1948. They were groomed for stardom and had started singing as a duo before their fifteenth...

The Battell was written during the late 14th Century when England was in a mood of national celebration after victory over the Spanish and French Armadas. The movement which Byrd called Marche Before...

The Battell was written during the late 14th Century when England was in a mood of national celebration after victory over the Spanish and French Armadas. The movement which Byrd called Marche Before...

Dutch composer, artist and poet Adriaen Valerius is mostly remembered today for his collection of 79 songs for voice and lute or cittern, published posthumously in 1626. Philip Sparke has taken one me...

Dutch composer, artist and poet Adriaen Valerius is mostly remembered today for his collection of 79 songs for voice and lute or cittern, published posthumously in 1626. Philip Sparke has taken one me...

Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918) is mostly remembered for the marvellous melodies of his hymn tunes, such as Jerusalem and Repton. The latter first appeared in Parry's oratorio Judith and was adapted as a...

This timeless melody by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612), is now chiefly remembered because of its inclusion in J S Bach's St. Matthew Passion , (hence its title) where it is treated to a variety of rich...

This timeless melody by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612), is now chiefly remembered because of its inclusion in J S Bach's St. Matthew Passion , (hence its title) where it is treated to a variety of rich...

Dances and Alleluias was commissioned by the British Federation of Brass Bands for the inaugural English National Brass Band Championships, held in the Lyric Theatre at The Lowry, Salford Quays, on Ju...