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Pulcinella : for Euphonium and Concert Band

Pulcinella was commissioned by the Taiwanese euphonium player Tzu-Hsiang Lin. Lin is a renowned soloist and teacher and a Besson Euphonium Artist. He teaches euphonium at Taipei National University of the Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts, Shih Chien University and National Kaohsiung Normal University. Lin gave the premiere of Pulcinella in both its concert band and brass band versions in January 2021. Pulcinella continues Sparke’s series of euphonium solos named after characters of the Italian commedia dell’arte and opens with a long and expressive minor melody for the soloist over a brooding accompaniment. This is taken up briefly by the full band and is extended by the soloist after a change of key. A cadenza, accompanied by fragments of the main melody leads to a complete change of mood, tempo and tonality, introducing a Vivo section starting with a perky syncopated tune for the soloist. The band then uses elements of this new tune to introduce a change of key, where the soloist introduces a more lyrical second subject over a pulsing accompaniment. The band then takes this up and changes key to reintroduce the original Vivo melody, which leads to a short and acrobatic coda to bring the work to a spectacular close.

Pulcinella : for Euphonium and Concert Band

Pulcinella was commissioned by the Taiwanese euphonium player Tzu-Hsiang Lin. Lin is a renowned soloist and teacher and a Besson Euphonium Artist. He teaches euphonium at Taipei National University of the Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts, Shih Chien University and National Kaohsiung Normal University. Lin gave the premiere of Pulcinella in both its concert band and brass band versions in January 2021. Pulcinella continues Sparke’s series of euphonium solos named after characters of the Italian commedia dell’arte and opens with a long and expressive minor melody for the soloist over a brooding accompaniment. This is taken up briefly by the full band and is extended by the soloist after a change of key. A cadenza, accompanied by fragments of the main melody leads to a complete change of mood, tempo and tonality, introducing a Vivo section starting with a perky syncopated tune for the soloist. The band then uses elements of this new tune to introduce a change of key, where the soloist introduces a more lyrical second subject over a pulsing accompaniment. The band then takes this up and changes key to reintroduce the original Vivo melody, which leads to a short and acrobatic coda to bring the work to a spectacular close.

Moon Song, Sun Dance

MOON SONG, SUN DANCE was scored originally for flugel horn and brass band. The transcription for piano accompaniment has been written by the composer. The work is in two contrasting movements, which can be performed separately or together.

Euphonium Concerto No 2 : for Steven Mead

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. This version for euphonium and piano is sure to become a concert classic.

Flowerdale : for Soprano Cornet or Piccolo Trumpet and Piano

The seven-movement suite for brass band Hymn of the Highlands was commissioned by David King and the Yorkshire Building Society Band for first performance at the 2002 European Brass Band Championships Gala Concert in Brussels.David King’s imaginative programming had already led to the writing of three such ‘concept’ pieces for brass band - Cry of the Celts, Voice of the Vikings and Windows of the World. The idea was to produce an extended and themed piece, which can act as a half concert to feature a band’s soloists. One of the solo movements is Flowerdale, written for arguably the greatest soprano cornet player of all time, the legendary PeterRoberts.This solo is also available with brass band accompaniment, edition no. AMP 049.

Glorioso! : Overture for Band

Glorioso! : Overture for Band

Play Your Part (Flute)

This series aims to present the significant concert band works of Philip Sparke in a format that enables any player to study their music whether or not they get the chance to play these pieces with their own band.

Tuba Concerto : Tuba & Piano

When writing his tuba concerto, Philip Sparke wanted to create a work which explored the many aspects of the instrument’s technical and vocal qualities but without resorting to caricature. The result is a concerto in two joined movements, which can both be programmed individually, that contains both many lyrical lines together with stunning virtuosic passages. An outstanding concerto that tuba players and brass band audiences alike will enjoy and applaud.

Pulcinella : for Euphonium and Brass Band

Pulcinella : for Euphonium and Brass Band

Pentangle : Concerto Grosso for Brass Quintet and Concert Band

Pentangle : Concerto Grosso for Brass Quintet and Concert Band

Guardians of the Waves

Guardians of the Waves was commissioned by the Japan Coast Guard Band to celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2018. They gave the premiere as part of a 30th anniversary concert on November 8th that year. Set in traditionalmarch form, Guardians of the Waves opens with a short introduction, which leads to the main theme, played initially by the brass and then repeated with a florid woodwind descant. The theme is extended and morphs into asecond theme, first played tutti and then quietly repeated by bassoon, tenor sax and euphonium. This leads to a conventional ‘bass strain’, played twice with varying accompaniments. A quieter trio section follows, delicatelyscored and featuring the tenor instruments of the band. Taken up by the full band, this leads back to a recall of the introduction and a return to the main two themes, which lead to a triumphal close.

Guardians of the Waves

Guardians of the Waves was commissioned by the Japan Coast Guard Band to celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2018. They gave the premiere as part of a 30th anniversary concert on November 8th that year. Set in traditionalmarch form, Guardians of the Waves opens with a short introduction, which leads to the main theme, played initially by the brass and then repeated with a florid woodwind descant. The theme is extended and morphs into asecond theme, first played tutti and then quietly repeated by bassoon, tenor sax and euphonium. This leads to a conventional ‘bass strain’, played twice with varying accompaniments. A quieter trio section follows, delicatelyscored and featuring the tenor instruments of the band. Taken up by the full band, this leads back to a recall of the introduction and a return to the main two themes, which lead to a triumphal close.

White Light : for Oboe and Piano

White Light was commissioned by Fumiko Teramoto, oboist with the Musashino Grand Concert Band from Tokyo, Japan. The request was for a moderately slow piece, of intermediate difficulty, which included White in the title, as this is her lucky colour. Composer Philip Sparke decided to use this suggestion to write a piece that was bright and light in terms of harmony and colour, with much use of simple major and minor chords and an emphasis on pure and transparent timbres. He was also keen to capture the essence and history of the oboe as a solo instrument - the piece is pastoral in character and often almost baroque in style. Also available for oboe and concert band (AMP317-010/140).

The Last Flower of Autumn : for Male Voice Choir and Concert Band

The Green Hills of Tyrol : Air Varié for Euphonium and Brass Band

The Last Flower of Autumn : for Male Voice Choir and Concert Band

The Last Flower of Autumn : for Male Voice Choir and Concert Band

The Green Hills of Tyrol : Air Varié for Euphonium and Brass Band

The Greatest Show (From 'The Greatest Showman') (Arr. Sparke) (Score/Parts)

The Greatest Showman is definitely one of the most popular movie musicals of recent years. The film's stunning lead performance by Hugh Jackman and its touching score have made this picture an instant classic. The mind-blowing theme song “The Greatest Show” is here arranged for Concert Band by Philip Sparke .

A Road Less Travelled By

A Road Less Travelled By was commissioned by Palangos Orkestras for the Championship Section of the 2020 European Brass Band Championships held in Palanga, Lithuania. The title alludes to a poem by American author, Robert Frost, which appeared in his 1916 collection, Mountain Intervals. In common with most of the composer’s larger works, the piece is not programmatic, but purely abstract. The choice of title shares Sparke’s view of how composers can often develop. There can be no ‘destination’ in a composer’s career, but rather a continuing journey to an unknown place. Set in three movements, which play without a break, A Road Less Travelled By opens with a Moto Perpetuo firmly rooted in classical language, form and syntax. A continuous river of semiquavers, veering from melody to accompaniment and back again, adds drive, energy and motion. The second movement, Nocturne, is in the form of a free fantasia; solos for vibraphone, flugel horn and euphonium set the stage for a central cornet solo, quietly echoed by the full band. A triumphal climax is reached before the movement dissolves into a Scherzo Finale. A brief coda based on earlier material drives the piece to a close.

The Planetarium

The Planetarium was commissioned by CMV Advendo Franeker to celebrate their 100th Anniversary in 2022. The inspiration for the work is the world-famous Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium in the orchestra’s home town of Franeker in the Netherlands. In this continuous seven-movement work, the composer pictures the sun as well as the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Also featured throughout the work is a brief quotation from the chorale ‘Psalm 150’. A work that rises above the mundane!

A Little Klezmer Suite

A Little Klezmer Suite was commissioned by Rushton Park High School to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their band programme. They gave the premiere in a virtual online concert in October 2020. Klezmer music originated inthe ‘shtetl’ (villages) and the ghettos of Eastern Europe, where itinerant Jewish troubadours, known as ‘klezmorim’, had performed at celebrations, particularly weddings, since the early Middle Ages. 'Klezmer' is a Yiddish termcombining the Hebrew words ‘kley’ (instrument) and ‘zemer’ (song). The roots of the style are found in secular melodies, popular dances, Jewish ‘hazanut’ (cantorial music) and also the ‘nigunim’, the wordless melodies intoned bythe ‘Hasidim’ (orthodox Jews). The melodies used in the four movements of A Little Klezmer Suite have traditionally been used in Jewish wedding ceremonies and celebrations.