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Rameau’s Entrée de Polimnie Available Now

We are very proud to present another new work available for purchase here at OBP. Entrée de Polimnie is taken from Jean-Philippe Rameau’s opera, Les Boreades, and is a sublime opening number for any occasion. Take a look at our popular YouTube clip to get a taste of this Baroque masterpiece.

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Leiston Suite Available Now

It’s our first new piece in the catalogue for 2021, Leiston Suite by Imogen Holst was recorded by Onyx Brass in 2018 and now is available to purchase from OBP. In five movements, it is suitable to be performed in a number of different orchestrations. Originally scored for pairs of trumpets and trombones, OBP have added alternative parts for Horn in F and Trumpets in C and Imogen Holst created an extra movement making it suitable also for bass trombone or tuba to take the bottom line.

We are honoured to be able to bring you this piece of composing history exclusively on Onyx Brass Publishing and as always it’s available to buy in hard copy or downloadable form. Follow the links below.

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Onyx Noir takes centre stage

Onyx Brass perform Song for Rosie at Eton College

This week sees us highlighting the two pieces we currently have in the catalogue from Onyx Noir, For Rosie and Inevitable Outcome. Contrasting in style with Rebello’s urban groove to Nightingale’s sumptuous melodies, both have already become best sellers on OBP, and firm favourites on the concert platform. Now this week is your chance to get them at a 10% reduction too.

Looking forward also later in the year to having two more jazz numbers from Onyx Noir added to our current offering with The Mighty Pencil by Trish Clowes, and Firebox by Colin Skinner.

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Two Baroque Masterpieces

For this week our two featured pieces are gems of the baroque from arguably the two most accomplished composers of the era.

First, is Eternal Source of Light Divine by Handel. Arranged by David Gordon Shute, it is taken from the Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne and originally for a counter tenor and trumpet, it lends itself perfectly as a feature for the two trumpet players in your quintet. Recently it was made more famous by being performed at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.

Second is the Fugue in G major BWV 541 by Bach. Written c. 1712-1717 and arranged with panache by James Maynard, this is a tour de force for any quintet that’s guaranteed to captivate your audience with its sparkling contrapunctal lines and technical prowess.

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Introducing Dave Powell

This week our spotlight falls onto two pieces that have been arranged for us by tuba player, organist, composer, and good friend of the group, Dave Powell. A former member of the ground-breaking jazz band/collective Loose Tubes, Dave has also composed for Onyx Brass, most notably the large scale Symbols at your Door that is on the recording, Onyx Noir.

For his two arrangements though we fall back to more traditional styles and draw on his experience as a keyboard player.

First, is the ebullient transcription of William Byrd’s set of variations on Sellinger’s Round. Originally included in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, Dave Transcription is a perfect piece to explore counterpoint for all intermediate or advanced quintets.

Second, is the sublime and ultimately uplifting chorale prelude by JS Bach, Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland. In what is an exercise in holding back the full glory of this piece until the very end, Nun komm has become one of our most popular works to perform. This arrangement uses each instrument perfectly to enhance the whole and when we presented our 25th Birthday Concert, this piece was chosen by three out of five us as our individual favourite to perform!