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Partita [Sparke] 1989


Partita was written in 1989 to a commission from Eikanger/Bjørsvik Musikklag (Norway) who were European Champions at the time.

There are three movements.

  1. The first movement is almost a miniature concerto for band. It opens with a relentless quaver passage in the basses, which builds until the whole band is involved. Horns and baritones are first to take centre-stage in close harmony and the euphoniums and basses follow them. These forces combine to introduce the cornets that have a 10-part fanfare to themselves before the trombones interrupt. The opening quaver figure returns, somewhat ominously, and, after the full band recalls previous material, brings the movement to a close.

  2. Starts with a cornet solo over a pulsating accompaniment after which the band builds to a noble tune on the trombones. The full band takes over and brings back the opening cornet tune with which the soloist, with the aid of a euphonium counter-melody, quietly ends the movement, leading directly into:

  3. A sparkling vivo, which opens with the fanfare-like figures throughout the band until a solo cornet, emerges with an acrobatic tune. The whole band takes this up until horns; baritones and trombones introduce an energetic second subject, which leads to a full band climax in the form of a jubilant chorale. This died away to reintroduce the opening fanfare against a new theme from the trombones, which eventually leads back to a recapitulation. We are then thrown headlong into a 12/8 presto, which hurtles to a coda, which recalls the opening themes.

Composer: Philip Sparke
Type: Test Piece


Date Contest Winner
01 Jun 2014 Deutsche Brass Band Meisterschaft (1st Division) 3BA Concert Band
26 Nov 2011 Swiss National Championships (First Division) Regional Brass Band Bern
20 Jun 2009 West of England Bandsmen's Festival (Championship Section) Camborne Town
12 Oct 2008 Tasmanian Band Championships (A Grade Brass) Glenorchy City Concert Brass
04 Nov 2007 Pontins (Championship Section) Powerfuel Hatfield Colliery
29 Oct 2005 NIBA Championship of Ireland (Championship Brass) Laganvale
2003 Norwegian National Championships Qualifying Contest (Elite Division) Jaren Hornmusikkforening
15 Sep 2002 NSW State Championships (A Grade) Waratah Brass - Newcastle
10 Nov 2001 Reading Contest (Championship Section) Redbridge Brass
Jun 2000 French Open (Elite Division) Brassband de Waldsang
09 May 1998 British Open Spring Festival (Grand Shield) Flowers
01 Feb 1998 Durham League Contest (Section A) Fishburn Band
30 Apr 1994 West of England Area (Championship Section) Flowers Band
20 Mar 1994 North of England Area (Championship Section) Ever Ready
19 Mar 1994 Welsh Area (Championship Section) Cory
13 Mar 1994 North West Area (Championship Section) BNFL Leyland Band
13 Mar 1994 London and Southern Counties (Championship Section) Regent Brass
06 Mar 1994 CISWO Yorkshire (Championship Section) Avesta Sheffield
05 Mar 1994 Midlands Area (Championship Section) William Davis Construction Group
27 Feb 1994 Yorkshire Area (Championship Section) Yorkshire Building Society Hammonds
27 Feb 1994 Scottish Championship (Championship Section) CWS (Glasgow)
05 Feb 1994 CISWO Nottinghamshire (Championship Section) Thoresby Colliery
22 May 1993 SEWBBA (Ebbw Vale) Contest (Championship Section) BTM
16 Oct 1988 Tasmanian Band Championships (C Grade Brass) Northern Suburbs




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