Philip Sparke

Wind Sketches is a top quality concert work for wind band in three movements, inspired by the relationship between man and wind. Trade Winds, in the form of a march, is reminiscent of a shanty, conjur...

With Clouds Descending is a fantasy on the powerful Advent hymn Helmsley which is long associated with another Advent hymn - Wesley's Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending. The hymn tune is divided into...

Philip Sparke's third symphony, A Colour Symphony, was commissioned by 'sinfonischen blasorchester wehdel' conducted by Thomas Ratzek. In the five movements (white, yellow, blue, red and green) the c...

Philip Sparke's third symphony, A Colour Symphony, was commissioned by 'sinfonischen blasorchester wehdel' conducted by Thomas Ratzek. In the five movements (white, yellow, blue, red and green) the c...

In Memoriam: For the Fallen was commissioned by Bolsover District Council for the Bolsover Brass Summer School 2014. It is a setting for narrator and band of Laurence Binyon's (1869-1943) poem, For th...

Second to None is a perfectly suitable title for this work, though it actually refers to 'Nulli Secundus', the motto of the British Corps of Army Music, who gave the commission to Philip Sparke. The...

The Unknown Journey was commissioned by Kwansei Gakuin University Symphony Band which was established in 1954 and has grown to become one of the top college bands in Japan. The composer chose the titl...

The Unknown Journey was commissioned by Kwansei Gakuin University Symphony Band which was established in 1954 and has grown to become one of the top college bands in Japan. The composer chose the titl...

Prelude to a Pageant was commissioned by Woodley Concert Band to celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2014. Celebratory in nature, Prelude to a Pageant includes a famous musical link to The Reading Rot...

Three Washington Statues was commissioned by the United States Army Band 'Pershings Own', led by Colonel Thomas H. Palmatier. Washington D. C. contains some of the world's most iconic monuments, memor...

Three Washington Statues was commissioned by the United States Army Band 'Pershings Own', led by Colonel Thomas H. Palmatier. Washington D. C. contains some of the world's most iconic monuments, memor...

This work was commissioned by Dr. Robert Oertli from Möhlin, Switzerland, and is based on an earlier composition called Spirit of the Sequoia. The piece is inspired by how the human spirit can gain fr...

Reflections on an Old Japanese Folk Song is based on the tune Suiryo-Bushi, which comes from the shamisen tradition and opens with two contrasting statements of the melody followed by several variatio...

Highdays and Holidays was commissioned by the South Berks Concert Band to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2016. The band rehearses in the village of Mortimer, which has a long and fascinating histor...

Songs from Across the Water was commissioned by Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds - Phil Evans, Founder and Director. Phil Evans hails from the UK and served for 25 years in the Band of HM Royal Marines. N...

Three City Sketches' was commissioned for Soli Deo Gloria Alkmaar from the Netherlands. The work's three movements depict different aspects of the orchestra's hometown. This is an exciting and epic pi...

Quest'opera è suddivisa in tre movimenti che vengono eseguiti senza interruzioni. I due movimenti esterni sono pieni di energia e circondano una tenera sezione centrale con una delicata scrittura per...

Commissioned for the 'Musikpreis Grenchen 1990', a contest for new music in Switzerland, this attractive suite is in three movements which each pay tribute to the stage. OVERTURE is a brisk and lively...

An ideal opener for any concert, this sparkling overture opens with a majestic fanfare which is followed by a lively allegro. (Recorded on QPRM132D FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 1998, Massed Bands of the Royal Ai...

The variations are based on fragments of 'Der Heimetvogel', dating from the 19th century. The variations are: 1. Vivo e scherzando (a moto perpetuo); 2. Subito meno mosso (a macabre 12/8 march); 3. Le...

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 Garreg Wen (The White Rock) in Eif...

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...

Capriccio for Trombone was commissioned by Brett Baker, trombone soloist and member of the famous Black Dyke Band. It is a tribute to the late Mike Moor, close friend and colleague of both Brett and t...