Concert Band (SCORE+PARTS) SKU: HL.4007266
Composed by Philip Sparke. Anglo Music Concert Band. Concert. Hardcover. Duration 240 seconds. Anglo Music Press #032793. Published by Anglo Music Press (HL.4007266). UPC: 840126992021.
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 traditional march 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 a second 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, delicately scored and featuring the tenor instruments and 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.