Par SPARKE PHILIP. Philip Sparke a composé cette oeuvre à l’occasion du 40e anniversaire de l’Orchestre d’Harmonie Izumiotsu City Band d’Osaka au Japon. La création a eu lieu le 19 novembre 2006 par la formation dédicataire sous la direction de Kazuyoshi Uemura. La composition débute avec un majestueux Lento, basé sur une fanfare d’ouverture, exposée par les trompettes. S’ensuit un Vivace virevoltant, qui reprend le thème initial sur un ostinato rythmique. Un changement de tonalité introduit la très ample ligne mélodique du trio, avant de reprendre le thème premier. Cette ultime reprise annonce la réexposition de la fanfare d’ouverture qui clôt l’oeuvre avec brio. / Niveau : 4 / Ouverture / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

In â??Land of Legendsâ?? German composer Andreas Ludwig (whatâ??s in a name) Schulte takes you along to the fictional world of legends myths and fairy tales. The introduction to the first part (The Castle) describes the majestic contours of the sceneof action. Its instrumentation (horns) immediately makes you imagine being in Medieval spheres. The addition of trenchant copper instruments even gives the part a heroic tinge. After entering through the gate a lot of hustle and bustle appearsto be going on in the courtyard. Pages squires and soldiers are busy attending to their arms. Beer is being brewed flax is being spun cattle are being tended and some craftsmen from neighbouring villages are busily at work. In the upperchamber of the round tower lives an old man (The Old Wizard). He hardly ever comes out and nobody knows exactly what he is doing. It is said that he is engaged in wizardry and magic. It is all very mysterious. There are also festivities some ofthem sober others exuberant. The wedding in the third part is celebrated in a grand manner. With a flourish of trumpets the bride makes her entrance at the hand of her father. Afterwards at the party there is dancing to the music played byminstrels and of course a plentiful banquet follows.