‘God rest ye merry Gentlemen’ is an ancient English carol. It was first published in 1833 but it can be traced as far back as the 15th century which makes it one of the oldest carols known. ‘God rest ye merry’ is a Middle English salutation. In this manner people wished one another greatness and might. In modern English the first line of this carol would read ‘May God keep you mighty gentlemen’. Andrew R. Mackereth has not kept to the original words in his up-tempo arrangement of the carol. It is still clearly recognizable but the arranger has taken a good many liberties. Sometimes a particular note is held longer at times motifs follow oneanother in various parts. If you listen carefully you may even be able to detect a motif from another well-known song.

Commissioned by the Oregon Symphonic Band in Portland Bridge of the Gods is a dramatic three-movement symphonic poem presenting the colorful legend told by the Native American Klickitatst about the origins of the volcanicmountains of the Cascade range and legendary bridge. The first movement “Saghalie” pays tribute to the powerful chief of all gods and is based on a majestic fanfare theme. The 2nd movement captures the beauty of themaiden “Loowit” with haunting flute and english horns solos accompanied by soft chanting voices. The final movement “Tanmahawis” utilizes stark clusters jagged melodic fragments and rhythmic percussiveenergy as it depicts the destruction of the mighty bridge. Dur: 8:50Recorded by the Oregon Symphonic Band – Michael Burch-Pesses conductor

In Greek mythology Boreas is the God of the North Wind. When thinking of the north wind we particularly think of the bleak wind coming from the freezing cold north but in Homers' work we see a more varied picture. As shown in the following two stories Boreas often does play the role of a storm wind that blows forth heavy dark clouds while whipping up the dark waves of the tempestuous sea to mountainous heights. When the stake of the fallen Patroclos refuses to burn Achilles begs for some wind. When Iris the swift messenger of the Gods asks the winds for assistance they raise themselves up with tremendous roaring and rush to Troy. Upon theirarrival they blow the divine fire of Patroclos' stake far up into the sky. When Troy was destroyed the Greeks returned home. After many wanderings Odysseus however ends up with the beautiful nymph Calypso who keeps him as a prisoner. As ordered by Zeus Calypso frees him and sends him off on a handmade wooden raft. At sea Odysseus is threatened by the aggressive sea god Poseidon who stirs up the winds and thrashes the waves with his trident. The goddess Athena stems the violence of all the winds except for the north wind and thus it is Boreas who sends Odysseus to the land of the hospitable Phaiakes. Jan Bosveld composed Boreas for OLTO a music association in Loenen The Netherlands for which he had served as conductor for many years. Turbulent movement in both tempo and dynamics characterize this composition. The result is a whirling piece that races by in a positive manner. Boreas is in de Griekse mythologie de god van de noordenwind. Bij noordenwind denken wij vooral aan de gure wind uit het ijskoude noorden bij Homerus echter zien we een meer gevariëerd beeld. Natuurlijk speelt Boreas zoals uit de twee onderstaande verhalen blijkt meestal de rol van de stormwind die de zware zwarte wolken voor zich uit blaast en de donkere golven van de onstuimige zee torenhoog opzwiept.

The legend of Seolmundae Halmang creator of Jeju-Cette oeuvre est en partie fondée sur une chanson folklorique d?une île proche de la Corée du Sud. La composition débute avec un motif lent et dramatique dans un style solennel. Puis la mélodie se fait entendre et se développe en un passage puissant et émouvant. Présenté par les percussions soutenues d?une note pédale interprétée par les instruments graves le rythme de la chanson s?intensifie pour aboutir à une apothéose qui donne naissance à un nouveau thème mélodique. Une oeuvre éclatante à la palette sonore magnifiquement développée.

O Take My Hand Dear Father-This celebrated song is based on a poem by Julie Hausmann (1826-1901) a Latvian teacher who was probably blind. The text draws on her personal experience and unshakeable faith in God death and eternal life. The melody by Friedrich Silcher is written in a simple and delicate style but also draws on the grand romantic tradition of Wagner and Bruckner. This arrangement can also be performed with a mixed choir. The choir parts are in German.

David Well composed 'Frida's Whiskers' in commemoration of his own cat who met an untimely end. Frida (whose real name was 'Godefrida van Coopersburg thoe Nieuwenhuys') was a lively creature who led a playful and uncomplicated life. She used to sleep in her basket for hours but when she woke up she upset the entire house and its furnishing. Curtains were inspected from top to bottom and flower pots fell from window-sills just like that! Outside in the open air she was in her element. She used to frolic bouncing into the air. After such playful moods she would return to her basket tired but satisfied where being the cleanly cat that shewas she subjected her entire body whiskers included to a thorough wash.

For many years Enya has been selling as many records as pop goddesses like Madonna and Britney Spears. But it was the events of September 11 2001 that truly brought this Irish singer to the world stage with CNN broadcasting her ballad Only Time with the tragically dramatic images around the World Trade Center in New York. Ron has arranged this moving song in his own familiar creative way