Voyage au Centre de la Terre-This composition was based on the world-famous novel by the French author Jules Verne. This novel describes the attempt to reach the centre of the earth. The descent of the crater of the volcano called Snaeffels situated in Iceland marks thebeginning of this voyage to the sublunary world. The German geologist professor Lidenbrock is accompanied on this trip by his nephew Axel and an Icelandic guide named Hans. The last mentioned will be helpful in many occasions. Dark colors & mist The composer tried in this single work to give a musical expression to various significant moments from this novel. In the introduction he sketches an image of the dismal ambience on the island by using dark colors. Risingfragments of mist reveal the flanks of the monumental mountain Scataris. The composer tries to catch this image in a majestic and broad chorale. Away from Iceland Subsequently the ostinato rhythmicity and virtuosity representthe hectic descent of the crater of the volcano. The party descends ever more and more and travels south away from Iceland. On the way they see all kinds of rock formations fossils and minerals. At a depth of thirty hours walking distance atabout 150 kilometers below the surface they reach a sub terrestrial sea which is called the Lidenbrock sea. Genuine eruption of sounds Strange electric manifestations and unpredictable weather conditions accompany thissingular phenomenon. An orchestral tutti-episode expresses this impression musically. On a make-shift raft the party continues its voyage heading to the south coast of this huge sea. Once ashore an enormous rock obstructs the passage. The blowingup of this obstacle unleashes a genuine eruption of sounds in the orchestration. Spat out by the volcano But the explosion has an unforeseen side effect. The sea - travelers and raft included - is sucked upwards into a dark hole.Again our heroes are accompanied on their involuntary voyage while left to fend for themselves by an ever increasing ostinato rhythmicity. Before an irruption can destroy the raft the threesome manages to escape and climb up through acave towards the daylight. They seem to be spat out by the Stromboli volcano on the island of Sicily far from home. The composition ends with triumphant sounds that represent the scientific triumph of these adventurers.

The tradition of the Christmas tree in Western Europe dates back to a time long before any Christianization had taken place. During the severely cold winter nights so it was believed evil spirits tried to 'kill' nature. Needle-leaved trees were the only ones which kept their green colour throughout the year and therefore became symbols of immortality. These 'living' trees said to be the work of benign spirits were brought into people's houses to ward off evil life-threatening powers. In the 14th century people first started to decorate Christmas trees. It was a pagan custom originated by the inhabitants of Alsace. This custom was taken over by the Church inthe course of the 15th and 16th century. At first the decoration consisted mainly of edibles such as apples and wafers but later small presents were added. Legend has it that the reformer Martin Luther was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree with candles. The flickering candle flames were meant to create the image of a starry sky in which Christ's apparition could be recognized. The German organ-player Ernst Anschütz from Leipzig was the first person to notate the song 'O Tannenbaum' the melody being a well-known folk song. Next to 'Stille Nacht' 'O Tannenbaum' is the most famous German Christmas song now known throughout the world. In the United States of America the melody of 'O Tannenbaum' has even been used in four States (among which the State of Maryland) for their State song. In David Well's arrangement the song is first heard as many of us know it. After this introduction however it is transformed into a solid rock version and the beat has been changed. In the second part the familiar three-four time is back but here the rhythm is different from the original. After the richly ornamented rock beat the basic theme can be heard once again and the composition is concluded in a festive manner.

It is true that tastes differ. Coffee has known a long history : it has been drunk since the 17th century. On one hand people drink coffee for relaxation on the other hand it is drunk to ward off tiredness or sleepiness. ‘Strong Coffee’ composed by Ron Gilmore works both ways. There will be people who will be able to relax during ‘Strong Coffee’ whereas others will experience it as a real boost. Is it a bit too strong after all such a funky Soul Beat? Then adding a little milk might help. As said before tastes differ!

With its Latin title translated as “onward and upward” this brief yet energetic overture for second-year players captures the spirit of adventure found in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1841 poem of the same name. The energetic pulse and powerful melodies will engage the imagination of your young players. Dur: 2:20

Stephen Sondheim's music and lyrics stand as milestones in the world of American Musical Theater. He won Tony Awards for Best Score for a Musical for Passion Into the Woods Sweeney Todd A Little Night Music Follies and Company. All of these shows won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award as did Pacific Overtures and Sunday in the Park with George the latter also receiving the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1985. Now for the first time some of his best-loved songs from acclaimed shows are included in a 25-minute choral medley a by Mac Huff. Featuring nine songs that are crafted into three distinct sections this ground-breaking medley provides groups with outstandingchoral treatments of these unique and compelling songs. Available for SATB and SAB voices both concert and show choirs alike can now experience and celebrate the creative artistry of Stephen Sondheim. Songs include: Comedy Tonight Into the Woods Putting It Together Not While I'm Around Losing My Mind Send In the Clowns Company The Little Things You Do Together Being Alive.

Winner of the 2009 Academy Award® for Best Picture Best Original Score and numerous other awards this movie took the country by storm. The driving soundtrack of A.R. Rahman played a major part in bringing this powerful anduplifting story to the silver screen. A terrific setting for band! Includes: Jai Ho; O Saya; Aaj Ki Raat; Dreams On Fire.

The highly acclaimed Broadway musical Hamilton has taken the country by storm and already garnered a number of awards including a Grammy Award for the soundtrack and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Featuring a masterful blend of hip-hop and R&B here is the show-stopping My Shot in a terrific arrangement for band that can be performed with or without the optional rap.

This three-part fantasy opens with a brisk light style. The piece moves quickly into a lyrical treatment of Shenandoah. A restatement of the opening motif leads into a slower section in which the original theme is presented both backward and forward in a beautiful harmonic setting. A final section utilizes additional melodic variations and a chorale setting under a woodwind ostinato before coming to a dynamic conclusion. An ideal festival piece!

In the course of the two centuries following the death of Henry Purcell in 1695 no British composer of any statue was apparent. Consequently the break-through of Edward Elgar (1857-1934) as an internationally known and respected composer at the end of the last century was of considerable importance. As a composer Elgar was largely self-taught and he looked towards the continent for his inspiration. He is without doubt on par with his contemporaries such as the somewhat younger Richard Strauss. The Belgian composer Jan Van der Roost is a genuine admirer of Elgar?s music and on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the composer?s death in 1984 he composed the ?CeremonialMarch?. Van der Roost was inspired by the most famous and frequently played works from Elgar?s catalogue of works the characteristic ?Pomp and Circumstances? marches and decided to add his own sixth march to the existing collection.

from Ben Hur-Le Hongrois Miklós Rózsa (1907-1995) fut un des derniers compositeurs de l?âge d?or hollywoodien. Auteur de plus de cent musiques de films il fut ?oscarisé? à trois reprises pour les bandes originales des films La Maison du Docteur Edwardes (1945) Othello (1947) et enfin Ben Hur (1959) le péplum du cinéaste William Wyler (né à Mulhouse en Alsace). Ben Hur est le film de tous les superlatifs : l?un des plus grands budgets jamais alloué pour un film les décors les plus majestueux 11 Oscars et cette scène incroyable une course de chars qui dure environ 30 minutes et qui exigea à elle seule quatre mois de préparation et trois mois de tournage.The Parade of the Charioteers est le titre de la musique illustrant ce grand moment de cinéma. L?arrangement d?Ed Keeley est aussi monumental que la scène du film !

Par CURNOW PAUL. Have your Drummers been patiently (or impatiently) standing at the back of the band while you rehearsed this espressivo piece? Reward their equanimity with this fiery and percussive addition to Paul Curnow’s impressive and growing catalog of works for Concert Band. This enticing new composition lies well within the command of a solid Grade 2 band while bringing the smoldering energy of Latin music to your concert stage. Written as a celebration of cultural diversity and infused with easy syncopation and lots of interweaving rhythm, there is certain to be a special place for FIESTA DE SAN PEDRO on your next concert, and in cross-cultural teaching. Spicy hot! / Niveau : 2 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par WILLIAMS JOHN. John Williams (8 février 1932) a composé certaines des musiques de film les plus populaires, reconnaissables et acclamées par la critique de l?histoire du cinéma. Williams a remporté 25 Grammy Awards, cinq Oscars, sept British Academy Film Awards et quatre Golden Globe Awards. Avec 53 nominations aux Oscars, il est le deuxième individu le plus nominé, après Walt Disney. Ses compositions sont considérées comme la quintessence de la musique de film et il est considéré comme l?un des plus grands compositeurs de l?histoire du cinéma. Son travail a influencé de nombreux autres compositeurs de musique de film, populaire et classique contemporaine. En 2005, l?American Film Institute a sélectionné la partition de Williams pour Star Wars de 1977 comme la plus grande musique de film de tous les temps. Dans cet arrangement récemment révisé de 1986, l?arrangeur Johan de Meij a utilisé des thèmes Star Wars ? A New Hope en The Empire Strikes Back. / Date parution : 2023-10-31/ Répertoire / Concert Band/Harmonie

Have your Drummers been patiently (or impatiently) standing at the back of the band while you rehearsed this espressivo piece? Reward their equanimity with this fiery and percussive addition to Paul Curnow’s impressive and growing catalog of works for Concert Band. This enticing new composition lies well within the command of a solid Grade 2 band while bringing the smoldering energy of Latin music to your concert stage. Written as a celebration of cultural diversity and infused with easy syncopation and lots of interweaving rhythm there is certain to be a special place for FIESTA DE SAN PEDRO on your next concert and in cross-cultural teaching.Spicy hot!