The Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep IV better known as Achnaton was the second son and successor of Amenhotep III. He reigned the New Kingdom from 1353 until 1336 BC. Achnatons lack of interest in the economic well-being of Egypt ushered ina revolutionary period in Egyptian history. His harsh reign induced much suffering under the population. During this period when it was customary for a pharaoh to have many wives he had taken his cousin Nefertete to reign as queen at hisside. An elegant and very beautiful woman she used her influence to ease the turmoil caused by Achnaton. Combined with her grace her presence at public functions led to a greater popularity among her subjects than the pharaoh enjoyedhimself. Being mostly preoccupied with religious questions he declared that all the other gods did not exist. There was only one god the Aten and it was the sun itself. It was now necessary to change his name: ‘Amenhotep’ meaning ‘the god Amun is satisfied’ because he didnt want to be associated with Amun or any of the other deities. He renamed himself ‘Achnaton’ which means ‘servant of the Aten’ -- a much more appropriate title! In the sixth year of his reignAchnaton also moved the capital to a brand new city called Achet-Aton (‘the Horizon of the Aten’) which was where Tel el-Amarna stands today. He did this to further isolate himself from the ‘old’ religion since the previous capital Thebes was thecentre of worship of Amun. This new religion created an up rise among the population and high priests. In spite of Nefertetes influence the falling economy and religious conflict resulted in the decline of the Egyptian empire. Hoping toforget it ever happened people later tried to eradicate all traces of Achnaton and his successors rule by smashing their statues mutilating their mummies and ruining their relief carvings. From that moment on he was remembered as the‘heretic king’. This composition was partially funded by the ‘Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds’.

The Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep IV better known as Achnaton was the second son and successor of Amenhotep III. He reigned the New Kingdom from 1353 until 1336 BC. Achnatons lack of interest in the economic well-being of Egypt ushered ina revolutionary period in Egyptian history. His harsh reign induced much suffering under the population. During this period when it was customary for a pharaoh to have many wives he had taken his cousin Nefertete to reign as queen at hisside. An elegant and very beautiful woman she used her influence to ease the turmoil caused by Achnaton. Combined with her grace her presence at public functions led to a greater popularity among her subjects than the pharaoh enjoyedhimself. Being mostly preoccupied with religious questions he declared that all the other gods did not exist. There was only one god the Aten and it was the sun itself. It was now necessary to change his name: ‘Amenhotep’ meaning ‘the god Amun is satisfied’ because he didnt want to be associated with Amun or any of the other deities. He renamed himself ‘Achnaton’ which means ‘servant of the Aten’ -- a much more appropriate title! In the sixth year of his reignAchnaton also moved the capital to a brand new city called Achet-Aton (‘the Horizon of the Aten’) which was where Tel el-Amarna stands today. He did this to further isolate himself from the ‘old’ religion since the previous capital Thebes was thecentre of worship of Amun. This new religion created an up rise among the population and high priests. In spite of Nefertetes influence the falling economy and religious conflict resulted in the decline of the Egyptian empire. Hoping toforget it ever happened people later tried to eradicate all traces of Achnaton and his successors rule by smashing their statues mutilating their mummies and ruining their relief carvings. From that moment on he was remembered as the‘heretic king’. This composition was partially funded by the ‘Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds’.

The Rosegarden Of Light - String Sextet Parts-Gulistan-e Nur: The Rosegarden of Light for String Sextet and Youth Ensemble. Instrumentation: Professional String Sextet (2 Vlns 2 Vlas 1 Cello 1 Db). Youth/amateur ensemble (Interludes only): open instrumentation (5 treble alto bass parts (transpositions available) Keyboard). The Three Interludes are supplied separately. The sextet movements/Three Interludes can also be performed separately. I Bahar-e nastaran-bihag (Radio Piece) Interlude 1/ Introduction (Youth ensemble) Sextet Movement 1 (Professional) II - Shirin dokhtar-e maldar (Sweet Nomad Girl)Interlude 2 Sextet Movement 2 III - Watan Jan (Dear Homeland) Interlude 3 Sextet Movement 3 Duration: c.26 mins (complete) / c.16 mins (sextet movements only). On 11 December 2014 several young musicians from the Afghanistan National Institute of Music were performing at the Istiqlal School home to the French Cultural Centre in Kabul. The venue was targeted by a suicide bomber with devastating results leaving a number of students (and ANIM’s founder and Director Dr. Ahmad Sarmast) with severe injuries. Despite these most challenging of circumstances ANIM continues to provide an extraordinary learning environment for all its students regardless of gender ethnicity or social circumstances. They are committed to assuring musical rights rebuilding lives through music training future music educators establishing intercultural dialogue and to reviving and preserving Afghan Music. Gulistan-e Nur: The Rosegarden of Light is dedicated with great admiration to Dr. Ahmad Sarmast and to the students and staff of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul particularly remembering those who were injured in the 11 December attack. The work is also dedicated to Kevin Bishop and members of the pioneering ensemble Cuatro Puntos who are dedicated to global co-operation and

A collection of 5 short works in pop style which can be performed by any kind of compilation. The titles can be presented on the programme as separate works but the Universal Band Collection can also be performed as a complete suite. From a didactic point of view it is a suitable work to teach musicians something about the structure in music. For this purpose not only the big structure but also the small structure was kept very clear.Western Girl : A girl from the west of the USA rides her horse across the prairie dreaming of her future. The rough structure: introduction - theme in a blues scale - the same thing in a different instrumentation - finale.Just a ballad : A balladin pop style with a rough A-B-A form. First there is the introduction of the main theme (A) then follows a tenor melody in minor with a rhythmical reference to the main theme (B). Finally there is the main melody performed tutti with a different rhythm in the drums (A').Play the Game : An English saying meaning: play fairly. Playful music in up-tempo with a wink to China where almost all games are manufactured nowadays. Once again an A-B-A structure here.San Diego : A Mexican fugitive enjoys his freedom in America but also remembers his place of birth with melancholy. A sad minor melody with a straight trendy beat appears twice. The second time it has a slightly different instrumentation in which the muted trumpets represent the Mexican feeling.Final Dance : Eventually there is a dance with an introduction in renaissance style followed by a fast dance in rock style. All this composed in a classical song structure: introduction verse bridge chorus shortened verse bridge chorus chorus.