‘Bi-Millennial Celebration’ has been composed to honour the 2000th anniversary of the founding of the city of Nijmegen. This work consists of three continuous movements. The first movement depicts the arrival of the Romans and the founding of Nijmegen. The second movement portrays the rustic and idyllic countryside surrounding the city. A musical celebration from these areas to the city of Nijmegen comes to life in the third movement. In this festive march one can easily distinguish the traditional Dutch anniversarysong ‘Lang zal ze leven’.

‘Bi-Millennial Celebration’ has been composed to honour the 2000th anniversary of the founding of the city of Nijmegen. This work consists of three continuous movements. The first movement depicts the arrival of the Romans and the founding of Nijmegen. The second movement portrays the rustic and idyllic countryside surrounding the city. A musical celebration from these areas to the city of Nijmegen comes to life in the third movement. In this festive march one can easily distinguish the traditional Dutch anniversarysong ‘Lang zal ze leven’.

Carl Wittrock's wide interest in global folk-music resulted in this concert-piece based on original African rhythms. Obviously the percussion section has a conspicious role to play but the band too may indulge itself in moments of thoroughly delightful excitement. The introduction depicts the awakening of nature and develops into a dance. The (main) motif of this dance is from a dance entitled Apollo and comes from Gambia. Its accompaniment consists of an ostinato pattern by balaphon-master Maudo Susa. The quiet middle movement is based on the rhythm of the 'gigbo' : a traditional dance from Ghana. In the final movement -which also bears a slight resemblanceto a theme from 'The Lion King'- the so-called 'Kono' rhythm is used. The work is played most advantageously using djembes. Challenge and please your percussion section with 'The African Connection'. Carl Wittrock's brede interesse voor de wereldmuziek resulteerde in dit op originele Afrikaanse ritmes gebaseerde concertwerk. Het slagwerk speelt uiteraard een opvallende rol maar ook het orkest kan zich op een heerlijke manier uitleven. De inleiding schildert het ontwaken van de natuur welke overgaat in een dans. Het motief van deze dans (Apollo) is afkomstig uit Gambia. De begeleiding bestaat uit een ostinaatpatroon van de balafon-meester Maudo Susa. De basis van het rustige middendeel is gelegen in het ritme van de Gigbo een traditionele dans uit Ghana. Het laatste deel (met enige gelijkenis met The Lion King) maakt gebruik van het zogenaamde Kono ritme. Het werk komt het best tot zijn recht als er gebruik wordt gemaakt van djembes.Daag uw percussie sectie uit en doe ze een groot plezier met: The African Connection!

John Blanken has created a swinging arrangement of the famous Scottish traditional tune Scotland the Brave. The usual version with bagpipes is the best known and there is a similarity in Swingin’ Kilts owing to its long drone-like tones in the accompaniment. The theme has been rhythmically adapted but it is still easily recognisable. Swingin’ Kilts holds a challenge for every brass band. It makes demands in terms of timing and technique which give this work the bravura feel that will keep the audience as well as the musicians swinging in their seats.

Five Variations on the 'Brugg Song'-Kaleidoscope is a set of five variations of on the ‘Brugger Lied’ (Brugg Song) which is the traditional song of the town of Brugg. The lyrics tell of the geography people and traditions of this charming and historic town which is situated in the north of Switzerland near to the German border about halfway between Basel and Zurich.Each variation is based on tiny extracts of the theme the whole piece therefore resembling the effect of a kaleidoscope which juxtaposes small fragments of colour in a constantly changing pattern.

During the eighteenth century a person called 'the Dance Master' made his appearance in Ireland. He was a travelling dance-teacher who moved from one village to another to teach the people there how to dance. They were often flamboyant personalities gorgeously dressed and holding a staff in one hand. In order to teach their pupils the difference between their right and left leg the dance master used to tie a small bunch of straw or hay to their leg and then would order them to either lift their 'hay-leg' or their 'straw-leg'. The dancing masters used to stay in one particular village for about six weeks (if they were not claimed by a neighbouringvillage) after which they continued their journey. Having a famous dance master gave a village a certain distinction and did not seldom lead to boasting and pride. Also on account of the popularity of Celtic music in general at the moment William Vean was inspired to writing 'The Irish Dance Master'. He 'teaches' you two dances the Reel and the Jig. In between these two dances there is a short breathing space during which a traditional Irish rhythm can be enjoyed.

Greek dishes are mouth-watering. The nation's traditional dish could not be omitted from the menu. And the Greek dishes are still affordable. The Sirtaki is the musical accompaniment during your culinary trip to Greece.

Fanitullen is a lively beautiful ‘Sl?tt’ i.e. an old Norwegian melody which is played on a traditional ‘Hardingfele’ (Hardanger fiddle).Because of its violent rhythm and exciting character playing a Fanitullen for a long time was considered improper. It was believed that a person playing this melody would come under the influence of the devil. Therefore Fanitullen could be regarded as a kind of Rock’n Roll from the 18th century.Tom Brevik’s adaptation is based on a composition for piano by Ole Olsen (1850-1927) Fanitullen is een levendige mooie ‘Sl?tt’ een oude Noorse melodie die gespeeld word op een traditionele ‘Hardingfele’ (Hardanger viool).Door de heftigeritmiek en het opzwepende karakter werd het spelen van een Fanitullen gedurende lange tijd als niet kies beschouwd. Er zouden invloeden van de duivel in schuilen. Fanitullen zou daarom misschien wel als een soort Rock’n Roll van de 18e eeuw gezien kunnen worden.De bewerking van Tom Brevik is gebaseerd op een compositie voor piano van Ole Olsen (1850-1927)

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) wrote the lyrics of 'There is a land of pure delight' and is known as the 'Father of English Hymnody'. Watts was for the English hymn as Ambrose was for the medieval Latin hymn and what Martin Luther was for the German chorale. He wrote about 750 songs and some of them survide the ravahes of time. (Joy To The World When I survey the wondrous cross I sing the Mighty Power of God) 'There is a Land of Pure Delight' is usually in English-speaking areas sung on Luther Orlando Emerson's melody ('Ascription'). Here is used a traditional English melody ('Mendip'). There is a land of pure delight Wheresaints immortal Reign. Infinite day excludes the night And pleasures banish pain.

This composition by Dizzy Stratford symbolises the birth of the new Russia in the time of Mikhail Gorbachev with its new openness in public affairs (glasnost) accompanied by political and economic reform (perestroika). Glasnost is a work offering a modern vision of Russian music. Dizzy Stratford has chosen to combine the national hymn of the Soviet Union with two traditional melodies which with a steady energetic rhythm portray the wind of change and freedom in Russian society.