In 2006 Brabant will be celebrating it’s 900th anniversary. On May 13th 1106 the count Van Leuven was appointed duke of Brabant. This was the birth of the duchy of Brabant. For centuries this duchy situated in the heart of the Netherlands was the primary of the seventeen provinces in the Lowlands. Brabant formed with it’s capital cities Brussels Leuven Antwerp and ‘s-Hertogenbosch the focal point for politics culture and economy. The revolution against Spain (1566-1648) caused a fracture between the North and South. The old duchy was divided into a Dutch and Belgian part. Even though each had their own historical background the bond forged in the past was partially keptalive. To this day we still have a duke of Brabant. Brabantia Aeterna takes you on a musical journey through 900 years of Brabant history. A fascinating journey portraying war and peace love and grief prosperity and adversity development and deterioration. Listen to how monks chanted bells tolled and churches were built. Or take the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries with their bustling markets builders of cities or the bleating of countless sheep across the heather. The plague tribulations soldiers and political bickering in the following centuries. Hear how the industrialisation of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries provided prosperity for the region and how to this day the following saying still applies: ‘the road to Brabant leads to a warmer world’ Brabantia Aeterna was commissioned by the Brabantse Bond van Muziekverenigingen (Brabant Music Society) in honour of its fifth anniversary.

‘Panem et Circenses’ Bread and Games were essential for keeping the citizens of ancient Rome in check. While the bread was meant for the poorest among the Romans the Games were Popular Pastime Number One for everybody.There were different kinds of games such as chariot races (especially popular with female spectators) or wild-beast fights where lions tigers bulls or bears were set on one another or even on human beings. Most popular however were the Gladiator fights. In ‘Bread and Games’ William Vean depicts one of the many fights in the antique Colosseum. 1. Entrance of the Gladiators: By powerful bugle-calls the attention of the peoplewas asked for after which the Gladiators entered the Arena at the sound of heroic marching-music.2.Swordfight: We can hear that the fights were not mere child’s play in this part.On the contrary they were a matter of life and death and were fought accordingly.3.Mercy of the Emperor: Sometimes a wounded gladiator could be fortunate depending on the mercy of the audience. Waving one’s handkerchief meant mercy a turned-down thumb meant no pardon. The Emperor had the right to take the final decision but he usually complied with the wish of the majority of the public. 4.Lap of Honour: Gladiators were mainly selected among slaves convicted criminals or prisoners of war. Consequently winning was very important as it would mean fame honour and sometimes even wealth. A lap of honour therefore was the winner’s due reward.

The title and scope is not new but the message and the desire of the composer is clear. It is mainly that music can solve problems and can plead for peace in the whole world. Musically Peace for the World is a brief opening work with a fanfare-like opening followed by a melodious middle part and a end that refers to the opening.

The word ‘tsunami’ is of Japanese origin. When you look it up in a dictionary you will find that it means ‘a great sea wave produced by submarine earth movement or volcanic eruption’. A megatsunami is the superlative of this awesome expression of power that nature can create and has catastrophic consequences. When Carl Wittrock completed this composition not many such big earth movements had occurred but since then we have become all too familiar with the disastrous consequences which a tsunami may have. On the 26th of December 2004 a heavy seaquake took place near the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Tidal waves 10 meters in height ravaged the coastal regions ofmany countries for miles around. The tsunami took the lives of thousands of people and destroyed many villages and towns. There are more areas which run the risk of being struck by a tsunami such as the island of La Palma one of the Canary Islands. This island is based on oceanic crust at a fracture zone and as such is one of nature’s time bombs. The consequences of a natural calamity like a megatsunami are immense. In the case of La Palma the tidal wave will move in the direction of South America where it may reach 50 km inland destroying everything on its way. In his composition Wittrock describes an ordinary day which will have an unexpected ending. Right from the beginning there seems to be something in the air the music creating an oppressive atmosphere of impending disaster. Themes are interrupted broken off suddenly followed by silence suggesting the calm before the storm. Suddenly a short climax (glissandi in the trombone part) indicates the seaquake and the megatsunami is a fact. Hereafter follows a turbulent passage symbolising the huge rolling waves. After nature’s force has spent itself resignation sets in and the composition ends with a majestic ode to nature.

Excuse me may I play along? Could you step aside please? ‘Step Aside’ is a pleasant competition both between two tempi and among the different parts. After a short slow introduction it is the drummer who without asking the questions above sets the high pace. As soon as this rapid movement has been established ‘part 1’ takes the lead but the other parts obviously don’t want to miss a thing and follow in rapid succession. At the end of the composition the various parts ‘compete’ in order to be able to play solo for a while but soon others join in again asking ‘Excuse me may I play along?’

In the composition 'La terre' several aspects of Earth have been translated into sounds in an associative manner. The first part depicts Nature Mother Earth stability the soil which is the source of life. Earth symbolizes tradition rituals fertility. In the music of the composition this can be heard in tonic and ostinato passages. Furthermore human emotions such as gladness sorrow wonder resignation hope and despair indissolubly connected as they are to mankind's life on earth are musically reflected in sudden gusts of expression. Earth for us human beings is the solid ground on which everything in life takes place. In the second part different moodsare evoked in a sort of toccata. Now and then the music sounds fragmented at other times as a solid whole. The robustness of the music in this part has its roots in the earth originates from it. It reflects stability and strength but love and nostalgia are also present in soft and fragile tones. 'La terre' is a musical narrative about Earth in which music has been given ample room to show its many-sided beauty.

In English-speaking countries ‘Away in a Manger’ is one of the first Christmas songs to be taught to little children. It is a moving song with simple words which makes it easy to understand. The song is also known as ‘Luther’s Cradle Hymn’. This suggests that Martin Luther was the author of the lyrics. According to researchers however this is a misconception – the author is unknown. In England ‘Away in a Manger’ is sung to a different melody than in the USA for example. The ‘English’ melody was composed by W.J. Kirkpatrick. Andrew Mackereth made a touching arrangement of the ‘English’ melody which suits the tender lyrics perfectly.

Vittorio Monti was born on January 6 1868 in Naples (Italy). His musical education (violin and composition) he enjoyed at the conservatory there. Around his 30's Monti went to Paris. He earned a living as a conductor and wrote several ballets and operettas. In his last years Monti died in 1922 he devoted himself to teaching and composing. His famous 'Czardas' has made his name known even today. Initially the czardas was a Hungarian folk dance but after the mid-nineteenth century it was even a dance for the upper-class. Czardas begins with a slow introduction the Lassan (slow and sad) and then the fast part Friska follows. Czardas is not as somany people think typical gypsy music.

Who begins? Who follows? In 'Who's next?' the orchestra is divided up into two parts a number of times. The division seems random but on close scrutiny it becomes clear at the end that sides are clearly taken also in playing the melody first one section and then .... who'll be next? 'Who's next?' is solid Rock no nonsense going straight ahead.

Rock My Soul is a gospel song that has a worldwide reputation. Ben Christon has added a new spirit to the composition. The solo in the beginning can be performed by various types of instruments.

Eating is a feast. But you are not yet in a party mood? Then enjoy Sour Croute because that will make you move. This German waltz will certainly put you into the right mood.

Carl Wittrock a été inspiré par les énormes champs de glace qui entourent le Pôle Sud. Les sons colorés et majestueux de cette composition donnent une vue fluide et fascinante de ce « 6e continent ». Les mélodies libres d?Antartica sontreliées entre elles par un accompagnement harmonieux et simple rendant cette ?uvre agréable pour l?auditeur et les musiciens.