Philip Sparke a composé cette pièce pour le Western Plains Wind Consortium placé sous la direction de son fondateur Daniel Baldwin. La création fut assurée par l?Orchestre d?Harmonie de l?Université d?État de l?Oklahoma Panhandle (Dr. Matthew C. Saunders direction) le 1er décembre 2009 au Centennial Theatre à Goodwell en Oklahama (États-Unis). Les orchestres membres du Western Plains Wind Consortium qui ont contribué à la commande de cette œuvre sont :Garden City High School Symphonic Band - Ryan Elliot & Daniel Baldwin directionSouthwestern Oklahoma State University Wind Ensemble - James South directionPanhandle State University Band - Matthew Saunders direction Holton High School Band - Donald McDaniel directionHolcomb High School Band - Paul White directionBethel College Band - Timothy Shade directionGarden City Community College Band - Daniel Baldwin directionLa commande stipulait que l?œuvre devait synthétiser une ambiance hivernale sans référence au cycle de la Nativité. Philip Sparke a réalisé une scène d?hiver en pleine campagne. A Winter?s Tale s?ouvre avec une série d?accords soutenus joués par les bois et colorés par le timbre cristallin des cloches tandis qu?un saxophone alto chante une complainte crépusculaire. Un passage orchestral court mais dense prélude à l?exposition du thème principal. Les couleurs douces et vaporeuses enveloppent les champs et les forêts enneigés. L?orchestre reprend le thème tandis que l?on entend au loin un tintement de grelots annonçant le passage imminent d?une troïka. Une fois passée la musique s?apaise et le thème principal revient avant de laisser la place au motif d?ouverture qui vient conclure la trame musicale.

March of the Three Kings. Par HOSAY JAMES L.. A brilliant opener or a rousing finale! Either way, this is the piece that will make memories and stir your audience’s comments at your winter concert. A bravura exploration of the well-known 13th century melody March of the Three Kings (also arranged by Bizet as Farandole in L’Arlésienne ), the Fantasia On A 13th Century Carol will catch and hold everyone’s attention from first note to last. As you may know, James L. Hosay is a master of concert band composition, and many facets of his remarkable talent are clearly evident in this powerful new composition. Magnificent! / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band

March of the Three Kings-A brilliant opener or a rousing finale! Either way this is the piece that will make memories and stir your audience?s comments at your winter concert. A bravura exploration of the well-known 13th century melody March of the Three Kings (also arranged by Bizet as Farandole in L?Arlésienne) the Fantasia On A 13th Century Carol will catch and hold everyone?s attention from first note to last. As you may know James L. Hosay is a master of concert band composition and many facets of his remarkable talent are clearly evident in this powerful new composition.Magnificent!

Here's the perfect number to showcase the talents of your sax section including a haunting melody played by your lead alto. The rhumba beat never sounded better with lush harmonies muted trumpets and all the latin percussion instruments you can put your hands on. Works very nicely as a change-of-pace work on your winter or spring concert.