Anton Bruckner (1824-1896). Par BRUCKNER ANTON / DOSS THOMAS (Arr.). Anton Bruckner (b. 4.9.1824, Ansfelden, d. 11.10.1896, Vienna) didn?t have it easy. Throughout his life, the Austrian composer was plagued by self-doubt. Anton Bruckner came from a simple, rural background. After the death of his father, he was accepted as a choirboy at the monastery of Sankt Florian in 1837. After several years as a school assistant and his own organ and piano studies, he first worked as organist in St. Florian, then from 1855 as cathedral organist in Linz. Introduced to music theory and instrumentation by Simon Sechter and Otto Kitzler, he discovered Richard Wagner as an artistic role model, whom he admired throughout his life and also visited several times in Bayreuth. In 1868 Anton Bruckner became professor of basso continuo, counterpoint and organ at the Vienna Conservatory; ten years later court organist; and in 1891 finally honorary doctor of the University of Vienna. He was considered an important organ virtuoso of his era, but had to wait a long time for recognition as a composer. It was not until Symphony No.7 in E major, composed between 1881 and 1883, with the famous Adagio written under the effects of Wagner's death, that he achieved the recognition he had hoped for, even if he was reluctant to accept it given his inclination towards scepticism and self-criticism. Anton Bruckner was a loner who did not want to follow a particular school or doctrine. He composed numerous sacred vocal works, such as his three masses, the Missa Solemnis in B flat minor (1854), the Te Deum (1881-84) and numerous motets. As a symphonic composer, he wrote a total of nine symphonies and many symphonic studies from 1863 onwards, tending to revise completed versions several times over. Bruckner's orchestral works were long considered unplayable, but in fact were merely exceptionally bold for the tonal language of their time, uniting traditions from Beethoven through Wagner to folk music, on the threshold between late Romanticism and Modernism. Hymns for four-part mixed choir a cappella (1846, St. Florian) No. 1 in E flat major (WAB 41/3): Quite Slow No. 2 in C major (WAB 41/4): Andante No. 3 in B flat major (WAB 41/1): Slow No. 4 in A flat major (WAB 41/2): Slow Hymn for five-part (2 S, A, T, B) mixed choir and organ No. 5 in D major: Solemnly They are simple works, completely subordinate to their liturgical use, which nevertheless already show numerous characteristics of personal expression. These small pieces were able to stand up to the harsh scrutiny of the mature master: in 1888, Bruckner subjected them to a revision in which he made only minor corrections. / Date parution : 2023-08-12/ Répertoire / Concert Band/Harmonie

Prayer to the Power of Love. Par BORTNIANSKY DMITRY STEPANOVYCH. The Ukrainian Dmitri Bortniansky (1751-1825) received lessons at the local singing school in his hometown of Hlukhiv, and soon his extraordinary talent was recognised. He was somewhat of a child prodigy, writing his first opera at a young age. Following his studies Bortniansky was appointed court composer and Kapellmeister of the Imperial Chapel Choir. In the period that followed, he wrote - in addition to a number of operas, instrumental works, and a cycle of songs - more than a hundred religious works for a cappella choir, in which he combined Russian-orthodox and Ukrainian traditions with late 18th century European music. The appealing melody of Ich bete an die Macht derLiebe (Prayer to the Power of Love) became well-known, especially in Germany, in combination with German text by Gerhard Tersteegen. This arrangement by Michael Bilkes reflects the atmosphere of the original work very well. / Niveau : 2 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

O Take My Hand, Dear Father. Par SILCHER FRIEDRICH. This celebrated song is based on a poem by Julie Hausmann (1826-1901), a Latvian teacher who was probably blind. The text draws on her personal experience and unshakeable faith in God, death and eternal life. The melody by Friedrich Silcher is written in a simple and delicate style but also draws on the grand romantic tradition of Wagner and Bruckner. This arrangement can also be performed with a mixed choir. The choir parts are in German. / Niveau : 2 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par ANDRE ARNESEN KIM. Cradle Hymn, a Christmas lullaby with imagery of Mary and her infant, was written for the Nidaros Cathedral Girl's Choir and conductor Anita Brevik in 2010, and later arranged for SATB and TTBB chorus. The Lyrics were written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748). This arrangement was written by Christian Aftreth Eriksen in 2021, commissioned by Bunberry High School, Australia. It is scored for large concert band, but is playable for smaller forces through clever cross cuing: Eb clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone, Contrabassson and Double Bass can all be considered ad lib. All Oboes, Bass Clarinet, Bassoons and all Horns are cross cued. A Soprano Saxophone part is provided to cover the Oboe solos, and should only be used if no Oboes are available. The choice of Vibraphone or Marimba is left up do the conductor. Vibraphone will provide more resonance in the ensemble, if needed. / Date parution : 2023-07-31/ Répertoire / Concert Band/Harmonie

Par VAN BELCUM HENK. As the title suggests, this work is a partita: it consists of a number of variations on a chorale melody. The partita has been popular for centuries, especially when it comes to organ music. Henk van Belcum, who is active in the choir world, chose for his Partita Piccola the German hymn Wunderbarer König as a starting point. Partita Piccola consists of four variations and a choral setting. After a majestic opening fanfare, the second variation follows, based on a canon by Pachelbel. Händel’s Sarabande is the basis of the third variation. Next comes the chorale setting, after which the work ends festively with a dance that has been written in the form of a courante. PartitaPiccola is an asset for church services and for concert platforms. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par VAN BELCUM HENK. As the title suggests, this work is a partita: it consists of a number of variations on a chorale melody. The partita has been popular for centuries, especially when it comes to organ music. Henk van Belcum, who is active in the choir world, chose for his Partita Piccola the German hymn Wunderbarer König as a starting point. Partita Piccola consists of four variations and a choral setting. After a majestic opening fanfare, the second variation follows, based on a canon by Pachelbel. Händel’s Sarabande is the basis of the third variation. Next comes the chorale setting, after which the work ends festively with a dance that has been written in the form of a courante. PartitaPiccola is an asset for church services and for concert platforms. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band

Par DE MEIJ JOHAN. Songs from the Lowlands est une collection de chansons des XVIe et XVIIe siècles de mon pays natal, La Hollande, anciennement connus sous le nom des Pays Bas. Ce sont tour à tour des chansons patriotiques d?Adriaen Valerius du temps où notre pays était occupé par l?Espagne, des chansons d?amour coquines et une chanson à boire, Peeckel-Haringh. Songs from the Lowlands a été écrit pour le concert d?adieu de mon cher ami Jim Yarnell, qui était le chef de l?orchestre d?harmonie avec The American School of The Hague depuis quatre décennies. Jim a dirigé la première lors de son dernier concert, le 8 avril 2022, et jouit maintenant d?une retraite bien méritée. Songs from the Lowlands se prête une interprétation instrumentale ou avec chorale (SATB). / Date parution : 2022-09-20/ Répertoire / Concert Band/Harmonie et Choir

For Choir, Band and opt. Strings. Choral Arrangements by Mark Brymer. Par LLOYD WEBBER ANDREW. / TV, Film, Comédie musicale / Répertoire / Concert Band