David Well composed 'Frida's Whiskers' in commemoration of his own cat who met an untimely end. Frida (whose real name was 'Godefrida van Coopersburg thoe Nieuwenhuys') was a lively creature who led a playful and uncomplicated life. She used to sleep in her basket for hours but when she woke up she upset the entire house and its furnishing. Curtains were inspected from top to bottom and flower pots fell from window-sills just like that! Outside in the open air she was in her element. She used to frolic bouncing into the air. After such playful moods she would return to her basket tired but satisfied where being the cleanly cat that shewas she subjected her entire body whiskers included to a thorough wash.

The world premiere of the musical Elisabeth took place in Vienna on September 3 1992. From the great acclaim with which the musical was received it became clear that the life of the Empress of Austria still appeals to the imagination. Although Elisabeth's life (1837-1898) as an Empress has a fairy-tale-like beginning it takes a gloomy turn. In this production Luigi Lucheni the man who finally takes her life tells her story. Death plays a major role throughout Elisabeth's life. In the musical an equally mysterious and attractive man portrays the phenomenon of death seducing her to the realm of death time after time. Elisabeth's life resembles a fairy tale when shemarries the Emperor Franz Joseph at the age of sixteen. Her mother-in-law Archduchess Sophie does not make it easy on Elisabeth. But it is life itself that puts the Empress to the test. First her youngest daughter dies. Then not long after her son Rudolf is born her happiness is clouded when her mother-in-law decides she must take pity on him. After her husband's unfaithfulness and Sophie's death Elisabeth is so disillusioned that she chooses a travelling existence without realizing her husband and her son Rudolf miss her. Rudolf's loneliness is one of the reasons he commits suicide. The accumulation of disappointments in Elisabeth's life almost drives her into the arms of Death. In the end however it is Lucheni who kills her.

The Curse of the Mermaid tells the story of a greedy and wealthy fisherman wanting to make money in any way possible. When his business starts to fail he puts the blame on the mermaids. One day the fisherman kills a mermaid who casts a spell on him shortly before she disappears into the water.The composition is in the form of a symphonic poem starting slow and then mysteriously opening up revealing a fantastic colourful world of sounds and motion. There are various moments during the piece where the composer includes broad and beautiful melodic material as well as surprising effects and great rhythmical interest. This is a challenging but great piecefor concerts or contests!

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’.

Par DE HAAN JACOB. The Book of Urizen is a work for concert band, solo soprano, and a male narrator in which sound collages of religious expressions are used. The piece is inspired by the compelling visionary poem of the same name (which the poet illustratedhimself) by the Englishman William Blake (1757-1827), who occupies a unique position in western literature and the visual arts. He was not just a poet and a writer, but he was also a graphic artist, a painter, an illustrator, a spiritualist, areligious visionary, and a mystic philosopher. For the performance of this work, a professional sound system, including two microphones and a CD player, is needed. The three sound collages are three separate tracks on the enclosed CD and can beplayed easily at the right moment. The Book of Urizen bears resemblance to Genesis and Exodus, of which the contents form the basis of the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faith. Blake adhered to the principle that all religions are in fact one, and that deities reside in human beings. In The Book of Urizen this is represented in “The Net of Religion, ” which is spanned over the earth by Urizen. The sound collages, compiled by Jacob de Haan in the studio, find their origin inJerusalem, the Holy City, where the afore-mentioned faiths “come together. ” In the first movement of this composition, The Vision, Urizen prepares his vision of the world, and he presents this to the “Eternals. ” His vision is rejected, and Urizen locks himself up in his own abstract world. When he does emerge again, he is confronted with rage by the gathered Eternals. Urizen flees the wrath of the Eternals, “the flames of eternal fury, ” and enwombs himself in his own world. Whenthe Eternals see Urizen in his “stony sleep, ” they wonder if this is death. The blacksmith Los is torn by grief because of the isolation of Urizen. It brings him to rouse his fires, prepare his forge, and to give Urizen’s world concrete form. In the second movement, The Creation, Urizen’s world, but also man, woman, and child are created. Los is horrified with the appearance of Urizen’s body. He mourns and pities Urizen, and from his blood a female form comes into being, with thename Enitharmon. The Eternals, fearful of the female form, decide to erect a tent to obstruct their view to eternity. Enitharmon and Los beget a son, called Orc. Los baptizes him as a child of the “fallen world. ” Orc is fed at Enitharmon’s breast, which makes a girdle of jealousy restrict Los’ chest. He takes the child to the top of the mountain and chains him down. The cries of Orc awaken Urizen, who explores his world creating instruments of scientific measurement to do so. Los encircles theface of Enitharmon from the sight of Urizen and Orc. She then populates the earth by giving birth to an enormous race. The Web, third movement of The Book of Urizen is now available: DHP 1125252 / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

She's A Lady - It's Not Unusual - Delilah - Help Yourself-Having scored many hits over a long career especially in the sixties and seventies Tom Jones remains a world star. Gilbert Tinner has now created a fantastic and easily playable arrangement with songs from this period. This medley includes She’s a Lady It's Not Unusual Delilah and Help Yourself.

Beating a drum is fun. Beating a big drum is even more fun. Being a soloist and beating a bass drum is best of all. In 'Big Fun on the Bass Drum' the dream of every starter percussionist is realized. He/she is soloist and is allowed to really beat the drum hard without the conductor putting a stop to it but beware: a new skin is rather expensive. 'Big Fun on the Bass Drum' is not only about hitting as hard as you can though. A lot of attention is paid to playing the bass drum very softly. And what is more the composer has found room to offer the soloist a real cadenza - at this point in the composition he/she can either play the partprescribed or give the audience an improvisation of his/her own.

A brief history: Pentecost Monday was a special day for schools in Yorkshire (England). There were a variety of activities. The pupils of Sabine Baring-Gould would meet with the children of a nearby village. It seemed like a good idea that during the walk would be sung. But she could not find a suitable song and decided to write one by herself. 'Onward Christian Soldiers' was the result. It soon became very popular though she herself was not entirely satisfied with the rhyme scheme. The melody used (St. Gertrude) was by the famous English composer Sir Arthur S. Sullivan. Back to now: Gawan Roberts has given the hymn a proper update. He gave the still popularsong a solid rock beat and added daring harmonies. So it's popular for current generations again for years. Onward!

Beating a drum is fun. Beating a big drum is even more fun. Being a soloist and beating a bass drum is best of all. In 'Big Fun on the Bass Drum' the dream of every starter percussionist is realized. He/she is soloist and is allowed to really beat the drum hard without the conductor putting a stop to it but beware: a new skin is rather expensive. 'Big Fun on the Bass Drum' is not only about hitting as hard as you can though. A lot of attention is paid to playing the bass drum very softly. And what is more the composer has found room to offer the soloist a real cadenza - at this point in the composition he/she can either play the partprescribed or give the audience an improvisation of his/her own.

The central figure in this work is Marianella Garçia Villas (1948-1983). This Salvadorean woman fought for human rights in her country. As a barrister for political prisoners she belonged to the opponents of the regime in El Salvador. She escaped death several times but eventually her activities cost her her life. The story of Marianella Garçia Villas is very important in the struggle for human rights in South America with many people followed her example. Dirk Brossé ends this symphonic poem with a Coda in which hope for improvements in human rights triumph.

In 1941 Khatchaturian composed a ballet soon to be known throughout the world - Gayaneh. In this piece the composer describes the landscape of his native country Armenia and the people who tried to build the country to create a happy life there. Evil powers however try to destroy the peaceful work. Gayaneh is a young ordinary woman who cares greatly for her village. In addition to the fight for the village she also fights for her own happiness. Khatchaturian was a master at using elements of folk music in his compositions and these can be clearly heard in this arrangement for concert band by Wil van der Beek.

The Beatles' landmark album Abbey Road was the last one recorded by the band and is considered by many to be their best. This dynamic and creative setting for band includes: You Never Give Me Your Money Come Together Maxwell's Silver Hammer She Came In Through the Bathroom Window Something and The End. Sure to become a classic!

De retour d?un concert des « Beatles » qui connaissent à l?époque un franc succès le jeune Billy Joel (1949) décide de devenir une star de la pop. Après des débuts difficiles en tant que musicien au sein de différents groupes c?est la révélation et Billy enchaîne tube sur tube. Ce pot-pourri met à l?honneur des tubes tels que « Piano Man » « She?s always a Woman » « Just the way you are » « Honesty » « The longest time » et « Tell her about it ».

Any serious fan of professional football is aware of the famous films documenting important games. As distinctive as the films themselves and their deep-voiced announcer are the classic musical themes that accompany the action.Bring the flavor of the gridiron to your next concert with this entertaining and well-written arrangement. Includes: Up She Rises • The Lineman • Ramblin' Man from Gramblin' • Round Up • Lombardi TrophyReprise.

Wanna listen to the king you look like an Elvis-In this great Disney musical a little girl Lilo adopts what she believes is a puppy but is what turns out to be an alien that has landed on earth by mistake. Their friendship is sealed by their mutual love of the music of the king - Elvis Presley. This arrangement contains a selection of Elvis classics that were featured in the film and is sure leave your audience humming Elvis songs long after they have left the concert.