Prague also named ‘The Golden City’ has been the cultural and administrative capital city of the Czech Republic for thousands of years. The city is beautifully situated on the river Moldau. Every year millions of tourists visit Prague. It is one of the most popular cities of Eastern Europe. With it's mysterious little squares dark alley ways and cobblestone streets the ‘City of the 100 Towers’ is a unique mixture of architecture dominated by monumental buildings numerous churches and the oldest castle of Europe. The Bohemian capital city remains timeless. Visit the fort and be amazed at the lovely views over the Charles Bridge. Spend your time carefully browsing through the little stalls filled with paintings photos jewelery and hand-decorated products accompanied by the sounds of the street musicians in the background. Notice the famous 15 th century astronomical clock that indicates the time every hour with a parade of the twelve apostles. When composing this piece it was Jan Bosveld’s intention to depict the atmosphere of this metropolitan city with over one million inhabitants rather than to create a fairly literal musical portrait. One of the many other names of Prague is ‘The City of the Clocks’. This can be heard throughout the piece depicted by the tubular bells. The piece consists of three movements (slow-fast-slow) and was written in a rhapsodic format. Jan Bosveld was commissioned to write ‘The Golden City’ by the Dutch Music Lend and Information Centre (MUI) a department of the library for the province of Gelderland in Arnhem the Netherlands.

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.

Rob Goorhuis wrote his Variations on a Pentatonic Theme (1987) for the Royal Wind band of Thorn conductor Jan Cober. The work consists of five character variations on a pentatonic (five-tone) theme. The basic elements of the theme are the descending minor third and the descending major second which in the course of the composition build up to a broad melody unfolding itself in the final variation. The first variation resembles minimal music in its repetitive rhythmic motives. The second variation is explosive in character: rapid broken chords provide a background for soft solo motifs. The third variation is a quiet intermezzo on a slow chorale theme creatingtwo contrasting moods. The fourth variation is a light-hearted scherzo. The final variation is a brilliant finale with all the necessary ingredients or in the composer's words 'the works' Testpiece WMC 2005 Concert Division.

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. Anton Bruckner composed about 40 motets during his lifetime, the earliest a setting of Pange lingua around 1835, and the last, Vexilla regis, in 1892. Thomas Doss has compiled some of these motets in this volume for symphonic wind orchestra. These motets show many characteristics of personal expression, especially Bruckner's colourful harmony in the earlier works, which is in places aligned with Franz Schubert (changes between major and minor; and movements in thirds). Later works are characterised by many components which, in addition to the expanded stature of the movements, include above all a sense of the instrumentation as an outward phenomenon and the harmony as a compositional feature that works more internally. Some aspects of Bruckner's work are the result of his long period of study, which familiarised him not only with the tradition of his craft, but also gave him insights into the 'modernity' of his time in such composers as Wagner, Liszt and Berlioz. From this developed his personal standpoint, which always pursues the connection between the old and the new. / Date parution : 2023-08-12/ Répertoire / Concert Band/Harmonie

Hypercube is a musical narrative partly inspired by the architecture of the Grande Arche de la Défense in Paris whose shape has been compared to a hypercube.With this landmark building as a starting point the piece explores the poetry and reality of urban landscapes. In the course of the piece these contrasting elements are being torn into a dramatic and virtuosic development in extended sections named 'Le Vertige' (Vertigo).The Clouds theme returns later in a series of lyrical solos. In the final part of the piece both the Vertigo and the Hypercube themes become the background for an ongoing acceleration which conveys theimpression of some sort of musical Penrose stairs. Hypercube was commissioned by the Paris Brass Band and the association ADIAM 94 in 2015.

Glitter and glamour good-looking people a lot of Bling Bling and fast cars ? images like these will cross our minds when we think of the movie world. However reality proves to be different : as a rule a tremendous amount of work will have been done on the set before a film is ready to be shown on the big screen. A visit to an actual movie set inspired John Emerson Blackstone to write a composition bearing the same name. He had both seen a number of characteristic attributes and heard the typical phrases used in film making and he incorporated them into ?On the Movie Set? . In the first part ?The Clapboard? a ?director?s assistant? is supposed to shout ?Quieton the set?? and ?Action!? as is done before a real scene is shot. Subsequently in order to create the right atmosphere the clacking of a ?Clapboard? should be heard. During a romantic scene we should be transported to another world by means of sweet sounds in the background so romantic music is of course heard in the next part ?Love Scene?. At the end of a long working day ?It?s a wrap? is called on the set to inform everyone that the filming on that day is completed. Now there is only one more thing left to dream of : an Oscar..... Perf. Note: The use of the right props will add to the performance and appreciation of ?On the Movie Set?. A red carpet and a glamorous reception should give your audience the feeling they are attending a real ?opening night?!

Traditional Folksong-This bright and joyous traditional Yiddish song will add a sparkle to your holiday concert! Glimmering counterpoint illuminates the cheerful melody that notes the beginning of the Festival of Lights. Easy woodwind trills and staccato background rhythms add life to the arrangement making this a memorable experience for all!

Deluxe Edition-MusicWorks – Grade 4Score and PartsOne of the band repertoire treasures of all time this uniquely American work by Robert Russell Bennett continues to stand the test of time as it moves triumphantly into itssixth decade! This marvelous new printing features a full score detailing all parts as well as program notes and extensive historical background information. Carefully researched by Dr. Edward Higgins from the original editions many inconsistencies and part errors have also been corrected. This beautifully engraved deluxe edition is destined to become a staple in every band's library of serious works.

Glistening chords soaring melodies broad fanfares and gorgeous chorales will fill your concert hall with this evocative work. Best of all From Gold sounds much harder than it actually is. Mr. Hazos background as a music educator is evidentin how quickly directors and students will get to the music making. Written entirely in B-flat with few accidentals the runs are split between instruments for playability and parts are doubled/cued to build confidence. Young bands will soundmature and mature bands will be breathtaking. Dur: 4:35

Beautiful and poignant The Emerald Isle is a new work from popular Alfred composer Dave Black. This wonderful piece begins with a lovely melody that features the woodwinds with horn chords in the background. The final section begins with percussion and is a jaunty Irish jig in 6/8 time. This is a great concert piece with plenty of chances to learn ensemble playing 3-against-2 rhythms and musical phrasing!

MusicWorks – Grade 4Full ScoreOne of the band repertoire treasures of all time this uniquely American work by Robert Russell Bennett continues to stand the test of time as it moves triumphantly into itssixth decade! This marvelous new printing features a full score detailing all parts as well as program notes and extensive historical bakground information. Carefully researched by Dr. Edward Higgins from the original editions many inconsistencies and part errors have also been corrected. This beautifully engraved deluxe edition is destined to become a staple in every band's library of serious works.