Par CURNOW JAMES. At times intimate and reflective, at times boisterous and unrelenting, this uplifting new work by James Curnow was inspired by the biblical story of Job and his “never give up” attitude. The old spiritual Balm in Gilead is incorporated as the piece takes us through tribulation and solace, turmoil and relief. The full spectrum of orchestration from rich, dark Brasses to flashing Woodwinds, and some small solo recitatives create contrast in density as well as mood. There is a great deal to appreciate in the scoring and construction of this piece as you prepare for performance. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par BUCKLEY ROBERT. December was inspired by the holiday season in Canada. It reflects the sounds, the sights, and the moods of that magical time of year. December starts off joyfully with a playful theme of celebration. This leads into an icy, reverent, winter solstice theme. Then there is a further development of the original joyful theme and a jubilant build to the finish. December can be performed with or without the optional choir part. A wonderful addition to any holiday concert. / Niveau : 3 / Date parution : 1905-07-01/ Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SCHWARZ OTTO M.. Asteroids and comets have played an important role throughout the history of life on earth. It is quite probable that the dinosaurs have been exterminated by an asteroid's impact in the Gulf of Mexico. Huge tidal waves and fire storms wiped out all life. This is the year 2067 according to the Christian calendar. A collision has just taken place in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and caused an asteroid to enter the earth's power of gravitation. It is instoppably approaching the blue planet. As its peoples have been fighting each other continuously, they missed the building of a global defence system against dangers coming from space. A scanner records the asteroid andimmediately sends a message to the President of the Anglo-American Union. The probability that the asteroid will hit the earth is judged 50% by the experts. Plans are made to shoot the celestial body with rockets live with hydrogen bombs or laser guns in order to throw it off its track, but they fail. The asteroid's size seems to threaten the existence of mankind. Those in the know stare at the night sky in bewilderment. But for the time being, there is still peace on earth. . . . / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SPARKE PHILIP. The south-western US state of Arizona has more than its fair share of stunning landscapes, natural phenomena and National Monuments. Best known is the Grand Canyon, but there are also numerous deserts, a petrified forest, extinct volcanoes and the huge Sunset Crater. Not surprisingly, it has featured as the backdrop to many Western movies. The Painted Desert is a narrow, crescent-shaped arc about 160 miles long which begins near the Grand Canyon and varies in width from 10 to 35 miles. It is largely void of vegetation and years of erosion by wind and rain have exposed sedimentary layers of rock up to 250 million years old. Chemical differences in the various layers result in aneffect not unlike a multicoloured layer cake with contrasting hues of red, orange and pink, blue, grey and lavender creating a silent and barren landscape which looks like it has been hand-painted. As with much of the planet’s stunning landscapes all the observer can do is stand and stare. / Niveau : 1 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par DE HAAN JACOB. This composition is based on a passacaglia theme, in which artistic perfection, symphonic drama and oriental melody lines play a role. The passacaglia is originally a dance made up of a series of variations above a bass line constantly present as an ostinato. It is not in this sense that the 'Symphonic Variations' are in the passacaglia form but in the sense of the open form of the variations. Jacob de Haan, himself originally an organist, took his inspiration for this piece from the famous passacaglia for organ in C-minor by J. S. Bach. Following the introduction of the passacaglia theme (in the bass) the entry by the trumpets and trombones forms the majestic start to amusical adventure, in which this theme (often fragmentary) returns in variations. Then there follow two faster movements with dramatic contrasts and virtuose passages. Particularly striking here is the use of two characteristic intervals from the beginning of the theme namely the minor second and the augmented fourth. An apause in the composition comes in the slow bridge where a syncopated bourdon (perfect fifth) is constantly repeated. The tension grows in dynamics and harmony, and the oriental-flavour becomes obvious in the melody. We arrive at a faster movement via an accelerando, in which a perpetuum mobile based on the passacaglia theme is central. Finally the whole flows into a martial theme, in which the ostinato accompaniment n the descant derives from the passacaglia theme. / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo is an emerging star in the realm of choral works, and also with music for wind band. Similar to his earlier band works Meridian and The Spheres, Serenity is based on a successful choral work. Beautifully arranged by J. Eric Wilson along with the composer, this version for wind band maintains all the wonder and magic of the original work. The opening is ethereal and somber, with sustained chords in clarinets and bowed percussion supporting a delicate oboe solo. The middle section shifts the principal modality from minor to major, and the layering orchestration and rising tessitura creates a tremendous rush of energy that leads to a triumphant climax. The closing section returns to the timbre of the opening, but now painted with hopefulness and healing. / Ensemble A Vent Partition Et Parties

'Predators of the Deep' depicts one's primal inner fears of entering deep water and the awareness that there just may be something lurking below the surface seeking out its next prey. This exciting and programmatic work will captivate the imagination of your audience and students and will make a great starter or finishing piece for your next concert. (2:05) / Concert Band