Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451. His father was a wool merchant. Originally he seemed destined to follow in his father?s footsteps and thus sailed the oceans to countries as far apart as Iceland and Guinea. In 1476 his ship was sunk during a battle off the coast of Portugal. Columbus saved his own life by swimming to shore. In 1484 he conceived the idea of sailing to the Indies via a westward sea route but it was only in 1492 that he was able to realize this plan. On this first voyage he was in command of three ships: the flag-ship called the Santa Maria the Pinta and the Ni?a. From Spain Columbus sailed via the Canary Islands to the Bahamas whichhe sighted on October 12th 1492. Without being aware of it Columbus discovered the ?New World? ? he thought he had landed in the eastern part of Asia. The motif from Dvoøák?s 9th Symphony ?Aus der neuen Welt? forms a little counterfeit history at this point in the composition. After this first voyage Columbus was to undertake another three long voyages to America. These voyages were certainly not entirely devoid of misfortune. More than once he was faced with shipwreck mutiny and the destruction of settlements he had founded. After Columbus had left for Spain from Rio Belen in 1503 he beached his ships on the coast of Jamaica. The crew were marooned there and it was only after a year that Columbus succeeded in saving his men and sailing back to Spain with them. In the music the misunderstanding about which continent Columbus discovered in his lifetime resounds for does this part in the composition not contain Asiatic motifs? Poor Columbus! In 1506 the famous explorer died in Valladolid.

Composer Joaquin Turina (1882-1949) was a native of Spain but was influenced early in his career by the impressionistic harmonies of Debussy and Ravel while studying in Paris. Upon returning to Spain he drew inspiration fromSpanish folk music with La Procession du Rocio becoming one of his best-known works. The music portrays a festival and procession that takes place in the Triana neighborhood of Seville and is filled with wonderfulidiomatic Spanish musical elements. Alfred Reed's marvelous transcription created in 1962 remains an enduring staple in the repertoire for wind bands. Dur: c. 8:30Recorded by The Keystone Wind Ensemble ? JackStamp conductorFrom the CD ?Alfred Reed? K 11162 ? Courtesy of Klavier Music Productions

Par PASTORE CARMINE. Spain is a country like no other. Its scenic beauty, colorful history and bold arts and literature are unique and legendary. In this overture Carmine Pastore skilfully portrays this timeless region of many contrasts with the widely-varied orchestration portraying many of the opposing and unique qualities of the concert band. / Niveau : 3 / Musique légère originale / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Preludio and Andante in Swing for Flugel Horn or Trumpet and Concert Band-Raffaello Sanzio better known simply as Raphael was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. His paintings have been admired and imitated for centuries and his architectural works have had a considerable influence. He is seen as one of the finest painters in the history of Western art as well the supreme master of preliminary drawings for his numerous projects. Raphael’s works have always been appreciated and studied and are regarded as jewels of academic art.This composition is inspired by the great painter and his dazzling works but also the composer’s own brother Rafael or Rafa to who this piece is dedicated. With its entertaining Andante inSwing and peaceful Preludio we have a rich picture of a generous understanding and loving person wholly dedicated to music teaching particularly to younger children. Thanks to his many qualities the young pupils enrich their musical faculties and broaden their knowledge.Like a well chosen metaphor Raphael is dedicated to Rafa whose great achievement is in stimulating and educating the young - and not so young - through his remarkable work at the Allegro Centro Musical (Valencia Spain) with the aim of providing them with a solid musical training in order to become good musicians and well-adjusted people.

Pasodoble de Concierto-María Gil Herrero was specially commissioned by Antonio Estevan a great connoisseur and lover of music for wind band. This piece is dedicated to Estevan’s wife María to commemorate the celebration in 2009 of their golden wedding anniversary. It was premiered on 30 January 2010 at the Teatro Cervantes of Sax Alicante province (Spain) by the Banda Unión Musical de Sax under the direction of its conductor D. Roberto Trinidad Ramón.The piece opens with a spectacular introduction leading to an expressive saxophone solo. The rubato accents of the first melodic motif give way to the central section which has a distinct and triumphal character. At Estevan’s request trumpetand flute solos highlight the more flamboyant passages. The soft and harmonious colours of the trio’s exquisite melody lead to a recapitulation of the central section before reaching the final climax.María Gil Herrero a concert pasodoble written in a traditional style will enthral the audience with its outstanding character and typically Spanish musical form.

Score-At the turn of this century it was the habit of all the royal families of Europe to gather annually for social and state occasions. The great houses of England Austria Spain Germany Russia Sweden Denmark Italy et al were in reality one clan since royal blood was only bred to royal blood in those days.At these fashionable assemblies matches were made courtships begun hunts were staged balls dinners and receptions filled thenights and intrigue was rampant. Sarajevo a city in central Yugoslavia provided the setting for the royal outing in the spring of 1914. Pomp and splendor attended the ruling heads of state who officiated at ceremonies and ledparades. All this magnificence is captured in Morton Gould's 'Sarajevo Suite ' written originally for a CBS documentary television series entitled 'World War I.'This adaptation for Concert Band wasmade from the composer's original score by Louis Brunelli.

Par COURT DOUGLAS. The unmistakable sound of Spain! You can almost taste the red dust in the air! Douglas Court’s SONG OF THE MATADOR will add a wonderful exotic touch to your next performance. Great melodic exposure for the Trombones, Tubas and other low Brass and Woodwinds, as well as lots of wonderful dynamic and articulation considerations, make this a terrific teaching tool as well!The fiery nature of this music is naturally contained in a moderate tempo so that the piece remains accessible to young bands. / Niveau : 2.5 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Musically depicting the annual Fiesta de San Fermin celebration in Pamplona, Spain, the overture is cast in two segments, opening with a peaceful reflective setting, 'Morning in Pamplona,' and followed by the dynamic 'The Running of the Bulls.' High energy! (2:30) / Concert Band

What a great energetic way to open your Christmas concert and bring focus to the joyful sounds of the season! Themes from Spain Czechoslovakia Poland England and France lead us on a delightful Christmas tour and James Curnow'soutstanding orchestration technique ensures that all the musicians have rewarding parts to play. You'll enjoy the melodic twists and turns as the consistent unifying tempo charges implacably toward the exciting finale. (Grade 4)

Flamenco for Band-Flamenco is a style of music usually played on the guitar to accompany dancing and singing that has its home in Andalusia in southern Spain. It has its roots in the years of Moorish rule of the region (711-1492) although the modern flamenco style dates only from the 18th century. La Caracola (which is the Spanish name for the triton sea shell) is an annual festival of flamenco that takes place around the region’s capital Seville annually in May. This piece does not contain any traditional flamenco melodies but does capture wonderfully the colour passion and energy of this seductive music in a ‘must-have’ work for Beginner Bands.

The unmistakable sound of Spain! You can almost taste the red dust in the air! Douglas Court’s SONG OF THE MATADOR will add a wonderful exotic touch to your next performance. Great melodic exposure for the Trombones Tubas and other low Brass and Woodwinds as well as lots of wonderful dynamic and articulation considerations make this a terrific teaching tool as well!The fiery nature of this music is naturally contained in a moderate tempo so that the piece remains accessible to young bands.

(Born for You) Suite Sinfónica-So Nata Per Te — or Naci para ti in Spanish — translates as ?I was born for you?. This symphonic suite is inspired by Pepe Domingo a great music enthusiast and lover of life who wanted to commemorate his long and happy marriage to his dear wife Concha. He commissioned Ferrar Ferran to set to music the great bond of their partnership: the couple will be able to close their eyes and relive through the music their most precious memories one by one.So Nata Per Te is a suite of many contrasts. Its contemporary modern flavours are entertaining while the colourful variations are exciting and fascinating. Audience members may recall happy memories in their ownlives listening to the delightful famous tunes that appear throughout the work and although somewhat different from the originals they are easily recognisable.Ferrer Ferran dedicated this work to Pepe Domingo and his wife Concha not only for their great enthusiasm and passion for music but also for their mutual love. So Nata Per Te was premiered on 27 February 2010 at the Auditorio Florida of Paiporta (Spain) by the Banda Primitiva de Paiporta conducted by the composer.

Variations on a melody by Adriaen Valerius (1575-1625)-Dutch composer artist and poet Adriaen Valerius is mostly remembered today for his collection of 79 songs for voice and lute or cittern published posthumously in 1626. Philip Sparke has taken one melody from this collection that tells of the War of Independence with Spain. The beautiful slow melody is followed by a series of lively variations to form an extremely entertaining piece that will bring great joy to all who perform and listen to it.

Pacific Dreams describes the experience of Miguel a traveling composer from Spain who feeling somewhat alienated from his homeland is wandering through an area of Sydney known as The Rocks. At a small outdoor market in a typical street of this oldcolonial neighbourhood he discovers a print of William DeShazos painting 'Pacific Dreams' Portrayed in the painting is the surf of one of the exotic islands in the Pacific. Next with the impressive Sydney Harbour Bridge looming over the narrowstreets of The Rocks he envisions sultry Pacific beaches. Suddenly a theme he once composed about the lakes in Japan comes to him. Is it the Asian influences present in cosmopolitan Sydney that bring this theme to mind? Or perhaps the waters aroundSydney over which he could sail to Tahiti? He is uncertain. Could this same theme be used to create a new composition about his feelings for the metropolis Sydney? How then to work his Pacific Dreams into the mix? Miguel is certainly no fan ofHawaiian music. Mayby he could use the vocabularies of islands like Hawaii and Tahiti their beautiful vowel combinations being sung ad libitum by a mixed choir.With these ideas and his newly purchased print of 'Pacific Dreams' he boards the Metroat Circular Quay. He has a final glimpse of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House as the train races into the ground. On to the hotel! To work! He must compose!Maestoso : Miguel is impressed as he gazes upon the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And yet hewants to go away from this city. Away to an exotic island in the Pacific.Steady Rock : In the Rocks musicians are playing at a square. Miguel basks in the atmosphere but at the same time he is fantasizing about Hawaii and Tahiti.Andante Lamentoso :In his hotel room Miguel is feeling sad and lonely in this big city. He takes comfort in his 'Pacific Dreams'.Allegro : Miguel boards the boat that takes him from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay. In his mind he is traveling on to Hawaii. Or is ithome where the bolero is playing? He is pulled back to reality by the skyline of Sydney.