Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Commissioned by the Japan Band Clinic Committee of Yamaha for the Nemu Band Directors Clinic in Nemu no Sato, May 18-20, 1997. The surprising title of this work is an indication of its content. By combining the somewhat similar names ‘Nemu no Sato’ and ‘Susato’ into a new word, Jan Van der Roost has produced a significant and interesting subject. The Yamaha corporation has extensive facilities in Nemu no Sato, Japan, including a concert hall, recording studios, hotel and so on. Concerts, workshops, clinics and other events are held here, including the annual Nemu Band Directors Clinic, which consists of numerous musical events. Jan Van der Roost served as guest conductor andspeaker in 1994. He was invited again for the 1997 clinic, this time with a composition assignment. The difficulty level of his new piece was to be Grade 2 - 3 bands. With this in mind, Mr. Van der Roost strove to create a renaissance-like sound. Simultaneously he wished to create a tribute to Tielman Susato who, like Jan Van der Roost, lived and worked in Antwerp in the 16th century. The first performance of Nemu-Susato was conducted by the composer, performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Band, and took place during the Nemu Band Directors Clinic on May 19, 1997. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. In the course of the two centuries following the death of Henry Purcell in 1695, no British composer of any statue was apparent. Consequently, the break-through of Edward Elgar (1857-1934) as an internationally known and respected composer at the end of the last century, was of considerable importance. As a composer Elgar was largely self-taught and he looked towards the continent for his inspiration. He is without doubt on par with his contemporaries such as the somewhat younger Richard Strauss. The Belgian composer Jan Van der Roost is a genuine admirer of Elgar’s music and on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the composer’s death in 1984 he composed the “CeremonialMarch”. Van der Roost was inspired by the most famous and frequently played works from Elgar’s catalogue of works, the characteristic “Pomp and Circumstances” marches, and decided to add his own, sixth march to the existing collection. / Niveau : 5 / Marche / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Singapura Suite was commissioned by Singapore's Ministry of Education Extracurricular Activities Branch to serve as a compulsory piece for the 1999 Singapore Youth Festival. 'Singapura' is the original name of Singapore in Malay, the native language there. Because Singapore is one of the most important harbors in the world, this two-piece work opens with a seaman's dance. An authentic melody, Chan Mali Chan, is woven into the middle of this first part, whose ABA form becomes clear through the recapitulation of the seaman's dance in a somewhat altered form. Singapore is also a dynamic city-state alive with excitement, thus the second part begins with a fitting dance, a fastbourrée. As contrast there is a second authentic melody, Dayung Sampan, a more easygoing sailing song. This short but curious suite ends in high spirits with a recapitulation of the beginning. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Singapura Suite was commissioned by Singapore's Ministry of Education Extracurricular Activities Branch to serve as a compulsory piece for the 1999 Singapore Youth Festival. 'Singapura' is the original name of Singapore in Malay, the native language there. Because Singapore is one of the most important harbors in the world, this two-piece work opens with a seaman's dance. An authentic melody, Chan Mali Chan, is woven into the middle of this first part, whose ABA form becomes clear through the recapitulation of the seaman's dance in a somewhat altered form. Singapore is also a dynamic city-state alive with excitement, thus the second part begins with a fitting dance, a fastbourrée. As contrast there is a second authentic melody, Dayung Sampan, a more easygoing sailing song. This short but curious suite ends in high spirits with a recapitulation of the beginning. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare