SKU: BT.GOB-000803-120

‘Panem et Circenses’, Bread and Games were essential for keeping the citizens of ancient Rome in check.
While the bread was meant for the poorest among the Romans, the Games were Popular Pastime Number One for everybody.
There were different kinds of games, such as chariot races (especially popular with female spectators), or wild-beast fights, where lions, tigers, bulls or bears were set on one another or even on human beings. Most popular, however, were the Gladiator fights.

In ‘Bread and Games’ William Vean depicts one of the many fights in the antique Colosseum.
1. Entrance of the Gladiators: By powerful bugle-calls the attention of the peoplewas asked for, after which the Gladiators entered the Arena at the sound of heroic marching-music.
2.Swordfight: We can hear that the fights were not mere child’s play in this part.On the contrary, they were a matter of life and death and were fought accordingly.
3.Mercy of the Emperor: Sometimes a wounded gladiator could be fortunate, depending on the mercy of the audience. Waving one’s handkerchief meant mercy, a turned-down thumb meant no pardon. The Emperor had the right to take the final decision, but he usually complied with the wish of the majority of the public.
4.Lap of Honour: Gladiators were mainly selected among slaves, convicted criminals, or prisoners of war. Consequently, winning was very important, as it would mean fame, honour and sometimes even wealth. A lap of honour, therefore, was the winner’s due reward.

‘Panem et Circenses’, brood en (circus)spelen, essentieel in het Romeinse leven om de burgers in het gareel te houden.
Het brood was vooral voor de allerarmsten bedoeld, maar de spelen, dat was volksvermaak nummer één.
Erwaren verschillende soorten spelen, de Strijdwagen racen, vooral in trek bij de vrouwen, de dierengevechten of jachtpartijen, waar leeuwen, tijgers, buffels of beren tegen elkaar of tegen mensen opgehitst werden. Maar favoriet warentoch wel de gevechten der Gladiatoren.

William Vean beschrijft in ‘Bread and Games’ één van de vele gevechten in het aloude Colosseum.
1. Entrance of the Gladiators: Met krachtige (hoorn)signalen wordt de aandachtvan het volk gevraagd waarna de Gladiatoren op heldhaftige marsmuziek de Arena binnentreden.
2. Swordfight: Dat de gevechten geen kinderspel waren horen we in dit deel. Het gaat er hard aan toe, en de gevechten waren vaak op levenen dood.
3. Mercy of the Emperor: In enkele gevallen had een gewonde Gladiator geluk. Dit hing af van de stemming van het publiek. Wapperende zakdoeken betekende geluk, met de duim naar beneden wijzen betekende geen pardon.De Keizer had het laatste woord maar volgde meestal de stemming van het publiek.
4. Lap of Honour: Gladiatoren werden meestal uit slaven, veroordeelde misdadigers of krijgsgevangen geselecteerd. Winnen was daarom erg belangrijk.Dit betekende roem, eer en soms zelfs rijkdom. (vergelijkbaar met onze sporthelden) Een ereronde was dus wel op zijn plaats.

SKU: BT.GOB-000652-020

In a four-part composition Rieks van der Velde takes us to the richly varied area surrounding the university city of Cambridge.
The Dutch composer was especially inspired by the atmosphere of Cambridgeshire, the county which lies north of London.

1. The Journey.
Although on arrival the area looks peaceful and friendly, the ruggedness of its inhabitants and landscape have an unmistakable influence on the music.
In the course of the tour, which starts with an Allegro movement, we are shown the vitality, energy and freshness of the Cambridgeshire countryside.
Short themes, swift and sudden motifs and rhythmical patterns supported by the drive ofpercussion instruments give expression to this image.
The first part is concluded by two 'Calmo' movements in which the music expresses how the cathedral in the city of Ely comes into sight and is gradually approached.

2. Visit to Ely Cathedral.
The famous Norman cathedral church of Ely, which was built in 1109, has attracted tourists from all over the world apart from being a place of worship and heritage site.
A cornet solo introduces the contemplative mood of the composition at this point.
The mystical atmosphere of the cathedral runs through this lyrical part like a continuous thread.

3. The Pub.
The thirst caused by this intensive journey makes a visit to the local pub a definite must.
These “public houses”, which may be open until the early hours of the morning, offer all kinds of entertainment.
Drinks are served liberally and the atmosphere is lively.

4. The Journey Back.
Time has flown: In other words, the moment of departure has come sooner than one would have wished.
In a flashback which recaptures elements of the first part of the composition we say goodbye to Cambridgeshire in a fitting manner.
Two scintillating final measures bring us abruptly back to the present.

In een viertal delen neemt Rieks van der Velde ons mee door de zeer gevarieerde streek rond de universiteitsstad Cambridge.
De Nederlandse componist liet zich inspireren door vooral de sfeer in het graafschap Cambridgeshire tennoorden van Londen.

1. The Journey.
De aankomst in de streek is vriendelijk te noemen doch de grilligheid van de mensen en het landschap heeft een onmiskenbare invloed op de muziek.
De rondreis welke start op hetAllegro laat Cambridgeshire zien als een streek van vitaliteit, energie en frisheid.
Korte thema's, flitsende motiefjes en ritmische patroontjes gesteund door stuwend slagwerk bevestigen dit beeld.
Het eerste gedeelte besluitmet twee 'Calmo' gedeelten waarbij het zicht op de kathedraal van de stad Ely en het naderen ervan wordt aangegeven.

2. Visit to Ely Cathedral.
In 1109 werd de beroemde kathedraal van Ely gebouwd die tot op de dagvan vandaag een grote aantrekkingskracht geniet van niet alleen toeristen.
Het rustpunt van de compositie wordt ingeleid door een cornetsolo.
De mystieke sfeer van de kathedraal is de rode draad in dit lyrische gedeelte.

3. The Pub.
Een intensieve rondreis maakt dorstig en een bezoek aan de pub is uiteraard een must.
Tot 11 uur 's avonds kan men er terecht voor alle vormen van vertier. De drank vloeit rijkelijk en de sfeer is feestelijk.

4. The Journey Back.
Er is een tijd van komen en gaan, en dat moment komt eerder dan je zou willen met andere woorden de tijd is omgevlogen.
Met een flash back naar het eerste deel wordt op passende wijze afscheidgenomen van Cambridgeshire.
Twee flitsende slotmaten zetten ons in één klap weer in het hier en nu.

SKU: BT.DHP-0900226-120

This major concert work cosists o five movements.1st movement: La Laguna del ShimbeSituated high up in the Andes mountains in Northern Peru are the Huaringas, a group of lagoons in isolated and mysterious surroundings. The water has healing powersand for centuries traditional healers have settled there in small villages. From far the sick come to the Huaringas to be treated in nightly rituals, in which the hallucinating juice of the San Pedro cactus gives the prophet a look inside hispatient. The biggest lagoon is the “Laguna del Shimbe”, one of the countless wells of the immense Amazon stream.2nd movement: Los AguarunasFurther downstream in Northern Peru we come across the rain tribe of Los Aguarunas. It’s a proud, beautiful andindependent race, which has never succumbed to domination, not even from the Incas. They live from everything the forest has to offer: fish, fruit, plants, ... . They also grow some crops and live as semi-nomads. They take their fate into their ownhands and after having made contact with modern civilisation, they have integrated new elements into their lives without betraying their own ways.3rd movement: MekaronMekaron is an Indian word meaning “picture”, “soul”, “essence”. The Indians are theorigina inhabitants of the Amazon region. They either live in one place as a group or move around a large region. They all have their own political system, their own language and an intense social life. At the same time they are master of music andmedicine. “Everywhere the white man goes, he leaves a wilderness behind him”, wrote the North American Indian leader Seatl in 1885. As a result of these contacts with the whites, the disruption of most Indian societies began. (In this century alone,80 tribes have vanished completely).4th movement: KêêtuajêThis is the name of the initiating ceremony of the Krahô tribe in the Brazilian state of Goias, in which young boys and girls enter adult life. They are cleansed with water, painted with redpaint and covered with feathers, after which the ritual dance holds the entire tribe spell-bound.5th movement: Paulino FaiakanIn 1988 the Indian chiefs Faiakan and Raoni Kaiapo came to Europe to protest against the building of the Altamira dam inBrazil. As a result of the dam the Indians would be driven from their traditional land and enormous artificial would be created. The project was supported financially by, amongst others, the European Community. In February 1989 the Indian tribesaround Altamira held a protest march for the first time in their history together. Amongst other things they paid tribute tot Chico Mendez, who, murdered in 1988, was the leader of the rubber syndicate and a fierce opponent of the destruction of theBrazilian rain forest. Brazilian and world opinion was awakened. The building of the dam was -albeit temporarily - stopped.

SKU: BT.GOB-000806-120

In the tripartite 'Cowboy Suite' Alan Laken takes us to the Wild West, the domain of cowboys, indians, trappers and other fortune hunters.
Around 1890 the west coast of America was reached, which in effect meant the end of the Wild West.
Its stories, however, survived and have been a source of inspiration for many books, films, and, of course, music. Some characters, such as Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and Buffalo Bill are forever linked to these tales.

In the 'Cowboy Suite' we first hear the 'Hoedown'. At the end of an exhausting workday the labourers used to lay down their tools, among others the 'hoes' and spontaneously began to play music on the instruments which they then possessed (guitars, fiddles, and banjos) and to dance.
After being jolted on the 'Wagon Trail' we reach the third part, the 'Cowboy Roundup'. In this last part it becomes clear that as a cattle driver it is imperative to stay firmly seated in the saddle. As the cattle are rounded up, i.e. driven together, spectacular things happen.

In de driedelige 'Cowboy Suite' neemt Alan Laken ons mee naar het 'Wilde Westen', het domein van cowboys, indianen, pelsjagers en andere gelukzoekers.
Rond 1890, werd de westkust van Amerika bereikt, dit betekende het eindevan het Wilde Westen.
Maar de verhalen bleven en waren een bron voor vele boeken, films en natuurlijk muziek. Enkele personages die onlosmakelijk verbonden zijn met deze verhalen zijn: Jesse James, Billy the Kid, en BuffaloBill.

In de 'Cowboy Suite' horen we eerst de ‘Hoedown’. Aan het einde van een zware werkdag legden de landarbeiders hun werktuig, o.a. de 'Hoe' (schoffel) neer en begonnen met de dan beschikbare instrumenten (Gitaar, Fiddleen Banjo) spontaan te musiceren en te dansen.
In de ‘Wagon Trial’ hobbelen we naar het derde deel, de ‘Cowboy Roundup’. Dat je als veedrijver goed in je zadel moet zitten blijkt wel in het laatste deel. Tijdens de 'Roundup'(het bijeendrijven van het vee) gaat het er spectaculair aan toe.

SKU: BT.GOB-000432-120

The Odyssee tells the story of Odysseus, the undaunted hero.
In times long ago the blind poet Homer wrote this famous epic.
The Odyssey follows the Iliad, the story of the bloody war between the Greek and the Trojans. This battle endsafter ten years thanks to the Odysseys famous trick. the Trojan Horse.
The Odyssey is not a war epic, but a story about perseverance, loyalty, adventure, and the survival instinct of its ingenious hero.
In The Odyssey, Homer describes howOdysseus, the king of Ithaca, had to endure another ten years of affliction after the ten years of war in Troy before he could finally return to his home land.
During those years, his wife, Penelope, had to try and keep her many admirers away.These men not only wanted het hand but also the kingship. To prove her husbands worth, she played a trick: As soon as I have finished weaving this shroud for my father-in-law, Laertes, I will choose one of you to become my husband, she promisedthem.
But during the night, she secretly loosened what she had woven during the day, prolonging the time until Odysseus would finally return. After twenty long years, when he finally stood at the door, she wondered: Is this really my husband? Ishe an imposter? Cunningly, she asked him to move the bed, because only she and her husband know that the bed was immovable and was build around an old three trunk! Odysseus was deeply moved: this really was his wife, his Penelope!
Nearly threethousands years later, the loyalty and strength of this character, and all the dangerous adventures that Odysseus survived thanks to courage and intelligence, still moves us today.

Odyssee by Jan Bosveld is not just an adventure story, butrather a characteristic piece in which memories of Homers story can be heard.
The composition opens with a firm, stirring theme describing our hero, Odysseus, in detail: This man is not to be taken lightly.
The further development of thisshort introduction completes this character sketch: trustworthy, perseverant, and a genius.
After that we can picture Odysseus on the lonely beach of Ogygia. Do the trumpets depict his memories of the war of Troy? Does he think of his wife, as werecognise the weaving loom of Penelope in the murmuring eighth?
In the solemn, plaintive part that follows, we can imagine Penelope feeling lonely, sitting in the womens room with her servants.One of the girls plays the harp, but that does notclear the sombre atmosphere. Then we can imagine seeing the sorceress Circe, who changed Odysseus men into swine. After she gives a simple magic sign something follows that reminds us of the sound of pigs grunting. Then the Odysseus theme resounds:the hero comes to savi his comrades. Assisted by Hermes, he forces Circe to lift the spell.
The piece ends the same way as it began, with an animated theme: Odysseus is still the same, undefeated and not to be taken lighty!

Het muzikale relaas van de Griekse schrijver Homerus over de held Odyssee in een karakterstuk vol herinneringen.
Een stevig opgewekt thema symboliseert de grootsheid van Odyssee en zijn karaktertrekken - betrouwbaar, volhardend en vernuftig. Detegenslagen welke hij tegenkomt en in het tweede tragische gedeelte dreigen te escaleren, nemen in het derde snelle gedeelte bij zijn verschijning toch weer een positieve wending.
Nijmegenaar Jan Bosveld bewijst in dit originele werk dat hij opde hoogte is van de onmogelijkheden, maar vooral de ongekende mogelijkheden van muzikanten uit de lagere afdelingen.

Gobelin Music Publications.

SKU: BT.GOB-000854-020

The tradition of the Christmas tree in Western Europe dates back to a time long before any Christianization had taken place. During the severely cold winter nights, so it was believed, evil spirits tried to ‘kill’ nature. Needle-leaved trees were the only ones which kept their green colour throughout the year, and therefore became symbols of immortality. These ‘living’ trees, said to be the work of benign spirits, were brought into people’s houses to ward off evil, life-threatening powers. In the 14th century people first started to decorate Christmas trees. It was a pagan custom, originated by the inhabitants of Alsace. This custom was taken over by the Church in thecourse of the 15th and 16th century. At first the decoration consisted mainly of edibles, such as apples and wafers, but later small presents were added. Legend has it that the reformer Martin Luther was the first person to decorate a Christmas tree with candles. The flickering candle flames were meant to create the image of a starry sky in which Christ’s apparition could be recognized. The German organ-player Ernst Anschütz from Leipzig was the first person to notate the song ‘O Tannenbaum’, the melody being a well-known folk song. Next to ‘Stille Nacht’ ‘O Tannenbaum’ is the most famous German Christmas song, now known throughout the world. In the United States of America the melody of ‘O Tannenbaum’ has even been used in four States (among which the State of Maryland) for their State song. In David Well’s arrangement the song is first heard as many of us know it. After this introduction, however, it is transformed into a solid rock version, and the beat has been changed. In the second part the familiar three-four time is back, but here the rhythm is different from the original. After the richly ornamented rock beat the basic theme can be heard once again and the composition is concluded in a festive manner.

De traditie van de ‘Kerstboom’ gaat in West-Europa terug tot ver voordat er van enige kerstening sprake was. Gedurende de koude strenge winters dacht men dat kwade geesten de natuur ‘vermoordde’. Naaldbomen behielden als enige hungroene kleur en werden daardoor symbolen van onsterflijkheid. Deze ‘levende’ bomen, het werk van goede machten, werden in huis gehaald om kwade geesten en levensbedreigende krachten buitenshuis te houden. Van ‘versierde’ kerstbomenwas het eerst sprake in de 14e eeuw. Het was een heidens gebruik, dat in deze periode in de Elzas voorkwam. Tijdens de 15e en 16e eeuw werd het versieren van de kerstboom door de kerk overgenomen. De versiering bestond in eersteinstantie vooral uit etenswaar, als appels en koekjes. Later ging men ook kleine cadeautjes als versiering gebruiken. Er wordt beweerd dat Martin Luther, de hervormer, als eerste kaarsen in een kerstboom deed. De fonkelendevlammetjes creëerden een sterrenhemel waarin men Christus’ verschijning leek te herkennen. De Duitse organist Ernst Anschütz uit Leipzig, was de eerste die het lied ‘O Tannenbaum’ op schrift stelde. De melodie was een bekend volkswijsje.Naast ‘Stille Nacht’ is ‘O Tannenbaum’ het meest bekende kerstlied dat vanuit Duitsland de hele wereld veroverde. De melodie van ‘O Tannenbaum’ wordt zelfs in de Verenigde Staten van Amerika in vier verschillende staten(o.a. Maryland) als volkslied gebruikt. In het arrangement van David Well hoort u het lied eerst op de manier zoals velen het kennen. Na deze inleiding klinkt een stevige rock-versie en is de maatsoort niet meer de gebruikelijke.Het tussendeel is weer in de vertrouwde driekwarts-maatsoort. Hier is echter de ritmiek in een ander jasje gestoken. Na de rijkelijk met slingers versierde rock-beat klinkt nog één keer het oorspronkelijke thema om daarna feestelijk.

SKU: BT.GOB-000865-020

The Yiddish word ‘Klezmer’ has been derived from the Old Hebrew words ‘Kley’ (tool, instrument) and ‘Zemer’ (song, singing, making music).
Klezmer is the traditional music of Jews from Eastern Europe.Yiddish musicians (Klezmorim) were regularly invited to come and play at Yiddish weddings as well as several other Jewish celebrations and festive occasions.
Despite its close connection with traditional Eastern European folk music, Klezmer music has succeeded in preserving its distinctive Jewish character.

‘Klezmer Discovery’ is a voyage of discovery through the richly varied music of the Jewish people from Eastern Europe.
The introduction consists of anumber of motives from different traditional melodies (a Mitzve Tenzel and L’cha Dodi), followed by a melody in 3/8th time (Kandel’s Hora). This dance melody originally came from Bessarabia (present-day Moldavia) and was taken along to America by Jewish musicians round 1900.
Subsequently, ‘Der Terk in Amerika’, a composition by famous clarinet player Naftule Brandwein can be heard.
A number of fast, cheerful dance melodies (bulgars) form the finale of ‘Klezmer Discovery’ (Lebedyk un Freylekh, Lomir sich iberbetn and Sherele).

Het Jiddische woord ‘Klezmer’ stamt af van de oud-Hebreeuwse woorden ‘Kley’ (werktuig, instrument) en ‘Zemer’ (lied, gezang, musiceren).
Klezmer is de traditionele muziek van de Joden in Oost-Europa.
Jiddische muzikanten (Klezmorim)werden geregeld uitgenodigd om te komen spelen op traditionele Jiddische bruiloften en diverse andere Joodse feesten en gelegenheden.
Ondanks de sterke verwantschap met de traditionele volksmuziek uit Oost-Europa, heeftde klezmermuziek een duidelijk Joods karakter weten te behouden.

‘Klezmer Discovery’ is een ontdekkingstocht door de rijk gevarieerde muziek van de Joden in Oost-Europa.
De inleiding bestaat uit een aantal motieven vanverschillende traditionele melodieën (a Mitzve Tenzel en L’cha Dodi).
Daarna volgt een melodie in 3/8e maat (Kandel’s Hora). Deze dansmelodie komt oorspronkelijk uit Bessarabië (het tegenwoordige Moldavië) en is door Joodsemuzikanten zo rond 1900 meegenomen naar Amerika.
Vervolgens klinkt ‘Der Terk in Amerika’, een compositie van de befaamde klarinetist Naftule Brandwein.
Een aantal snelle, vrolijke dansmelodieën (bulgars) vormen het slot van‘Klezmer Discovery’ (Lebedyk un Freylekh, Lomir sich iberbetn en Sherele).

SKU: BT.GOB-000957-120

Scottish Dances is based on three Scottish traditionals: Cock of the North, The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond and Marie's Wedding.

I. Cock of the North's name is used for multiple things or events. For example for a locomotive to a famous, it seems, delicious liqueur, and rallies to snowboard competitions. Furthermore is Cock O' the North a nickname of a famous Duke. (The 4th Duke of Gordon).
In this composition Cock of the North (a Jig) is a traditional Scottish bagpipe tune, regularly played on tattoos by Pipe Bands. Not infrequently the drummers sing the text.

Auntie Mary, had a canary,
Up the leg of her trousers
While she was sleeping Iwas peeping
Up the leg of her trousers.

II. The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond is about a sad story that took place during an revolt against the British. In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie had to retreat. Two of his men were captured. One was convicted and executed, while the other was released. The spirit of the executed soldier would arrive in Scotland via the 'low road' (underworld) before his companion, who had still a long way to go.

You'll take the high road
And I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

III. In a Scottish wedding, after the official ceremonies, there is often danced. This is called a ceilidh. For this we use traditional Scottish music such as Marie's Wedding '.
Mid dance we go back to the church, where a lovely song in honor of the couple sounds.
Marie's Wedding has been recorded by Van Morrison (among many others).

Step we gaely, on we go, heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and on we go, all for Marie's wedding

Scottish Dances is gebaseerd op drie Schotse traditionals: Cock of the North, The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond en Marie's Wedding.

I. De naam Cock of the North wordt voor meerdere dingen of evenementen gebruikt. Van een beroemdelocomotief tot een, naar het schijnt, een heerlijke likeur, en van rally's tot snowboard wedstrijden. Bovendien was 'Cock O' the North' een bijnaam van een bekende hertog. (the 4th Duke of Gordon)
Het in deze compositiegebruikte Cock of the North (een Jig) is een traditioneel Schotse bagpipe tune (doedelzak liedje) wat regelmatig gespeeld wordt op taptoes door Pipebands. Niet zelden zingen de slagwerkers de tekst mee.

Auntie Mary, had acanary,
Up the leg of her trousers
While she was sleeping I was peeping
Up the leg of her trousers.

II. 'The Bonnie Bank's O'Loch Lomond', gaat over een triest verhaal dat zich afspeelde tijdens een opstand tegende Engelsen. In 1745 moest Bonnie Prince Charlie zich terugtrekken. Twee van zijn mannen werden gevangen genomen. Eén van hen werd veroordeeld en geexecuteerd, terwijl de ander vrijgelaten werd. De geest van de geexecuteerde soldaatzou via de 'low road' (onderwereld) eerder in Schotland aankomen dan zijn kameraad, die nog een lange ruige weg te gaan had.

You'll take the high road
And I'll take the low road
And I'll be in Scotland aforeye
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond

III. Bij een Schotse bruiloft wordt na de officiele plechtigheden vaak gedanst. Dit noemt men een ceilidh. Hiervoor gebruiktmen traditionele Schotse muziek zoals bijv. 'Marie's Wedding'.
Halverwege de dans gaan we nog even terug naar de kerk, waar een lieflijk lied ter ere van het bruidspaar klinkt.
Marie's Wedding is o.a. door Van Morrison opgenomen.