Par DVORAK ANTONIN. The profound impression it makes on us is due in part to the sequence of variations on a death motif that seems to have been borrowed from the beginning of the second Kyrie from Bach's Mass in B minor. Written in 1890, it was commissioned by the publisher Novello for the Birmingham Music Festival and premiered there under the direction of the composer on 9 October 1891. For this performance, Dvorák used a copy of the score which he had personally examined and which later served as the engraver's copy. The Dvorák scholar Klaus Döge succeeded in tracking down its location and evaluating this important source for the first time. It contains the 'Fassung letzter Hand' and, moreover, offers valuable insights into Dvorák's conducting workshop. It served as the principal source for the Breitkopf Urtext edition./ Répertoire / Ensemble à Vent

Standard US Set (without european suppl. parts)-Commissioned by the Michigan State University Alumni Band this three movement work by Karel Husa was the winner of the first Louis Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition in 1983. A note from thecomposer: 'Divided into three movements this work is a display of virtuoso passages given to solo instruments as well as to the groups of the ensemble. In the Fanfare of the first movement the Brass section concertises in groupsof four Brass quintets (2 Trumpets Horn Trombone and Tuba or Baritone) spread from left to right in back. The Saxophones (SATB) are placed in front of the Brass quintets and the Woodwinds occupy the front of the stage withPercussion on the left and right side. These groups like the Brass quintets play in the concertante style particularly in the first and last movements. 'At the same time each movement contains individual solo passages(for example Timpani and Flute in Movement I - Drum Ceremony and English Horn and other low Woodwinds in Movement II - Elegy). The composition of this piece was prompted by the excellence of Wind and Percussion players today andby the incredible growth of Wind ensembles orchestras and bands in the last 25 years. It is intended for their enjoyment.'

Par HIGGINS GAVIN. Der Aufstand (German for 'riot') is not a descriptive work, nor is it solely based on the riots of 2011. It does, however, draw on the idea of opposing forces and escalating anger. The work falls into two contrasting sections that are linked by a series of repeated, 'screaming' chords. A slow build drives the first section from a single pitch to a blazing orchestral tutti. The second section is a fast and wild series of fanfares and driving rhythms that ultimately cannot be sustained. In many ways this mirrors the first. Both sections open on single tones (Bb and E) and grow to a climax of brass and hammered chords. The first performance took place on the last day of the 2012 Olympic Games. Der Aufstand is a noisy antithesis to the celebratory fanfare. Wind Band Grade: 6 (Professional and elite student and 'national' bands) Duration: 10 minutes/ Répertoire / Ensemble à Vent

These three short ‘pictures’ were inspired by several visits to a small part of the American East Coast an area which provides great extremes in the geography and the people.'Shelter Island' is a small island situated almost at the end of Long Island a few hours drive east of New York. In the summer it becomes a crowded tourist trap but in the winter it is gloriously deserted and bravely faces the onslaught of the turbulent Atlantic shrouded in sea mists and driving rain. In upstate New York lie 'The Catskills' Mountains an extraordinary combination of tranquillity and power peace and majesty. Once seen they call you back again and again.New York - or to be more precise Manhattan. For anyone who is familiar with this bizarre and wonderful city this ‘picture’ needs no explanation. For those not yet hooked here is a small foretaste of things to come!