Arne Nordheim's Violin Concerto was composed in 1996 as a commission from the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra for Arve Tellefsen.The solo part has the leading role in the work and is very difficult to play. The composer and Arve Tellefsen therefore were very much in contact with each other during the composition of the work. Arne Nordheim says that for this concerto like in other works he has composed ideas have come to him so to speak out of nowhere. ’It is as if parts of me are extreme; that which is low down or high up that which is very weak or very strong’. The composer has himself told how he has worked withgradual condensation and dissolution in the concerto. It is possible to hear continuous changes of mood in the work but the fundamental mood is according to Nordheim sadness.

Based on the famous Canadian Brass version by master arranger Luther Henderson here is a wonderful adaptation for concert band by Michael Brown. Opening with a bluesy medium swing feel the tuba section is featured on the melodyalong with a small group of players. Mid-way through the arrangement the style changes to an up-tempo Dixieland style with the melody cleverly traded between various sections of the band. This rousing number is sure to be afavorite.

Fool Me Once from the Jazz Band Series is designed for high school and advanced junior high school band. Full instrumentation includes 5 saxophones, 8 brass and 4 rhythm parts. Optional parts include flute, B-flat clarinet, tuba, horn in F, vibraphone, and baritone T.C./tenor sax. All solos are written out with chord changes, the rhythm section parts suggest chord voicings and rhythms and guitar chord frames are provided to assist young guitarists. / Ensemble De Jazz