The Unknown Journey fut commandé par le Kwansei Gakuin University Symphony Band un orchestre d?harmonie établi en 1954 qui est désormais l?un des meilleurs orchestres universitaires du Japon. Le compositeur choisit ce titre puisque pendantle développement du morceau il semblait créer son propre élan commençant lentement et accélérant continuellement. Vers la fin il devient progressivement semblable aux dernières mesures de La Valse de Ravel un morceau qui caractériseparfaitement l?idée d?élan irrépressible.

Satoshi Yagisawa a composé cette oeuvre pour l?un de ses amis directeur d?orchestre. Fanfare - Flight to an Unknown World (Vol vers un monde inconnu) est une fanfare brillante et lumineuse suivie d?un choral lyrique créant ainsi un spectaculaire tour de force pour toute ouverture de concert.

In English-speaking countries ‘Away in a Manger’ is one of the first Christmas songs to be taught to little children. It is a moving song with simple words which makes it easy to understand. The song is also known as ‘Luther’s Cradle Hymn’. This suggests that Martin Luther was the author of the lyrics. According to researchers however this is a misconception – the author is unknown. In England ‘Away in a Manger’ is sung to a different melody than in the USA for example. The ‘English’ melody was composed by W.J. Kirkpatrick. Andrew Mackereth made a touching arrangement of the ‘English’ melody which suits the tender lyrics perfectly.

The image of a path not taken may evoke a sense of mystery and excitement at the unknown, as well as the satisfaction of following our own individual path in life - a unique journey different from all others. This engaging work for band follows an arc of emotions ranging from the eager anticipation at the start of a journey; frustration and doubt as the path becomes more difficult and perilous; then elation and joy as the goal is reached and our dreams are realized.

Centenary 2019 is a three-movement suite based on a local folksong and was commissioned by Chr. Fanfare De Lofstem, from the Dutch province of Friesland, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2019. ?Awakening Village?, the first movement, musically describes the waking up and coming to life of the village. ?Bintje Monument? was inspired by a famous sculpture that was placed to honour headmaster Kornelis Lieuwes de Vries (1854-1929) who developed the well-known potato variety called ?bintje?. The finale, ?Journey into the Unknown? refers to the band?s memorable 2011 concert trip to the United States of America, in which the composer combines elements of the folksong and fragments from ?The Star-Spangled Banner?. The piece consists of a wide range of playful and melodic sequences as well as some galvanizing rhythmical passages.

In English-speaking countries ‘Away in a Manger’ is one of the first Christmas songs to be taught to little children. It is a moving song with simple words which makes it easy to understand. The song is also known as ‘Luther’s Cradle Hymn’. This suggests that Martin Luther was the author of the lyrics. According to researchers however this is a misconception – the author is unknown. In England ‘Away in a Manger’ is sung to a different melody than in the USA for example. The ‘English’ melody was composed by W.J. Kirkpatrick. Andrew Mackereth made a touching arrangement of the ‘English’ melody which suits the tender lyrics perfectly.

In Scotland the monster of Loch Ness is a hot issue but the American state of Montana enjoys a comparable phenomenon going by the name of Montana Nessie. In the western part of this remote state lies Flathead Lake: a lake of 45 kilometres /38miles in lenght and 24 kilometres /15 miles breath. At several places its depth exeeds 100 metres.Nessies discovery takes us back to the year 1889 when captain James Kerr aboard the passengership U.S.Grant was startled by a ship unknown to himsuddenly approaching his vessel across Flathead Lake. However it turned out not to be a ship but an undefinable animal of immense size.From that moment onwards life would never be the same again in and around Flathead Lake.The composer wasinspired by the story and summarized the events into a symphonic poem but from a surprising angle:that of the monster. The exiting opening allows us to follow the monster in its natural surroundings.The fast follow-up movement depictsMontana Nessie trotting and frolicking about the Montana woods and prairies.From its abode it thorougly enjoys everything around it. This period abruptly ends in a short climax (Chimes). The solo for cor anglais marks a new period in themonsters life.The presence of people has a paralizing effect and the apprehensive atmosphere of the slow movement may be felt profoundly.The monster observes and mildly teases the ship. Abhor sounds force the ship to a withdrawal.The movingmusical continuation depicts the triumphant monster dancing an ironic waltz. The monsters fear and anger at the intrusion of his freedom run through the piece like continuous threads and develop into the works final theme.

In Scotland the monster of Loch Ness is a hot issue but the American state of Montana enjoys a comparable phenomenon going by the name of Montana Nessie. In the western part of this remote state lies Flathead Lake: a lake of 45 kilometres /38miles in lenght and 24 kilometres /15 miles breath. At several places its depth exeeds 100 metres.Nessies discovery takes us back to the year 1889 when captain James Kerr aboard the passengership U.S.Grant was startled by a ship unknown to himsuddenly approaching his vessel across Flathead Lake. However it turned out not to be a ship but an undefinable animal of immense size.From that moment onwards life would never be the same again in and around Flathead Lake.The composer wasinspired by the story and summarized the events into a symphonic poem but from a surprising angle:that of the monster. The exiting opening allows us to follow the monster in its natural surroundings.The fast follow-up movement depictsMontana Nessie trotting and frolicking about the Montana woods and prairies.From its abode it thorougly enjoys everything around it. This period abruptly ends in a short climax (Chimes). The solo for cor anglais marks a new period in themonsters life.The presence of people has a paralizing effect and the apprehensive atmosphere of the slow movement may be felt profoundly.The monster observes and mildly teases the ship. Abhor sounds force the ship to a withdrawal.The movingmusical continuation depicts the triumphant monster dancing an ironic waltz. The monsters fear and anger at the intrusion of his freedom run through the piece like continuous threads and develop into the works final theme.