A late starter in music? After the 1841 premiere which was anything but promising, Schumann did not deal with his Fourth Symphony and put the finishing touches to it until 10 years later. One of its most remarkable features is its structure. The individual movements - none of which is really completed - shall follow each other without a break, thus leading to a great one-movement structure. The work is pervaded by common thematic, rhythmic and harmonic connections. In 1841, such an approach to the symphonic form was still unusual. In the second half of the 19th century, however, it was widely applied. / Orchestre

1. FOURTHS: A medium-tempo swing with chord progression by fourths.2. PITCH-MATCHING: Bright swing with cross-sectional pitch-matching in Concert Bb and F.3. MODAL WALTZ: Moderate swing in 3/4 that employs the Cand F dorian modes.4. FULL CIRCLE WITH SAX UNISON: Chords in the circle of fourths (key: F Concert) with a unison sax line to aid tuning.5. BONE-MODALE: In a groove a la Miles Davis and in the G minor mode the'bones are in unison.6. COOL BOSSA: Concert F laid back and lush. Great for sectional/tutti balance and for phrasing the bossa.7. LIP-SLUR CHROMATIC: A cut-time lip slur workout for the brass with sax chordsdescending in half-steps.8. IT'S THE Bb GOSPEL: A moderate gospel swing with a unison melody line passed around the sections plus a big finish for practicing dynamics.9. SAMBANICE: Concert Bb with an easy“two” feel. Unison lines and nice chord changes for sectional and ensemble listening.10. TRUMPET-TUNE: This medium swing in Eb gives trumpets the lead over a sax/'bone rhythmic backup figure.

Solo for Eb Horn and Brass Band-Irish Mood was written in a classic ‘theme and variations’ construction opening with an Irish-inspired melodic theme which is then followed by four variations of divergent character. After the introduction of the theme by the soloist the cornets and trombones play the main melody in Variation 1 while the soloist provides a flowing counter melody. Next comes the highly extrovert and lively Variation 2 contrasted by an introverted Variation 3 in a minor key. A masterful tutti (Variation 4) then leads the piece toward a brilliant ending.

Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen?s (1964) way of composing can be described as: uncompromising wilful and contemporary. It is not surprising therefore that this occasionally causes a stir. In the middle of the Seventies a trend arose in youth culture which was characterized by provocation distrust of the great ideologies and the autonomy of the individual. Punk is playful aggressive often humorous and anti-everything which inevitably leads to self-irony. The first part of Aagaard-Nielsen?s composition (Introduction) is a texture based mainly on one short theme. This pompous theme breathes a spirit of cold empty plains where icy winds sigh around yourhead. In the vehement Punk (Presto barbaro!) there is no longer any question of a theme. The basis for this part is formed by a repetitive motif (a descending minor third). This motif is alternated with very powerful percussion beats and later on shrill harmonies. De wijze van componeren van Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen (1964) laat zich omschrijven als: compromisloos eigenzinnig en eigentijds. Niet verwonderlijk dat dit af en toe wat stof doet opwaaien. Midden zeventiger jaren ontstaat er een stroming binnen de jongerencultuur die provocatie wantrouwen tegen de grote ideologieën en de autonomie van het individu centraal stelt. Punk is speels agressief veelal humoristisch en anti-alles wat onvermijdelijk leidt tot zelfspot. Het eerste deel (Introduction) is een weefsel gebaseerd op voornamelijk één kort thema. Het pompeuze thema ademt de sfeer van kille lege vlakten waar de ijzige wind je om de oren suist. Tijdens de ?heftige? Punk (Presto barbaro!) is van een thema geen sprake meer. De basis voor dit deel is een steeds herhalend motief (dalende kleine terts). Dit motief wordt afgewisseld met zeer krachtige percussie slagen en later schrille samenklanken. Dit alles zorgt voor een bombastisch geheel. Aan het slot van de Punk horen we het intoductie-thema tussen het punkgeweld door terugkomen.