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.

Rondeau of the Shepherds ' so ran the official title of the famous Dutch Christmas carol ‘Midden in de winternacht’. In 1948 wrote Dutch poet and writer Harry Prenen this text. The melody is known by the 17th/18th- century organ composers of suites Daquin Balbastre and Dandrieu. 'Rondeau of the Shepherds' was subtitled 'Catalan Christmas Carol'. The song itself is because its origins in a Spanish (Catalan probably) Christmas song from the late Middle Ages 'El Desembre congelat. The motives of this song (shepherds flutes drums) demonstrate knowledge of the Bible and give a picture of the late medieval Christmas experience. . Perfect as an uptempo intermezzoin a church service.

Singapura Suite was commissioned by Singapore's Ministry of Education Extracurricular Activities Branch to serve as a compulsory piece for the 1999 Singapore Youth Festival.'Singapura' is the original name of Singapore in Malay the native language there. Because Singapore is one of the most important harbors in the world this two-piece work opens with a seaman's dance. An authentic melody Chan Mali Chan is woven into the middle of this first part whose ABA form becomes clear through the recapitulation of the seaman's dance in a somewhat altered form.Singapore is also a dynamic city-state alive with excitement thus the second part begins with a fitting dance a fastbourrée. As contrast there is a second authentic melody Dayung Sampan a more easygoing sailing song. This short but curious suite ends in high spirits with a recapitulation of the beginning.

Energetic music which invites you to dance because it is hard to keep still with this shuffle. And you don't have to. Feel like a fish in water in this Seafood Shuffle which includes some flashy solos. Solo parts in C Eb and Bb are included.

Fanitullen is a lively beautiful ‘Sl?tt’ i.e. an old Norwegian melody which is played on a traditional ‘Hardingfele’ (Hardanger fiddle).Because of its violent rhythm and exciting character playing a Fanitullen for a long time was considered improper. It was believed that a person playing this melody would come under the influence of the devil. Therefore Fanitullen could be regarded as a kind of Rock’n Roll from the 18th century.Tom Brevik’s adaptation is based on a composition for piano by Ole Olsen (1850-1927) Fanitullen is een levendige mooie ‘Sl?tt’ een oude Noorse melodie die gespeeld word op een traditionele ‘Hardingfele’ (Hardanger viool).Door de heftigeritmiek en het opzwepende karakter werd het spelen van een Fanitullen gedurende lange tijd als niet kies beschouwd. Er zouden invloeden van de duivel in schuilen. Fanitullen zou daarom misschien wel als een soort Rock’n Roll van de 18e eeuw gezien kunnen worden.De bewerking van Tom Brevik is gebaseerd op een compositie voor piano van Ole Olsen (1850-1927)

Composed during the summer of 1988. Commissioned by The Norwegian Brass Band Club First performed in the Grieg Hall¬? at the 10th Anniversary Concert for the Norwegian Championship Bergen February 1989. EBML conducted by Michael Antrobus. The work is important for me because it was my first piece to be played outside Norway. Black Dyke/David King performed it and did a recording of it in 1991. The composer: In the original score I quote a Swedish bishop (Olaus Mangnus) who lived in the 15th century. He travelled around Scandinavia and drew maps - very important historic material. When he came to the north of Norway (where I come from) hedescribed the wind from the north as Ciricus: (something like) Worst of all winds is Circius that revolves(?= turn upside down) heaven and earth. (Well not a good translation I¬?m afraid). The fast sections reflects the mighty winds from the north. In the middle section I borrowed a folksong-like tune (by C. Elling a norwegian composer). The text (by Kristoffer Janson) tells about old times when the fishermen used open boats: they had to put their lives in the hands of God. De opening en het slot van dit werk beschrijven 'Circius' de wind die hemel en aarde verwoest. Het middendeel is een bewerking van het Noorse volkslied 'The fisherman's speech to his son'. De inhoud van het lied komt overeen met Circius. De vader verzoekt zijn zoon de krachten van de natuur te trotseren maar bovenal te respecteren. Een kort doch spectaculair concertwerk dat het gehele orkest in de greep heeft.

Composer Peter Martin received his inspiration from the period of the versatile Henry VIII and the accompanying sparkling late-medieval music. At Henry's Table describes the atmosphere at the court of the English king. Music that stays with you because it is so special.

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!