The Tuba Concerto was composed in 1953/4 after the London Symphony Orchestra invited Vaughan Williams to write a work for inclusion in the Orchestra’s fiftieth anniversary concert. The first performance was given by Philip Catelinet in the Royal Festival Hall London on 13th June 1954 with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. The brass band arrangement is by Phillip Littlemore and is a welcome addition to the brass band repertoire.

‘Panem et Circenses’ Bread and Games were essential for keeping the citizens of ancient Rome in check. While the bread was meant for the poorest among the Romans the Games were Popular Pastime Number One for everybody.There were different kinds of games such as chariot races (especially popular with female spectators) or wild-beast fights where lions tigers bulls or bears were set on one another or even on human beings. Most popular however were the Gladiator fights. In ‘Bread and Games’ William Vean depicts one of the many fights in the antique Colosseum. 1. Entrance of the Gladiators: By powerful bugle-calls the attention of the peoplewas asked for after which the Gladiators entered the Arena at the sound of heroic marching-music.2.Swordfight: We can hear that the fights were not mere child’s play in this part.On the contrary they were a matter of life and death and were fought accordingly.3.Mercy of the Emperor: Sometimes a wounded gladiator could be fortunate depending on the mercy of the audience. Waving one’s handkerchief meant mercy a turned-down thumb meant no pardon. The Emperor had the right to take the final decision but he usually complied with the wish of the majority of the public. 4.Lap of Honour: Gladiators were mainly selected among slaves convicted criminals or prisoners of war. Consequently winning was very important as it would mean fame honour and sometimes even wealth. A lap of honour therefore was the winner’s due reward.

A Robbie Williams Medley-Célèbre tant pour ses chansons que pour son excentricité Robbie Williams collectionne les succès et les disques en platine. Cet arrangement de Don Campbell rassemble quatre des plus grands tubes de cette star internationale : Supreme Road to Mandalay Angels et Let Me Entertain You.

Les auteurs-compositeurs Bob Crewe et Bob Gaudio ont formé un tandem couronné de succès. Dans les années 60 et 70 ils signent de nombreux tubes pour Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons dont l?immense standard de l?année 1967 Can?t Take My Eyes Off You. Par la suite une pléiade d?artistes célèbres reprend cette chanson charmante au rythme enlevé. Ainsi The Lettermen Andy Williams Diana Ross & The Supremes Gloria Gaynor The Boystown Gang ou The Pet Shop Boys entre autres (liste non exhaustive) ont inscrit ce classique de la musique pop à leur répertoire. Lorenzo Bocci signe cet arrangement entraînant pour Brass Band.

Austrian composer and organist Franz Xaver Gruber composed the original version of this Christmas work in 1818. It is probably one of the most famous of all Christmas carols and should not be missed from any Christmas concert. American composer William Gordon has produced this arrangement for brass band.