Par DE HAAN JACOB. The Book of Urizen is a work for concert band, solo soprano, and a male narrator in which sound collages of religious expressions are used. The piece is inspired by the compelling visionary poem of the same name (which the poet illustratedhimself) by the Englishman William Blake (1757-1827), who occupies a unique position in western literature and the visual arts. He was not just a poet and a writer, but he was also a graphic artist, a painter, an illustrator, a spiritualist, areligious visionary, and a mystic philosopher. For the performance of this work, a professional sound system, including two microphones and a CD player, is needed. The three sound collages are three separate tracks on the enclosed CD and can beplayed easily at the right moment. The Book of Urizen bears resemblance to Genesis and Exodus, of which the contents form the basis of the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faith. Blake adhered to the principle that all religions are in fact one, and that deities reside in human beings. In The Book of Urizen this is represented in “The Net of Religion, ” which is spanned over the earth by Urizen. The sound collages, compiled by Jacob de Haan in the studio, find their origin inJerusalem, the Holy City, where the afore-mentioned faiths “come together. ” In the first movement of this composition, The Vision, Urizen prepares his vision of the world, and he presents this to the “Eternals. ” His vision is rejected, and Urizen locks himself up in his own abstract world. When he does emerge again, he is confronted with rage by the gathered Eternals. Urizen flees the wrath of the Eternals, “the flames of eternal fury, ” and enwombs himself in his own world. Whenthe Eternals see Urizen in his “stony sleep, ” they wonder if this is death. The blacksmith Los is torn by grief because of the isolation of Urizen. It brings him to rouse his fires, prepare his forge, and to give Urizen’s world concrete form. In the second movement, The Creation, Urizen’s world, but also man, woman, and child are created. Los is horrified with the appearance of Urizen’s body. He mourns and pities Urizen, and from his blood a female form comes into being, with thename Enitharmon. The Eternals, fearful of the female form, decide to erect a tent to obstruct their view to eternity. Enitharmon and Los beget a son, called Orc. Los baptizes him as a child of the “fallen world. ” Orc is fed at Enitharmon’s breast, which makes a girdle of jealousy restrict Los’ chest. He takes the child to the top of the mountain and chains him down. The cries of Orc awaken Urizen, who explores his world creating instruments of scientific measurement to do so. Los encircles theface of Enitharmon from the sight of Urizen and Orc. She then populates the earth by giving birth to an enormous race. The Web, third movement of The Book of Urizen is now available: DHP 1125252 / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par WAIGNEIN ANDRE. Réelle et légendaire, l’histoire des Celtes, peuple d’origine indo-germanique, couvre deux millénaires et s’étend sur une grande partie de l’Europe jusqu’en Asie Mineure. Les Celtes ont disparu mais leur culture subsiste encore en Bretagne, au Pays Galles, en Écosse et en Irlande. Fasciné par l’univers de la musique celtique, Roland Kernen a composé Celtic Gathering (“Rassemblement celtique”), une composition qui s’appuie sur la félicité, la gaieté et la fluidité de cette musique conviviale. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par HOSAY JAMES L.. Now your band can boldly go where no band has gone before, and bring the “final frontier” to your concert band stage! Here’s James L. Hosay’s imaginative new tone poem SPACE PROBE. Since the 1970's, NASA has been launching long-range, solar-powered probes into space. Over the past 30 years, the Voyager, Pioneer, and Galileo series’ probes have sent back incredible photographs. The data sent to Earth by these probes, along with recent photos and information gathered by the orbital telescope, Hubble, has helped astronomers chart the ever-expanding universe all the way back to its origins. This composition provides excellent opportunities for cross-curriculum teaching withscience. A scintillating musical spacescape ushers in the bold thematic statement in the Trumpets and Alto Saxophones. French Horns join in thrilling variation. A boundless contrasting espressivo theme soars through to the reprise of the initial ideas. Explore SPACE PROBE with your band this year. Inspiring! / Niveau : 2.5 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par HOSAY JAMES L.. Kum Ba Yah is one of the most popular and loved of all American folk songs. It is sung in places of worship, around campfires and at social gatherings all over the world. This bright and happy arrangement makes use of African percussion and rhythm underneath velvety-smooth chords and flowing lines. It can also be enhanced by the use of an optional electric bass part. / Niveau : 2.5 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Concert Band