Par VAN BELCUM HENK. As the title suggests, this work is a partita: it consists of a number of variations on a chorale melody. The partita has been popular for centuries, especially when it comes to organ music. Henk van Belcum, who is active in the choir world, chose for his Partita Piccola the German hymn Wunderbarer König as a starting point. Partita Piccola consists of four variations and a choral setting. After a majestic opening fanfare, the second variation follows, based on a canon by Pachelbel. Händel’s Sarabande is the basis of the third variation. Next comes the chorale setting, after which the work ends festively with a dance that has been written in the form of a courante. PartitaPiccola is an asset for church services and for concert platforms. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Partly based on the hymn tune Laudate Dominum. Par DE HAAN JACOB. This tumultuous composition tells the legend of the town of Zwolle in the Netherlands. In the waters surrounding Zwolle lived a dragon. When it appeared it threatened to destroy the town with it fiery breath if a human sacrifice was not offered. St Michael confronted the dragon in a battle without equal. As a knight armed with a double edged sword the archangel battled against the dragon and decapitated it. Thus the city was saved. To represent the archangel the composer has chosen the hymn tune Laudate Dominum. The dragon is symbolised by a series of menacing chords. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Music is perhaps unique among the performing arts in its ability to express and convey the subtlest nuances of human emotion This ability is exploited in When the Spirit Soars which attempts to capture in music the feeling of extreme happiness, sometimes almost too much to bear, that we all experience at one time or another. Often this happiness can be tinged with sadness (we can cry with joy, after all) and it is this conflict of emotions which this piece describes. There are moments of doubt as the piece progresses, but it ends in undiluted joy. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par MASCAGNI PIETRO. When you say Mascagni you immediately think of Cavalleria rusticana. This work brought Mascagni overnight fame after his wife - without him knowing - entered the score in a composition contest and it won first prize. Cavalleria rusticana became an incredible success, overshadowing the premiere of his next opera, L’Amico Fritz. L’Amico Fritz can still be considered a successful opera, with its highlights being the ‘Cherry Duet’ and this intermezzo, arranged by the Japanese Kimura. / Niveau : 5 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

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 DE HAAN JACOB. Lunteren, a village on the Veluwe (a wooded region in the Netherlands), sets the scene annually for a village festival dominated by folklore. Festa Paesana (Italian for village festival) is set to music by several folkloric sketches. The theme in Festa Paesana is partly based on a Dutch anthem (Wien Neerlands bloed); when other lyrics are used it is also known as the Lunteren anthem. The work begins with a festive introduction, completed by chimes and drums, in which pieces of the Lunteren anthem are heard. The music then transitions to represent a horse auction. We hear horses run their first rounds in the auction ring while being whipped. The following theme is partly basedon the anthem. The tension of the traditional auction is amplified by an ever-increasing cadence, reaching its climax when the word ?Sold!? is shouted. The night ends with a majestic variation on the Lunteren anthem. The next morning, when the tower clock hits seven times, the village is awaked by the reveille of the heralds. In a fugatic version of the anthem, we can hear the village slowly come to life. This evolves with the chiming of all towers in the village; the celebration can begin. Carriages drawn by horses rumble through the village and thus, it is easy to hear when a horse hesitates or runs amuck. A traditional folk dance group then dances a whirling waltz while the audience shares their pleasure. Musicians march along the scene and take over the waltz theme in their march. Until deep in the night, the musicians are still heard playing in the streets. Meanwhile, we hear the anthem theme being played in a choral variation (in minor). The first time it is played quietly, as a preparation for Sunday. Then it is played in a celebrating way, enabling the devout village residents to remember the past pleasant celebration with satisfaction. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Arr. Roland Kernen. This fantastic medley will bring great joy to all those who remember these super hits. Some of your audience may like Bill Haley and some Michael Jackson, but they are all sure to sing-along when it comes to the Village People hit YMCA ! / Niveau : 3 / Pop and rock / Recueil / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Arr. Philip Sparke. Par HENRY VIII. The English king, Henry VIII (1491-1547), is mainly remembered for disposing of his wives on a regular basis and breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope Clement VII refused to grant him a divorce so he could marry Anne Boleyn. As a young man he was a gifted athlete, dancer and composer, writing many songs, poems and consort pieces (though not Greensleeves, as is often believed). Pastime with Good Company is undoubtedly the best-known of these, written in the first years of the 16th century while he was still a handsome prince, newly married to Catherine of Aragon and the envy of Europe. The lyrics tell of the joys of hunting, dancing and singing and would have been sungas part of the court entertainment. This arrangement features a quartet of soloists and two solo drummers. / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par JOHNSON TIMOTHY. TRIUMPHANT SPIRIT was written to capture the essence of the spirit of triumph that exists when we endure hardship, and prevail. Those who took part in the rescue efforts resulting from the attacks on America on September 11, 2001 vividly personified this spirit. TRIUMPHANT SPIRIT displays impressive compositional techniques, colorful orchestration, and dazzling rhythmic counterpoint. Exotic harmonies and primal percussion are underlying concepts of this intriguing musical exploration, and the intense finale is gratifying indeed. Powerful! / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Arr. Naohiro Iwai. Par TRADITIONAL. A classic song that has become a firm favourite with many generations of ‘Trad Jazz’ performers When the Saints is as popular as the Jazz scene itself. Here you have a phenomenal arrangement in the ‘New Sounds for Concert Band’ series that gives your musicians a chance to play ‘dixie-style’. An ever-popular arrangement that your band will enjoy performing and your audiences will enjoy hearing for many years to come. / Niveau : 4 / Musique légère originale / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Arr. Philip Sparke. Par BYRD WILLIAM. The Battell was written during the late 14th Century when England was in a mood of national celebration after victory over the Spanish and French Armadas. The movement which Byrd called Marche Before The Battell became known as The Earl of Oxford?s Marchand it appears with that title in an early manuscript copy of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. Written while Byrd was at the height of his powers, it still stirs the soul to this day. A perfect opener for your concert performances. / Niveau : 4 / Transcription / Répertoire / Fanfare

for Band. Par ANDERSON LEROY. This work was written by Leroy Anderson in 1951 and premiered by him when he recorded it for Decca. Interestingly, in 1956 the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps of Rockford, Illinois changed their original name from the Rockford Rangers after having heard the piece played by a different corps. The music emulates the sound of distant trumpets and soldiers marching, drawing closer to the listener bit by bit. As the music gains strength, the marching and trumpets get louder and after passing the audience, it slowly fades away as they disappear into the distance again. This exclusive Southern band edition by Mark Rogers reintroduces Anderson's enchanting work to new generations of audiences. / Date parution : 2022-11-29/ Répertoire / Concert Band

From 'The Ruins of Athens' Opus 113. Par BEETHOVEN LUDWIG VAN. Brisk and inviting! This joyful and familiar melody by Ludwig Van Beethoven will quickly become a staple of your music library when you add it to your permanent collection. Articulation and dynamic contrasts abound, making TURKISH MARCH a solid choice for festival. It’s also a great teaching and reinforcement tool when working on staccato playing. The piece can be effective at a wide range of tempi, from brisk to stately. Thoughtful cueing keeps the arrangement accessible even to groups that have troublesome instrumentation. It never hurts to have young bands play music from the great masters, and this little gem is so endearing that any audience will delight in yourperformance. / Niveau : 3 / Marche de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par HOSAY JAMES L.. Chosen for this piece are prominent freedom songs of the civil rights movement, for when it was most needed, music brought inspiration and hope to the struggle. WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS pays tribute to the leaders and participants of the civil rights movement, especially the children and young adults. / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par PASTORE CARMINE. A Grade 1 rock anthem! It’s a perfect way to keep your beginners motivated while you drill them on that new concept called “eighth notes. ” Lots of repetition of simple eighth note figures will help your young band players enter the fascinating world of the divided beat with ease. This solid minor key rock-type piece will also help to keep your audience attentive by letting them hear a bit of a style they are so accustomed to. The overwhelming rhythmic nature of the piece also makes it a possible choice for use with an elementary level massed band. When faced with more than 100 beginners at a time, one likes to do music that has a beat they can hang on to! Whether it’s for asmall one-school band or a giant massed group, this one is sure to work for you. / Niveau : 1 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie