Arr. James L. Hosay. Par BACH JOHANN SEBASTIAN. Two timeless Christmas favorites by J. S. Bach are gloriously arranged for the Concert Band and ready for your interpretation. BREAK FORTH, O BEAUTEOUS, HEAVENLY LIGHT and JESU, JOY OF MAN'S DESIRING comprise the two contrasting movements (a Chorale and a Ballad). You know how valuable chorale style playing can be for the band’s tone quality, breath support, intonation, and phrasing. With thorough cueing throughout the arrangement, TWO BACH CHRISTMAS CLASSICS will work beautifully even if your group has instrumentation problems. Christmas music does not ordinarily leap to mind as a choice for spring festival use, but you may wish to consider it in this case. Great music isgreat music any time of the year! Magnificent! / Niveau : 2.5 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

as performed by J. Geils Band. Par JUSTMAN SETH. / Pop & rock / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

As performed by J. Geils Band. / Niveau : 3 / Pop & rock / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

as performed by J. Geils Band. Par JUSTMAN SETH. / Pop & rock / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par DE HAAN JACOB. This composition is based on a passacaglia theme, in which artistic perfection, symphonic drama and oriental melody lines play a role. The passacaglia is originally a dance made up of a series of variations above a bass line constantly present as an ostinato. It is not in this sense that the 'Symphonic Variations' are in the passacaglia form but in the sense of the open form of the variations. Jacob de Haan, himself originally an organist, took his inspiration for this piece from the famous passacaglia for organ in C-minor by J. S. Bach. Following the introduction of the passacaglia theme (in the bass) the entry by the trumpets and trombones forms the majestic start to amusical adventure, in which this theme (often fragmentary) returns in variations. Then there follow two faster movements with dramatic contrasts and virtuose passages. Particularly striking here is the use of two characteristic intervals from the beginning of the theme namely the minor second and the augmented fourth. An apause in the composition comes in the slow bridge where a syncopated bourdon (perfect fifth) is constantly repeated. The tension grows in dynamics and harmony, and the oriental-flavour becomes obvious in the melody. We arrive at a faster movement via an accelerando, in which a perpetuum mobile based on the passacaglia theme is central. Finally the whole flows into a martial theme, in which the ostinato accompaniment n the descant derives from the passacaglia theme. / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band

Par CURNOW JAMES. Explore different settings of the Medieval Latin carol 'In Dulci Jubilo' via this solid arrangement by James Curnow. Opening with an exquisite 'Brass Choir' section a la Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) and progressing through a 'Woodwind Choir' section in the later J. S. Bach style, WITH SWEET JUBILATION is wonderful 'style study' material. The grace of the early masters and the clearly focused unifying concept of the arrangement by James Curnow combine to make this addition to the Curnow Music Press 'Splendor of Christmas Series' a wonderful holiday experience for the young band. / Niveau : 2 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

(The Four Seasons). Par VIVALDI ANTONIO. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) stands, with Handel and J. S. Bach, as one of the titanic figures of late Baroque composition. Not only was he lauded as a composer of vocal and instrumental works both sacred and secular, he was without serious competition, the most prolific composer of his age. In addition to hundreds of vocal works, includingforty-nine operas, he composed five hundred concertos. The Four Seasons are probably the best known of his concerti with the second movement, Largo, portraying time spent by a roaring firelistening to the rain pounding against the window. This new arrangement for concert band retains allthe warmth of the original. / Niveau : 2 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par BERLIOZ HECTOR. Berlioz ne révèle aucun talent musical particulier dans son enfance ; ses parents ne sont pas musiciens. Vers l’âge de treize ans, il apprend à jouer de la flûte à bec et de la guitare et prend des cours de chant. En 1821, il s’installe à Paris et marche sur les pas de son père en suivant un temps les cours de la Faculté de Médecine. Mais au bout d’un an, et au grand désespoir de ses parents, il abandonne ses études et entre au Conservatoire de Paris. Sa passion pour l’actrice irlandaise Harriet Smithson, qu’il épousera quelques années plus tard (un mariage malheureux), a largement influencé sa vie et sa musique. Lorsqu’il remporte le Prix de Rome en 1830, Berlioz avait déjàcomposé quelques oeuvres majeures dont la Symphonie Fantastique. Berlioz devient la figure essentielle du romantisme français. Ses oeuvres sont dominées par ses idées novatrices. La première version de l’ouverture Le Corsaire remonte à un séjour que Berlioz fit à Nice en 1844. L’oeuvre fut donnée en création sous le titre La Tour de Nice. Par la suite, Berlioz remania sa composition et lui donnera son titre définitif Le Corsaire. La référence au roman poétique de Lord Byron à qui le compositeur vouait une grande admiration, reste une supposition qui ne fait pas l’unanimité. Cette ouverture fut particulièrement saluée pour son originalité. La musique déborde d’énergie et les effets sont fantastiques. Il n’est donc pas surprenant de constater que Le Corsaire est une des oeuvres orchestrales les plus connues et les plus jouées de Berlioz. / Niveau : 5 / Transcription / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie