Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. This suite was composed by Jan Van der Roost on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the ‘Koninklijke Sint Martinusfanfare’ (Royal Saint Martinus Fanfare Band) from Halle (Belgium). The composer was required to create a suite in three movements based on three images associated with the ‘Sint Martinusfanfare’ from the small town of Halle in the province of Brabant. The first movement (Andante Pomposo) describes Martin, a soldier in the Roman army. In Andante Moderato we see the image of Martin, who become a Christian and chooses to devote his life to God. In this movement, the composer was inspired by the Brabantine gothic art of the Sint Martinus Basilica in Halle. Thecontrast between the dark Basilica and the statue of Our Lady between the soaring pillars will vividly come to life for audiences of this descriptive piece. The final movement, Allegro Molto Vivace’, could have been an image for a frivolous peasant in the Halle carnival. In a triptych about St. Martin it is more fitting to refer to it as an apotheosis, the crown on the pastoral work of Martin, Bishop of Tours, Patron Saint of the Fanfare Band and the Basilica of Halle. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Pour Précéder La Péri. Par DUKAS PAUL. Paul Dukas (1865-1935) was a composer who had little self-confidence and was very self-critical. As a result of this he destroyed the manuscripts of all but seven large and five small works. Luckily kept what is now his best know composition, the symphonic scherzo L’apprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice). He also came very close to destroying the manuscript of his ballet music La Peri (The Fairy). This was however rescued by his friends. Thus we can still enjoy this magnificent fanfare which was originally used as an opener for the ballet. This magnificent transcription for fanfare band will make a great opening item for any concert. / Niveau : 4 / Transcription / Date parution : 1905-06-28/ Répertoire / Fanfare

Pour Précéder La Péri. Par DUKAS PAUL. Paul Dukas (1865-1935) was a composer who had little self-confidence and was very self-critical. As a result of this he destroyed the manuscripts of all but seven large and five small works. Luckily kept what is now his best know composition, the symphonic scherzo L’apprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice). He also came very close to destroying the manuscript of his ballet music La Peri (The Fairy). This was however rescued by his friends. Thus we can still enjoy this magnificent fanfare which was originally used as an opener for the ballet. This magnificent transcription for fanfare band will make a great opening item for any concert. / Niveau : 4 / Transcription / Date parution : 1905-06-28/ Répertoire / Fanfare

(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, / Niveau : 2 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Fanfare

A Composer's Portrait. Par DE HAAN JAN. A Composer'S Portrait/ Accessoire / Fanfare

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. This fantastic opener opens with a soft and lyrical middle section follows on the powerful opening fanfare which, if the technical equipment is available, can be used as background music for a spoken text or presentation. The finale is distinctly rhythmical in character, and develops into a somewhat unusual ending. Here, the composer piles ten different notes on top of each other, representing the BBMB anniversary in a musical way. / Niveau : 4 / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par DE HAAN JACOB. Everest is the name of a restaurant on the 40th floor of a skyscraper in Chicago. In 2003 the composer Jacob de Haan had dinner there together with his publishers and other fellow composers. The idea of composing a march to honour the excellent cuisine, the magnificent view of the skyline and the pleasant atmosphere in the restaurant arose during the visit. The results can be heard in this delightful and unusual work. / Niveau : 3 / Marche / Répertoire / Fanfare

St. Michael. Par BOURGEOIS LOUIS. The French composer Louis Bourgeois lived from c. 1510 to 1560. Bourgeois was cantor in Geneva and, commissioned by John Calvin, he composed melodies for metrical (rhyming) versions of the psalms. After completing about a hundred one-part psalms, he made some four-part arrangements, which were denounced and even resulted in his imprisonment for a day. Later, Bourgeois published a number of psalm collections, and judging from his book Le droict chemin de musique he was also an excellent educator. The melodies Bourgeois composed, are (contrary to Gregorian chants) particularly suitable for community singing. This applies to his hymn tune Saint Michael, which is why this melody hasbeen used for various texts, written for many occasions. John Blanken made this arrangement for a wedding ceremony: an occasion in which faith and trust play a large - if not the largest - role. Hence the title Hymn of Faith. The arrangement contains four verses of the hymn. After a majestic opening the hymn follows twice, the second verse being embellished in the tenor register. After a short interlude verse three follows, played by a quartet. The majestic opening is then repeated as a modulation into the fourth verse, which concludes the work in a brilliant tutti. / Niveau : 3 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par DE HAAN JACOB. Everest is the name of a restaurant on the 40th floor of a skyscraper in Chicago. In 2003 the composer Jacob de Haan had dinner there together with his publishers and other fellow composers. The idea of composing a march to honour the excellent cuisine, the magnificent view of the skyline and the pleasant atmosphere in the restaurant arose during the visit. The results can be heard in this delightful and unusual work. / Niveau : 3 / Marche / Répertoire / Fanfare