Par WAGNER R. / KING. It is no secret that Richard Wagner (1813-1883) is one of the prolific German composers ever to have lived. Primarily known for his operas, Die Götterdämmerung is the last of Wagner 's 'Ring Cycle'. The Funeral March is superbly arranged for 10-Part brass choir with percussion by Robert King. Die Götterdämmerung received its premiere in 1876 as part of the first complete performance of the 'Ring'. The title refers to a prophesised war from Norse mythology. The Funeral March occurs in the third act for the funeral of Siegfried, thelegendary hero. King's arrangement of Wagner 's Funeral March for 10-part brass choir and percussion makes the piece much more versatile and accessible. / Opéra-opérette / Répertoire / Ensemble de Cuivres

Par DE HAAN JACOB. This concert work, the latest of Jacob de Haan works based on American states, is a suite in three movements, based on a well-known folk tune from Arkansas. In the course of this varied work the folk song appears in its complete form and in fragments, in major and in minor, as a ballad in a lyrical orchestration, as a blues, accompanied by a jazzy rhythm and at the end again in its pure form. In the process, all instrumental groups of the brass band get their chance to shine! / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

Par DE HAAN JACOB. A collection of 5 short works in pop style which can be performed by any kind of compilation. The titles can be presented on the programme as separate works but the Universal Band Collection can also be performed as a complete suite. From a didactic point of view it is a suitable work to teach musicians something about the structure in music. For this purpose not only the big structure but also the small structure was kept very clear. Western Girl : A girl from the west of the USA rides her horse across the prairie, dreaming of her future. The rough structure: introduction - theme in a blues scale - the same thing in a different instrumentation - finale. Just a ballad : A balladin pop style with a rough A-B-A form. First there is the introduction of the main theme (A), then follows a tenor melody in minor with a rhythmical reference to the main theme (B). Finally there is the main melody, performed tutti with a different rhythm in the drums (A'). Play the Game : An English saying meaning: play fairly. Playful music in up-tempo with a wink to China, where almost all games are manufactured nowadays. Once again an A-B-A structure here. San Diego : A Mexican fugitive enjoys his freedom in America but also remembers his place of birth with melancholy. A sad minor melody with a straight trendy beat appears twice. The second time it has a slightly different instrumentation, in which the muted trumpets represent the Mexican feeling. Final Dance : Eventually there is a dance with an introduction in renaissance style, followed by a fast dance in rock style. All this composed in a classical song structure: introduction, verse, bridge, chorus, shortened verse, bridge, chorus, chorus. / Niveau : 2 / Musique légère originale / Répertoire / Brass Band

Little Suite for Orchestra No. 1: Op 53. Par ARNOLD MALCOLM. Malcolm Arnold is one Britain’s best-loved composers. In 1948 he composed a very short suite for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain - entitled simply To Youth. Seven years later he took To Youth and made some fairly major revisions, including a complete new movement, and the Little Suite for Orchestra was born. The Little Suite for Orchestra follows a very similar pattern to the later suites for brass band, starting with a bold, strident Prelude, which strangely ends quietly before a lovely, lilting, Dance composed in 3/8 time. Finally a rollicking and militaristic March brings the suite to a conclusion. This arrangement for brass band by Robin Norman is sure tobecome a classic in the brass band repertoire. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Date parution : 1905-06-30/ Répertoire / Brass Band

Par SPARKE PHILIP. The birth of Philip Sparke’s second son, Benjamin, was the inspiration for composing Ballad for Benny. A short calm introduction leads to the main ballad theme, a gentle waltz melody. Following the work’s climax in which the complete band plays the main theme the sound fades and the piece ends in calm and serenity. / Niveau : 2.5 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Brass Band

Par HIMES WILLIAM. This rousing, jubilant overture mixes five original themes with the well-known doxology Old Hundredth, which is also known as Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow. The hymn is presented in short lyrical, energetic motif fragments, which combine until the complete hymn is presented in the form of a chorale prelude. This is a wonderful and truly uplifting concert work. / Niveau : 4 / Répertoire / Brass Band

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Marchissimo est un condensé de trois marches qui offre deux possibilités d’interprétation. Elle peut être jouée telle qu’elle est écrite, ou se développer selon un jeu scénique bien structuré où les musiciens entrent en scène au moment de leur première intervention dans la pièce. Chaque groupe expose alors un des trois thèmes principaux. Lorsque la formation est au complet, un court passage constitué de fragments des trois lignes mélodiques surgit à travers l’ensemble de la formation avant d’aborder le tutti final, ultime retour des trois thèmes exposés simultanément. / Niveau : 3 / Ouverture / Répertoire / Brass Band