Par VAUGHAN WILLIAMS RALPH. In his Prelude ? The Truth from Above, outstanding arranger and curator Paul Hindmarsh has distilled the essence of a timeless Christmas classic by Ralph Vaughan Williams into five minutes of ravishingly unforgettable music for brass band. The variants of the Herefordshire tune popular from the Fantasia on Christmas Carols and The Oxford Book of Carols are skilfully and stylishly woven together, from an evocative opening to an ecstatic, multi-layered coda. Unerringly true to the timeless spirit of the original, with the added beauty of the brass-band sound at its most sonorously grave and haunting, Prelude ? The Truth from Above may be performed separately, or as the first of two preludes, preceding Paul?s arrangement of Rhosymedre from the Three Preludes Founded on Welsh Hymn Tunes, also available from Stainer and Bell. / Date parution : 2021-11-03/ Répertoire / Brass Band

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Flying the Breeze opens with three repeated B's (representing the initials of the Breeze Brass Band from Japan who commissioned this work). A short introduction leads to a robust theme from the baritones and euphoniums which is taken up by cornets and trombones. A restless bridge passage leads to a syncopated tune from the solo cornet and then to a third theme from a solo trombone. A graceful second subject leads back to a recall of the introductory material before a full-scale recapitulation. An intense allargando leads to a full-band version of the second subject under a running cornet passage, which leads to a short coda. / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

Arr. Menno Haantjes. Par DE HAAN JACOB. This playful three-part suite is largely based on symmetry. This of course is largely due to the relations of the arrangement of the themes; however, on the other hand, to the larger structures in form. The first part, (Prelude et Scherzo) has a solemn opening. Followed by it a related scherzo with many changes in time, this too is composed in a symmetrical form. In the second movement, Choral Dorian, the theme of the prelude is reversed and used in chorale in Dorian tonality. The suite comes to a close with Rondo d'Avignon. An annual theatre festival in a French city on the Rhone inspired this suite. It is a lively movement, symmetrically bought to a finish with a repeat of theprelude from the first movement. / Niveau : 2 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

Par SPARKE PHILIP. South Down Pictures was commissioned by Millenium Brass 2000, an organisation comprising three brass bands from the county of Sussex, England. The bands (Patcham Silver, Hangleton and Brighton Silver) had got together to organise many events to mark the new millennium and these culminated in a concert in Hove Town Hall on July 9th 2000 when all three bands combined to give the first performance of South Down Pictures. The composer spent much of his childhood amongst the South Downs, a range of hills in Sussex which runs parallel to the sea. Opening with a strong unison passage, interrupted briefly by faster figures based on the interval of a fifth, South Down Picturesdevelops with an often-passionate legato melody. Reaching a climax, this is then followed by the main vivo section of the work, whose main theme is based on the earlier ‘fifth’ figures. A bridge passage leads to a short chorale figure and a rhythmic climax which dissolves into a plaintive cornet solo over staccato chords. This theme is taken up by the whole band and leads back to a recapitulation of the main theme and earlier material. The cornet tune returns triumphantly in the major key before the opening unison passage reappears to provide a stirring coda. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

Arr. Klaas Van Der Woude. Par VAN OTTERLOO WILLEM. This three-movement work showcases the music of Dutch conductor/composer Willem van Otterloo. Entitled March, Nocturne and Scherzo each of the three movements has the feel of a film score with beautiful soothing melodies contrasted with jazzy interludes. A major new concert item that will both entertain and enchant your audience. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Fanfare and Celebration was commissioned by the Brass Band of the Western Reserve (Dr Keith M. Wilkinson, director) to celebrate their 15th anniversary. Based in north-west Ohio, the band was formed in 1997 and was competing in the Championship Section of the North American Brass Band Championships in less than three years. The first performance of Fanfare and Celebration took place in Akron, Ohio, on November 10th 2012. The opening Fanfare features the cornet section, in two groups standing either side of the band. A central horn theme brings a change of mood before the cornets take the lead once more. Celebration follows seamlessly andcontinues the declamatory style until a cantando theme in uneven meter is introduced. A transformed recapitulation ushers in a return of the Fanfare to close the work. / Niveau : 4 / Ouverture / Répertoire / Brass Band

Par SPARKE PHILIP. In this exciting suite Philip Sparke sets out to capture the essence of his hometown, London, with each of the three movements depicting one of the many characteristics of this fascinating city. Skyline shows the frantic lifestyles of Londoners with millions of diverse people with different hopes and needs. Autumn shows the changes that take place in London during the different seasons and Downtown portrays the exciting nightlife of the West End. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Brass Band

Par CURNOW JAMES. How do you fancy spending Christmas down under on the beach in the searing heat' You can now escape from the cold with this suite of Australian Christmas carols. Includes Carol of The Birds, The Silver Stars in the Sky, Christmas Day and The Three Drovers. / Niveau : 4 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Brass Band