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

Praise to Thee, Jesus Christ. Gelobet seist du Jesu Christ (We Praise You Jesus Christ) is an old Christmas hymn dating from the 16th century, which can still be found in many hymnbooks today. John Blanken has created a varied and imaginative arrangement on four verses of the hymn. After the introduction, derived from the opening notes, the hymn is first accompanied by an agile harmonisation. Next, we hear the chorale in a four-part setting with a percussion accompaniment. Then follows a short prologue to the third verse and finally its time for fireworks as the arrangement takes a stylistic leap in time with the festive prelude to the fourth and last verse. / Niveau : 3 / Hymnes et chorals / Recueil / Fanfare

Partly based on the hymn tune Laudate Dominum. Par DE HAAN JACOB. In diesem Werk greift Jacob de Haan eine alte Sage über einen Drachen, der einst nahe der holländischen Stadt Zwolle lebte und von den Bewohnern immer wieder Menschenopfer forderte, ehe er vom Erzengel Michael getötet wurde. Für diese Komposition wurde die Melodie der Hymne Laudate Dominum als zentrales musikalisches Thema des Erzengels gewählt. Der Drache wird durch eine Reihe Akkorde, die bedrohliche Bilder heraufbeschwören, wiedergegeben. Ein spannendes Werk mit religiösem Hintergrund, das aber vielseitig eingesetzt werden kann. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. This hymn was commissioned by “Antwerpen 93”. And this city, on the banks of the river Schelde has been nominated “Cultural Capital of Europe” for 1993. The work-group “animatie” took the initiative and commissioned a hymn, which -as the finale to a grand open-air event on 27th March- was premièred by hundreds of musicians from all over Europe. Philippe Langlet (France) was the conductor at this majestic occasion. Musically speaking the piece can no doubt be labeled easy. Indeed it is meant to represent a hymn, playable by all in different instrumental combinations. Consequently a variable instrumentation was chosen and a type of music, which by native is easily accessible anduncomplicated. The conductor is free -in the instrumentation- to score this piece according to his own taste. It is perhaps advisable to use the sharp brass in the forte parts, in order to make the range in the sound of the orchestra as colouful as possible. The percussion parts are not absolutely essential, so that the hymn can also be performed without percussion. / Niveau : 2 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Fanfare

Meditation on 'Quem Pastores Laudavere'. Par TRADITIONAL. Carol of the Shepherds is based on the hymn tune 'Quem Pastores Laudavere' which dates back to the 14th century and is widely known throughout the Christian world. Although the melody has been set to a number of different texts in different countries it was originally a carol celebrating the Christmas story, in particular the visit of the Angel Gabriel to the shepherds. / Niveau : 3 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Fanfare

Based on the hymn tune Dear Lord and Father of Mankind. Par PARRY CHARLES HUBERT. SSir Hubert Parry (1848-1918) appartient à cette génération de compositeurs anglais quelque peu oubliés dont font partie Charles Villiers Stanford et Sir Granville Bantock. La notoriété de Sir Edward Elgar a certainement contribué au fait que leurs oeuvres soient aujourd’hui très peu jouées ou même oubliées. Sir Hubert Parry est surtout connu pour ses hymnes tels que Jerusalem et Repton, toutes deux de magnifiques mélodies. Repton est apparu pour la première fois dans l’oratorio Judith de Charles Hubert Parry puis adapté sous forme d’hymne après la mort du compositeur. Philip Sparke en a réalisé un arrangement dans lequel la partie soliste peut êtreconfiée à un trompettiste, un clarinettiste ou un saxophoniste (saxophone alto). / Niveau : 2 / oeuvre solo et Orchestre / Répertoire / Fanfare

From the Paramount and DreamWorks Motion Picture S. Par WILLIAMS JOHN. Quand on pense à Steven Spielberg, on évoque facilement ses films à grand spectacle. Mais c'est occulter l'homme engagé qui a signé plusieurs chef-d'oeuvres dont Saving Private Ryan (Il faut sauver le soldat Ryan) couronné par 5 Oscars. Avec Hymn To The Fallen, le générique de fin, John Williams nous offre un puissant hymne en mémoire aux soldats qui ont sacrifié leur vie sur l'autel de la liberté lors du débarquement en Normandie, le 6 juin 1944. Une note d'humanité dans un océan de noirceur et de violence. / Niveau : 4 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Jan Van der Roost was commissioned to write this hymn by the “International Association for Human Rights” in Frankfurt. The commission specified that the instrumentation of this simple hymn should be so, that it can be performed by a variety of combinations of players. The piece starts with an “intrada” for brass ensemble based on the first bars of the hymn, but is “ad libitum” and can therefore be omitted. The coda can also be left out, depending on the available instrumentation. The piece should be played “legato” to accentuate its hymn-like character. / Niveau : 2 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par JOHNSON TIMOTHY. Based on the African-American spiritual “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit”, Feel the Spirit captures the essence of the traditional spiritual. These songs were created by African-Americans oppressed by slavery. A deeply religious people, the slaves would use singing as an expression of both their enthusiastic joy and profound sadness. Feel the Spirit enables you to play a great gospel song with your band / Niveau : 2 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Suite from Hymn of the Highlands draws three expressive musical pictures of the Scottish highlands. The first movement, Ardross Castle, features solo passages for clarinet and bassoon and features a fascinating bagpipe melody. The second movement, Alladale, is a saxophone trio with an accompaniment featuring the percussion section. The final movement, Dundonnell, features two highly contrasting melodies, a wild presto and the bagpipe melody first heard in the first movement. / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare