Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. This 4-movement suite is based on authentic folktunes from the beautiful southern province in France: the 'Provence'. The composer used an harmonic language respecting the popular characteristics, but on the other hand also contains some 'spicy' notes (. . . just like the wellknown 'Provençal sauce'! . . . ). The instrumentation is very colourful, paying a lot of attention to the different timbres of both brass and wood winds as well as to the percussion section. Every movement has its own character: 'Un Ange a fa la crido' (= An angel brought the creed / credo) is like a bourrée, 'Adam e sa Coumpagnou' (= Adam and his companion) is an old love song, 'Lou Fustié' (= the carpenter)a fast dance and finally 'Lis Escoubo' (= a whistle tune / popular ballad) is a farandole. In the latter, the old tradition of folk musicians who play a whistle with one hand and a drum with the other hand, is clearly represented during the first presentations of the one and only theme)Although this piece is not too demanding, a well balanced band is necessary to perform it successfully. Thanks to the contrasts and the varying colours, it keeps on holding the attention. / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Philip Sparke a composé cette pièce pour le Western Plains Wind Consortium, placé sous la direction de son fondateur, Daniel Baldwin. La création fut assurée par l’Orchestre d’Harmonie de l’Université d’État de l’Oklahoma Panhandle (Dr. Matthew C. Saunders, direction), le 1er décembre 2009, au Centennial Theatre à Goodwell en Oklahama (États-Unis). Les orchestres membres du Western Plains Wind Consortium qui ont contribué à la commande de cette oeuvre sont :Garden City High School Symphonic Band - Ryan Elliot & Daniel Baldwin, directionSouthwestern Oklahoma State University Wind Ensemble - James South, directionPanhandle State University Band - Matthew Saunders, direction Holton High School Band - Donald McDaniel, directionHolcomb High School Band - Paul White, directionBethel College Band - Timothy Shade, directionGarden City Community College Band - Daniel Baldwin, directionLa commande stipulait que l’oeuvre devait synthétiser une ambiance hivernale sans référence au cycle de la Nativité. Philip Sparke a réalisé une scène d’hiver en pleine campagne. A Winter’s Tale s’ouvre avec une série d’accords soutenus, joués par les bois, et colorés par le timbre cristallin des cloches, tandis qu’un saxophone alto chante une complainte crépusculaire. Un passage orchestral court, mais dense, prélude à l’exposition du thème principal. Les couleurs douces et vaporeuses enveloppent les champs et les forêts enneigés. L’orchestre reprend le thème tandis que l’on entend au loin un tintement de grelots annonçant le passage imminent d’une troïka. Une fois passée, la musique s’apaise et le thème principal revient avant de laisser la place au motif d’ouverture qui vient conclure la trame musicale. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par MOORE DAVID W.. Filled with rhythmic and harmonic interest as well as memorable melodies, MISSOURI RIVER FESTIVAL is an energetic and enjoyable piece that gives every section in the band an opportunity to shine. Moods of the river are artistically represented in the interplay between Maestoso, Allegro spiritoso and Andante mysterioso sections. Artistic exploration of thematic material is a hallmark of David W. Moore’s writing, and you’ll find plenty of it here. There is an added practical advantage, too. All brass parts are dynamic, interesting and fun to play, but there is plenty of brass “resting time” carefully interspersed throughout the piece. You can use MISSOURI RIVERFESTIVAL at virtually any time during in your program without fear of over-taxing the brasses. Outstanding! / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. This major concert work cosists o five movements. 1st movement: La Laguna del ShimbeSituated high up in the Andes mountains in Northern Peru are the Huaringas, a group of lagoons in isolated and mysterious surroundings. The water has healing powersand for centuries traditional healers have settled there in small villages. From far the sick come to the Huaringas to be treated in nightly rituals, in which the hallucinating juice of the San Pedro cactus gives the prophet a look inside hispatient. The biggest lagoon is the “Laguna del Shimbe”, one of the countless wells of the immense Amazon stream. 2nd movement: Los AguarunasFurther downstream in Northern Peru we come across the rain tribe of Los Aguarunas. It’s a proud, beautiful andindependent race, which has never succumbed to domination, not even from the Incas. They live from everything the forest has to offer: fish, fruit, plants, . . . . They also grow some crops and live as semi-nomads. They take their fate into their ownhands and after having made contact with modern civilisation, they have integrated new elements into their lives without betraying their own ways. 3rd movement: MekaronMekaron is an Indian word meaning “picture”, “soul”, “essence”. The Indians are theorigina inhabitants of the Amazon region. They either live in one place as a group or move around a large region. They all have their own political system, their own language and an intense social life. At the same time they are master of music andmedicine. “Everywhere the white man goes, he leaves a wilderness behind him”, wrote the North American Indian leader Seatl in 1885. As a result of these contacts with the whites, the disruption of most Indian societies began. (In this century alone, 80 tribes have vanished completely). 4th movement: KêêtuajêThis is the name of the initiating ceremony of the Krahô tribe in the Brazilian state of Goias, in which young boys and girls enter adult life. They are cleansed with water, painted with redpaint and covered with feathers, after which the ritual dance holds the entire tribe spell-bound. 5th movement: Paulino FaiakanIn 1988 the Indian chiefs Faiakan and Raoni Kaiapo came to Europe to protest against the building of the Altamira dam inBrazil. As a result of the dam the Indians would be driven from their traditional land and enormous artificial would be created. The project was supported financially by, amongst others, the European Community. In February 1989 the Indian tribesaround Altamira held a protest march for the first time in their history together. Amongst other things they paid tribute tot Chico Mendez, who, murdered in 1988, was the leader of the rubber syndicate and a fierce opponent of the destruction of theBrazilian rain forest. Brazilian and world opinion was awakened. The building of the dam was -albeit temporarily - stopped. / Niveau : 6 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

from Andrea Chanier. Par GIORDANI GIUSEPPE. It has been said, and wisely so, that if you wish to find TRULY dramatic music, look to opera. This is an essentially complete transcription of Act IV of Umberto Giordano's tragic opera ANDREA CHENIER. One night before French poet Andrea Chenier's impending execution, his lover Madeleine comes to the prison at St. Lazare and, wishing to die rather than live without him, through bribery manages to exchange places with a young woman who is, like Chenier, scheduled to mount the scaffold the following day. James Curnow fully utilizes his considerable orchestration skill with this immensely powerful transcription. Well performed, the ending is absolutely awe-inspiring. If yourgroup has the skill to play at this level you definitely MUST explore this significant transcription. / Niveau : 5 / Répertoire / Concert Band

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Diesem symphonischen Gedicht liegen drei außermusikalische Motive zugrunde - alle drei direkt verbunden mit dem Auftraggeber aus Endingen im Kaiserstuhl und der Region, um die es sich dreht: der Gegend um den Kaiserstuhl am Fuße des Schwarzwalds. Ein dynamisch treibendes Allegro zeigt zunächst die Lebenslust und Munterkeit der Endinger auf. Die Stadtmusik Endingen blickt im Jahre 2003 auf nicht weniger als 250 Jahre ihres Bestehens zurück. Die unbändige Energie und der Enthusiasmus, die eine solch lange Zeit erst möglich gemacht haben, werden hier musikalisch dargestellt. Das breite, lyrische zweite Motiv stellt die Ruhe und die Schönheit der Natur am Kaiserstuhl und die typischeGemütlichkeit, die diese Region ausmacht, dar: Bei einem Gläschen Kaiserstühler Wein kann man wahrhaft gemütliche und gesellige Stunden verbringen. Ein drittes Element ist der vulkanische Boden dieser Region, der dem Wein seinen ganz besonderen Geschmack verleiht. Diese Naturgegebenheit ist unterschwellig bereits in den beiden vorhergehenden Teilen hörbar, die Kraft des einst aktiven Vulkans kommt aber nun vollends “zum Ausbruch“ in einer breit angelegten Passage mit viel Spektakel und Getöse. Danach kehrt wieder Ruhe ein und das erste thematische Motiv beginnt allmählich wieder aufzuleben, um sich zu einem großen Finale mit breiten Akkorden von ausgesprochen festlichem Charakter zu entwickeln. Die Stadt Endingen und ihre Stadtmusik können mit Recht Stolz auf ihre Geschichte sein und dies wird hier musikalisch zum Ausdruck gebracht. / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par HOSAY JAMES L.. Recognised by many as one of the all-time most beautiful melodies, GREENSLEEVES has long been associated with the Christmas season. The bold and powerful introduction gradually melts away to a tender Woodwind statement of the timeless theme. You’ll find a whole new way to look at this Christmas classic as it gradually builds with intriguing harmonies. Rich and rewarding, this well may be the most beautiful new concert band piece you’ll discover this year. Pure magic! Don’t miss it! / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par ALLEN VIRGINIA. This charming A-B-A form tone poem takes us on a memorable pleasure sailboat ride on the Chesapeake. Skillful scoring and natural melodies make sure this piece will show your group well on the concert stage. After a calm opening, the contrasting detached middle section of the piece sparkles as you feel the gentle breeze pick up to push the boat along on a joyously exciting cruise. Pleasing to play and pleasant to hear, you’ll want to add Virginia Allen’s Sailing to your music library right away. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par CURNOW JAMES. The title, SILVER RIBBON CHANTEYS, comes from the fascinating history of Ohio and the collections of great old folk songs that came into existence because of the Ohio-Erie Canal. There are three distinctly different movements, each featuring one historic canal folk song. The diverse folksongs call for a wide range of playing styles and make a well-balanced and interesting combination. SILVER RIBBON CHANTEYS is yet another exciting adventure in music for you and your band. These hearty, old canal folk songs are real diamonds in the rough! You are sure to enjoy this delightful arrangement!LOW BRIDGE! EVERYBODY DOWN! / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie