Arr. Roland Kernen. La chanson Bright Eyes fut écrite en 1976 par Mike Batt et interprétée par Art Garfunkel. Dès sa sortie, elle connut un immense succès, avec un classement en tête des charts pendant plus de six semaines. La chanson fut également le thèmemusical du film d’animation Watership Down (La Folle Escapade). Cet air intemporel soulève un réel engouement auprès du public, et l’arrangement de Roland Kernen souligne avec sensibilité, la mélodie de ce très grand succès. / Niveau : 2.5 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par JOHNSON TIMOTHY. Based on the well-known hymn tune 'Lyons' this arrangement begins with an energetic statement of worship. The middle section is contemplative in nature, representing the times when a person is involved in quiet, reverent worship. The conclusion returns to a dramatic, joyful statement of the hymn tune, ending with a bold statement of worship. / Niveau : 2 / Hymnes et chorals / Répertoire / Concert Band

Par DE HAAN JACOB. Lunteren, a village on the Veluwe (a wooded region in the Netherlands), sets the scene annually for a village festival dominated by folklore. Festa Paesana (Italian for village festival) is set to music by several folkloric sketches. The theme in Festa Paesana is partly based on a Dutch anthem (Wien Neerlands bloed); when other lyrics are used it is also known as the Lunteren anthem. The work begins with a festive introduction, completed by chimes and drums, in which pieces of the Lunteren anthem are heard. The music then transitions to represent a horse auction. We hear horses run their first rounds in the auction ring while being whipped. The following theme is partly basedon the anthem. The tension of the traditional auction is amplified by an ever-increasing cadence, reaching its climax when the word ?Sold!? is shouted. The night ends with a majestic variation on the Lunteren anthem. The next morning, when the tower clock hits seven times, the village is awaked by the reveille of the heralds. In a fugatic version of the anthem, we can hear the village slowly come to life. This evolves with the chiming of all towers in the village; the celebration can begin. Carriages drawn by horses rumble through the village and thus, it is easy to hear when a horse hesitates or runs amuck. A traditional folk dance group then dances a whirling waltz while the audience shares their pleasure. Musicians march along the scene and take over the waltz theme in their march. Until deep in the night, the musicians are still heard playing in the streets. Meanwhile, we hear the anthem theme being played in a choral variation (in minor). The first time it is played quietly, as a preparation for Sunday. Then it is played in a celebrating way, enabling the devout village residents to remember the past pleasant celebration with satisfaction. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par YAGISAWA SATOSHI. This work is a close-up of the encounters and relationships of trust between people, following the idea that 'friendship lasts forever.” After the passing of Satoshi Yagisawa’s close friend and work partner, Tsutomu Murata, a designer of Neo Create in August 2020, the composer began work on this piece. Murata performed music for audiences primarily as a leader and conductor of Kurume City Brass, a group which is active in Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan. Eternal Frienship depicts a five-minute chorale which explores “how music can convey that a close friend is indispensable to you, more broadly, everyone to someone,” much like how Murata conveyed the appeal of music to his audiences. Under the direction of the composer himself, the work had its world premiere and was recorded with the Kobe College Wind Orchestra. / Date parution : 2021-11-03/ Répertoire / Orchestre D'Harmonie

Arr. Timothy Johnson. Par MOZART WOLFGANG AMADEUS. 'Melody is the very essence of music. ' -W. A. Mozart (1786)Mozart confirmed this view on melody by writing the Ave Verum Corpus near theend of his short life. Originally written for chorus, strings, and organ, this work standsamong the most beautiful musical expressions of all time. Timothy Johnson has skillfullymade Mozart's wondrous achievement available to concert bands. It's perfect forworship services and the sostenuto style, with careful attention to dynamics, makesit a great choice for that 'middle' spot at festival or for the more serious moment atany performance. Given the opportunity, young bands LOVE to play truly greatmusic, and it just doesn't getmuch better than the mastery of Mozart. / Niveau : 2 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Out of the Darkness, Into the Light is about optimism. All of us experience disappointments in our lives, such failed relationships or the loss of loved ones, but the indomitability of the human spirit allows us to overcome such set backs and get through the darker moments. For some, faith and religion may be the answer, but this piece is more about the internal strength that we can all call upon. Opening in sombre mood, the first phase of the work symbolises the doubts we all have about ourselves and our lives. The opening phrase on solo clarinet appears throughout the piece and could be seen as the central idea of the work, the human spirit itself. The faster, centralsection is about the struggle to overcome the pain we experience and at bar 88 the moment of catharsis occurs. This signals a change of mood and from then on, the clarinet motif is transformed into a feeling of joy and optimism. We have entered the light. / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. ‘Toccata Festiva’ was commissioned in 1994 by the Dutch Brass Band Championships. The wind band version was made a year later by the composer himself. Historically speaking, the toccata is considered to be one of the first independent instrumental forms for keyboard instruments. Originally the toccata was typically more or less improvised, later this musical form was given a more regulated structure. Both elements are used in the ‘Toccata Festiva’: on the one hand the different themes are developed freely, on the other, the piece has an orderly structure. It is in a three part form (quick-slow-quick) and includes both strong rhythmical figures and broad melodic lines. Partof the composition is written in a more or less archaic tone idiom, referring to the period from which the toccata form originates (16th century). / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SAKAI ITARU. This work takes both its name and inspiration from a lighthouse “Sword Cape” that keeps watch near Japan’s naval base. The piece describes how, come rain or shine, the lighthouse bids a safe journey to departing ships, guides them during their travels and eventually welcomes them home again. The music evokes many musical images - grand ships sailing by, white-capped waves, the deep blue of the ocean and the light of ‘sword cape” as it silently guides ships over the mysterious waters. / Niveau : 4 / Marche de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie