Par ANDERSON LEROY. Like most of Leroy Anderson\'s efforts, Belle of the Ball is light, effervescent, and devoid of conflict or disharmony. Anderson looked upon the piece as a modern-day American revival -- or revitalization -- of the Viennese waltz tradition. Having said that, the main theme sounds rather unlike a Strauss waltz, but the voice of Tchaikovsky is evident in its playful, fantasy-like character. The melody is rhythmic and comes in short groups of notes, beginning with two notes, then three, then expanding further; the music skates along elegantly. The middle section features a delightful variation on the theme, in which Anderson\'s gentle-belled sonorities impart a playful innocence. This exclusive Southern band edition by Mark Rogers reintroduces Anderson\'s enchanting work to new generations of audiences. / Date parution : 2022-09-20/ Répertoire / Concert 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 / Concert Band ou Harmonie

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 / Concert Band

Arr. Wil Van Der Beek. Par TCHAIKOVSKI PIOTR ILITCH. Tchaikovsky is best known for his purely instrumental compositions. However, we must not underestimate him as a composer of operas. Many of his operas such as ¬Pique Dame and Eugene Onegin are still performed regularly throughout the world. Eugene Onegin (also called Jevgeny Onegin), composed in 1877-1878, was not called an opera by Tchaikovsky himself, but “lyric scenes”. The work is entirely dominated by lyricism. However, there are two moments that contrast sharply with this lyricism: two ball scenes, for which Tchaikovsky wrote a waltz and a polonaise. After opening with a less well-known allegro dansant, this arrangement features the aforementioned waltz, which can beconsidered a beautiful Russian equivalent of the Faust Waltz by Charles Gounod. In the opera, this waltz is actually played by a military band. The arrangement concludes with the pompous polonaise (also mentioned above) which opens the last act: the ideal music to characterize high aristocracy in the salon of a palace in St. Petersburg. / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Arr. Wil Van Der Beek. Par TCHAIKOVSKI PIOTR ILITCH. Tchaikovsky is best known for his purely instrumental compositions. However, we must not underestimate him as a composer of operas. Many of his operas such as ¬Pique Dame and Eugene Onegin are still performed regularly throughout the world. Eugene Onegin (also called Jevgeny Onegin), composed in 1877-1878, was not called an opera by Tchaikovsky himself, but “lyric scenes”. The work is entirely dominated by lyricism. However, there are two moments that contrast sharply with this lyricism: two ball scenes, for which Tchaikovsky wrote a waltz and a polonaise. After opening with a less well-known allegro dansant, this arrangement features the aforementioned waltz, which can beconsidered a beautiful Russian equivalent of the Faust Waltz by Charles Gounod. In the opera, this waltz is actually played by a military band. The arrangement concludes with the pompous polonaise (also mentioned above) which opens the last act: the ideal music to characterize high aristocracy in the salon of a palace in St. Petersburg. / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band

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

from The Wild Swans Suite. Par KATS-CHERNIN ELENA. Eliza’s Aria is a classical aria from the ballet Wild Swans, composed by Uzbekistan composer Elena Kats-Chernin. The piece was first recorded by soprano Jane Sheldon and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and released on the ABC Classics label. This recording was subsequently used in the 2007 Lloyds TSB “For the Journey” television and cinema advertisements and also received extensive radio airplay in December 2007. It was also used as the basis for “The Journey Continues” a dance track by DJ Mark Brown, featuring Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne, which was released in February 2008. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Date parution : 1905-07-01/ Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par COURT DOUGLAS. Beautiful!! Based on the stirring Christmas ballad 'Away In The Manger', Douglas Court's CHRISTMAS LULLABY will be a wonderful change of pace for your young band's winter concert. While it is a Grade 1 piece, groups working at higher levels will still love to play it. The gorgeous harmonies and gentle development will be a joy for any band to experience. If you want a fresh and lovely addition to your Christmas concert, this is the one. / Niveau : 1 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Concert Band