Anton Bruckner (1824-1896). Par BRUCKNER ANTON / DOSS THOMAS (Arr.). Anton Bruckner (b. 4.9.1824, Ansfelden, d. 11.10.1896, Vienna) didn?t have it easy. Throughout his life, the Austrian composer was plagued by self-doubt. Anton Bruckner came from a simple, rural background. After the death of his father, he was accepted as a choirboy at the monastery of Sankt Florian in 1837. After several years as a school assistant and his own organ and piano studies, he first worked as organist in St. Florian, then from 1855 as cathedral organist in Linz. Introduced to music theory and instrumentation by Simon Sechter and Otto Kitzler, he discovered Richard Wagner as an artistic role model, whom he admired throughout his life and also visited several times in Bayreuth. In 1868 Anton Bruckner became professor of basso continuo, counterpoint and organ at the Vienna Conservatory; ten years later court organist; and in 1891 finally honorary doctor of the University of Vienna. He was considered an important organ virtuoso of his era, but had to wait a long time for recognition as a composer. It was not until Symphony No.7 in E major, composed between 1881 and 1883, with the famous Adagio written under the effects of Wagner's death, that he achieved the recognition he had hoped for, even if he was reluctant to accept it given his inclination towards scepticism and self-criticism. Anton Bruckner was a loner who did not want to follow a particular school or doctrine. He composed numerous sacred vocal works, such as his three masses, the Missa Solemnis in B flat minor (1854), the Te Deum (1881-84) and numerous motets. As a symphonic composer, he wrote a total of nine symphonies and many symphonic studies from 1863 onwards, tending to revise completed versions several times over. Bruckner's orchestral works were long considered unplayable, but in fact were merely exceptionally bold for the tonal language of their time, uniting traditions from Beethoven through Wagner to folk music, on the threshold between late Romanticism and Modernism. Anton Bruckner composed about 40 motets during his lifetime, the earliest a setting of Pange lingua around 1835, and the last, Vexilla regis, in 1892. Thomas Doss has compiled some of these motets in this volume for symphonic wind orchestra. These motets show many characteristics of personal expression, especially Bruckner's colourful harmony in the earlier works, which is in places aligned with Franz Schubert (changes between major and minor; and movements in thirds). Later works are characterised by many components which, in addition to the expanded stature of the movements, include above all a sense of the instrumentation as an outward phenomenon and the harmony as a compositional feature that works more internally. Some aspects of Bruckner's work are the result of his long period of study, which familiarised him not only with the tradition of his craft, but also gave him insights into the 'modernity' of his time in such composers as Wagner, Liszt and Berlioz. From this developed his personal standpoint, which always pursues the connection between the old and the new. / Date parution : 2023-08-12/ Répertoire / Concert Band/Harmonie

Concert March. Par CURNOW PAUL. The sounds of a fire bell and whistle add to the effect in this concert march dedicated to New York Fire Department 126, who lost many members of its crew on September 11th, 2001. Feelings of courage and resolve are brought through in the music, as a very effective tribute to all the firefighters who risk their lives for others. Young people will relate to the sense of pride in the music in a very positive way! / Niveau : 1.5 / Marche / Répertoire / Concert Band

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. A spectacular dive via an extended chromatic scale immediately submerges us in a charged and somewhat archaic-feeling atmosphere. Trumpets, horns and trombones resound in rhythmic patterns, buttressed by restless motifs in the percussion. A second theme, in the woodwinds, begins much calmer but is quickly pushed aside by that same brass offensive. This introduction is the musical expression of the sometimes tumultuous early history of the town of Peer in Belgium. It closes with a D scale played over two octaves and repeated three times, symbolizing the church steeples that dominate the townscape. Peer has the credentials of a town, and people should know about it. There followsa rhythmic, turbulent passage: in the course of history, Peer has not been spared the ravages of war, arson, occupation, epidemic and other evils. In contrast, a slow, pastoral, lyrical part expresses the periods of peace and prosperity the town has known, as well as the serene geographic setting that still characterizes the place. Various instruments in groups are developed in solo style while the accompaniment displays vast, painterly images of sound. Now and then an exotic intonation is heard: a variety of peoples and cultures have left their mark on the town. This episode of tranquility and peacefulness comes to a sudden end when, via a surprising, almost chaotic transitional passage, we are in effect transported back to our own time. A hopeful, festive march expresses the confidence in the future that the Royal Concert Band of Peer exudes. This confidence is wholly justified: under the direction of conductor Willy Fransen, the 95 members of the concert band have experienced an extended period of good fortune, and the 75 musicians of the youth band - and the 45 little musicians of the mini-band - are involved in thriving operations. / Niveau : 6 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par DE HAAN JAN. Inspiration was commissioned by the Solothurnischer Kanotonal Musikverband in Switzerland in 1993. The composition begins with an A-theme written in a Phrygian tonality and, after an enormous climax, moves on into a quicker B-section, characterized by the use of wide interval jumps. Then follows the development in which both themes return individually and together. Peace and quiet is restored in the slow middle movement, based on the B-theme. The movement comes to a close with a tutti B-theme, brutally interrupted by fragments from the A-theme. Without a break, the final movement of this contrastive piece develops from these fragments. The theme of this extremelyrhythmical closing movement is built up of elements from the A-theme, whilst the B-theme (from the slow middle movement) returns in full once more. Before the piece comes to a close in a resounding fortissimo, the cornet soloist performs the A-theme from the back of the auditorium, to special effect. / Niveau : 4 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par TOMS GRAYDON A.. EEEEEEEK! It’s a whimsical excursion into the realm of the mechanical mice! It’s a rodent round-up! It’s a veritable vortex of vagabond voles! Are we to be vexed by vociferous vermin? Let’s find out while we have some fun!Your young band will love playing this one, as well as using their instruments in a creative but non-standard way. The effect of the little clicking critters can be quite amazing. Whoa! Here comes the CAT! Beware, though, because you know your band will want to play it again and again. Graydon Toms has composed some great music for young bands in the past, and this new one is sure to please the entire audience as well as the musicians. You’ve found a greatnew tune for your young band! CongRATulations! / Niveau : 2 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Overture. Par BULLA STEPHEN. Galvanizing, angular melodies electrify this compelling overture! Challenge your band with this powerful, modern piece while you fully engage the audience. The spectacular opening leads to unexpected and intriguing places with relentless energy. This would be a great composition to use when your group returns from the intermission of a major concert. An atmospheric middle section lets your group show their expressive side to great effect too, until the tension and forward motion return for the great conclusion. Intense! / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Five Variations on the 'Brugg Song'. Par SPARKE PHILIP. Kaleidoscope is a set of five variations of on the ‘Brugger Lied’ (Brugg Song) which is the traditional song of the town of Brugg. The lyrics tell of the geography, people and traditions of this charming and historic town, which is situated in the north of Switzerland, near to the German border, about halfway between Basel and Zurich. Each variation is based on tiny extracts of the theme, the whole piece therefore resembling the effect of a kaleidoscope, which juxtaposes small fragments of colour in a constantly changing pattern. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par TOMS GRAYDON A.. EEEEEEEK! It’s a whimsical excursion into the realm of the mechanical mice! It’s a rodent round-up! It’s a veritable vortex of vagabond voles! Are we to be vexed by vociferous vermin? Let’s find out while we have some fun!Your young band will love playing this one, as well as using their instruments in a creative but non-standard way. The effect of the little clicking critters can be quite amazing. Whoa! Here comes the CAT! Beware, though, because you know your band will want to play it again and again. Graydon Toms has composed some great music for young bands in the past, and this new one is sure to please the entire audience as well as the musicians. You’ve found a greatnew tune for your young band! CongRATulations! / Niveau : 2 / Musique légère originale / Répertoire / Concert Band