Par HOUBEN KEVIN. Kevin Houben a composé avec When the Lights Go Down, un merveilleux choral qui peut amener un moment de réflexion dans tout programme de concert. Les mélodies humbles et magnifiques du début de cette composition se développent lentement jusqu'à atteindre un point culminant avec une orchestration croissante. Le morceau commence par un Adagio Meditativo suggestif, suivra l’exposition du thème principal. Une section centrale sous forme de pont emmène l'auditeur à travers les différentes sphères dans lesquelles les percussions mélodiques et rythmiques enrichissent les parties du choral. Finalement, les éléments thématiques de l'introduction ramènent le morceau à une fin calme et paisible. La simplicité même avec laquelle cette œuvre est écrite en fait une pièce de concert accomplie et magnifique. ‘When the Lights Go Down’ fait référence à un moment où le temps s'arrête pour un instant, au calme en soi et autour de soi./ Répertoire / Concert Band/Harmonie

Par CURNOW JAMES. This work was commissioned in memory of Peter J. Swanson, a trumpet and cornet player who tragically died at the tender age of fourteen. Peter’s favorite gospel song, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, has been used as the basis for this piece of contrasts which takes the listener through many styles and moods. The spiritual character of the original song resounds gloriously in When Time Will Be No More. / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Music is perhaps unique among the performing arts in its ability to express and convey the subtlest nuances of human emotion This ability is exploited in When the Spirit Soars which attempts to capture in music the feeling of extreme happiness, sometimes almost too much to bear, that we all experience at one time or another. Often this happiness can be tinged with sadness (we can cry with joy, after all) and it is this conflict of emotions which this piece describes. There are moments of doubt as the piece progresses, but it ends in undiluted joy. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Quelle est cette odeur agreable. ‘Whence is that Goodly Fragrance Flowing?’ is the first line of an old French Christmas song that originated in the 17th century. In 1728 John Gay used this joyous and markedly festive melody that honours Jesus Christ and His miraculous birth in his Beggar’s Opera. Philip Sparke has given this melody a new lease of life with his charming and imaginative arrangement for the Christmas season. / Niveau : 3 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par DE HAAN JACOB. The Book of Urizen is a work for concert band, solo soprano, and a male narrator in which sound collages of religious expressions are used. The piece is inspired by the compelling visionary poem of the same name (which the poet illustratedhimself) by the Englishman William Blake (1757-1827), who occupies a unique position in western literature and the visual arts. He was not just a poet and a writer, but he was also a graphic artist, a painter, an illustrator, a spiritualist, areligious visionary, and a mystic philosopher. For the performance of this work, a professional sound system, including two microphones and a CD player, is needed. The three sound collages are three separate tracks on the enclosed CD and can beplayed easily at the right moment. The Book of Urizen bears resemblance to Genesis and Exodus, of which the contents form the basis of the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faith. Blake adhered to the principle that all religions are in fact one, and that deities reside in human beings. In The Book of Urizen this is represented in “The Net of Religion, ” which is spanned over the earth by Urizen. The sound collages, compiled by Jacob de Haan in the studio, find their origin inJerusalem, the Holy City, where the afore-mentioned faiths “come together. ” In the first movement of this composition, The Vision, Urizen prepares his vision of the world, and he presents this to the “Eternals. ” His vision is rejected, and Urizen locks himself up in his own abstract world. When he does emerge again, he is confronted with rage by the gathered Eternals. Urizen flees the wrath of the Eternals, “the flames of eternal fury, ” and enwombs himself in his own world. Whenthe Eternals see Urizen in his “stony sleep, ” they wonder if this is death. The blacksmith Los is torn by grief because of the isolation of Urizen. It brings him to rouse his fires, prepare his forge, and to give Urizen’s world concrete form. In the second movement, The Creation, Urizen’s world, but also man, woman, and child are created. Los is horrified with the appearance of Urizen’s body. He mourns and pities Urizen, and from his blood a female form comes into being, with thename Enitharmon. The Eternals, fearful of the female form, decide to erect a tent to obstruct their view to eternity. Enitharmon and Los beget a son, called Orc. Los baptizes him as a child of the “fallen world. ” Orc is fed at Enitharmon’s breast, which makes a girdle of jealousy restrict Los’ chest. He takes the child to the top of the mountain and chains him down. The cries of Orc awaken Urizen, who explores his world creating instruments of scientific measurement to do so. Los encircles theface of Enitharmon from the sight of Urizen and Orc. She then populates the earth by giving birth to an enormous race. The Web, third movement of The Book of Urizen is now available: DHP 1125252 / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

From 'The Ruins of Athens' Opus 113. Par BEETHOVEN LUDWIG VAN. Brisk and inviting! This joyful and familiar melody by Ludwig Van Beethoven will quickly become a staple of your music library when you add it to your permanent collection. Articulation and dynamic contrasts abound, making TURKISH MARCH a solid choice for festival. It’s also a great teaching and reinforcement tool when working on staccato playing. The piece can be effective at a wide range of tempi, from brisk to stately. Thoughtful cueing keeps the arrangement accessible even to groups that have troublesome instrumentation. It never hurts to have young bands play music from the great masters, and this little gem is so endearing that any audience will delight in yourperformance. / Niveau : 3 / Marche de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par JOHNSON TIMOTHY. TRIUMPHANT SPIRIT was written to capture the essence of the spirit of triumph that exists when we endure hardship, and prevail. Those who took part in the rescue efforts resulting from the attacks on America on September 11, 2001 vividly personified this spirit. TRIUMPHANT SPIRIT displays impressive compositional techniques, colorful orchestration, and dazzling rhythmic counterpoint. Exotic harmonies and primal percussion are underlying concepts of this intriguing musical exploration, and the intense finale is gratifying indeed. Powerful! / Niveau : 3 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Arr. Timothy Johnson. Par BRAHMS JOHANNES. Brahms was known to be extremely careful when composing his music. When he decided to compose a symphony he wanted to be sure to exceed the standard that had been set by Beethoven. His first symphony, completed in 1876 when he was 43 years old, took several years to complete because of his attention to detail. This arrangement of the theme from the finale highlight the long, flowing nature of Brahms’ melodies. A real treat for any band. / Niveau : 1 / Répertoire / Concert Band

Par VAN BELCUM HENK. As the title suggests, this work is a partita: it consists of a number of variations on a chorale melody. The partita has been popular for centuries, especially when it comes to organ music. Henk van Belcum, who is active in the choir world, chose for his Partita Piccola the German hymn Wunderbarer König as a starting point. Partita Piccola consists of four variations and a choral setting. After a majestic opening fanfare, the second variation follows, based on a canon by Pachelbel. Händel’s Sarabande is the basis of the third variation. Next comes the chorale setting, after which the work ends festively with a dance that has been written in the form of a courante. PartitaPiccola is an asset for church services and for concert platforms. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie