Par PROKOFIEV SERGEI. The Russian ballet director Sergei Diaghilev commissioned many composers to write music for the theatre. This was what caused Serge Prokofiev to compose the four part Scytische Suite (also known as Ala and Lolli) in 1916, from which The Enemy God and the Dance of the Spirits can be heard on this CD. This suite is one of Prokofiev's first works, and received negative criticism following its first performance on account of its being 'uncivilised'. Prokofiev himself wrote after this first performance '. . . The timpani player beat the skin of the timpani to tatters, and the whole orchestra voiced a protest. A cellist complained that he only put up with the violence, createdby the blaring brass, on account of his sick wife and three children. . . '. / Niveau : 5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. Singapura Suite was commissioned by Singapore's Ministry of Education Extracurricular Activities Branch to serve as a compulsory piece for the 1999 Singapore Youth Festival. 'Singapura' is the original name of Singapore in Malay, the native language there. Because Singapore is one of the most important harbors in the world, this two-piece work opens with a seaman's dance. An authentic melody, Chan Mali Chan, is woven into the middle of this first part, whose ABA form becomes clear through the recapitulation of the seaman's dance in a somewhat altered form. Singapore is also a dynamic city-state alive with excitement, thus the second part begins with a fitting dance, a fastbourrée. As contrast there is a second authentic melody, Dayung Sampan, a more easygoing sailing song. This short but curious suite ends in high spirits with a recapitulation of the beginning. / Niveau : 2.5 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par SCHWARZ OTTO M.. Asteroids and comets have played an important role throughout the history of life on earth. It is quite probable that the dinosaurs have been exterminated by an asteroid's impact in the Gulf of Mexico. Huge tidal waves and fire storms wiped out all life. This is the year 2067 according to the Christian calendar. A collision has just taken place in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and caused an asteroid to enter the earth's power of gravitation. It is instoppably approaching the blue planet. As its peoples have been fighting each other continuously, they missed the building of a global defence system against dangers coming from space. A scanner records the asteroid andimmediately sends a message to the President of the Anglo-American Union. The probability that the asteroid will hit the earth is judged 50% by the experts. Plans are made to shoot the celestial body with rockets live with hydrogen bombs or laser guns in order to throw it off its track, but they fail. The asteroid's size seems to threaten the existence of mankind. Those in the know stare at the night sky in bewilderment. But for the time being, there is still peace on earth. . . . / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

The Last Queen of Egypt. Queen Cleopatra ruled Egypt for over 20 years. She is one of antiquity's best-known women, in particular because of her relationships with Julius Caesar and, above all, Mark-Anthony, but also because the cause of her death remains a mystery. The work is split into three parts and performed without breaks. The first section begins with a bright introduction representing Mark-Anthony. Dynamic in nature and reminiscent of military music, this characterises the Roman general. But soon after, another theme emerges, softer and more melodic, symbolising Cleopatra's femininity. The two characters then combine on a faster tempo. The middle section of the work depicts the love that Mark-Anthony and Cleopatra feel for each other. This passionate relationship lasted ten years and produced three children. This is expressed by a warm and intense theme, just like the beauty of the Egyptian queen. The third and last section opens in a determined and military mood. Mark-Anthony and Cleopatra were often apart, the Roman general was often away on a campaign. They met up in Alexandria to celebrate their triumph. But, as the targets of the jealousy and ambition of Octavius, Julius Caesar's son, the lovers are trapped and await the inevitable conquest of Egypt by the Romans. When Mark-Anthony heard the false news that Cleopatra had committed suicide, he ended his own life. The Queen of Egypt, for her part, was imprisoned shortly afterwards. The two lovers remain one of History's most famous couples. This piece was commissioned by the Wind Orchestra of the town of Antony, near Paris, directed by Philippe Rossignol, to mark its 90th anniversary.

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

Grands ou petits il y a toujours eu des héros. Cette composition est dédiée à tous ces héros qui se consacrent à une cause ou une autre sous l?impulsion d?une forte conviction ceux qui ont un idéal et le défendent ceux qui réalisent leurs rêves et enfin ces ?héros de tous les jours? dont les gestes discrets demeurent méconnus. Ces héros sont partout fuyant souvent la notoriété. Music for a Hero est une oeuvre lumineuse qui mettra à jour les protagonistes placés sous votre baguette.

Par BULLA STEPHEN. Blues to the MAX! With lots of drive and down home blues harmonies, KENNESAW MOUNTAIN BLUES will latch on to your audience for keeps. Very accessible to Grade 2 1/2 bands, this is one of the most enjoyable pieces you’ll find for any level of ability. If you have a kickin’ drumset player, so much the better. Every section has gratifying parts to play, and the easy mixed-meter section sounds so natural but will keep ‘em all thinking. The concert band doesn’t often get the chance to play in styles like this, which is a shame, because it’s so much fun. How about letting your band try a style that’s about as far from John Phillip Sousa as you can get! Get down with some Blues! KENNESAW MOUNTAIN BLUES is a winner! / Niveau : 2.5 / Répertoire / Concert Band ou Harmonie

Par BARNES JAMES. Risoluto is a music term of Italian derivation, first appearing in the mid 1700s. A great many musical terms such as this are in Italian, because many of the important composers from the Renaissance to the Baroque were from the geographic area known today as Italy and spoke some form of Italian. Consequently, performance markings in their published music, widely disseminated through the rest of Europe, were in the language that they best understood. Music marked in this manner is to be played firmly and decisively with firm resolve and little variance from the marked tempo. It can be seen that while there are several stylistic changes in this piece, the tempo varies not a bit, holding firm at Allegro vivo, quarter note at 120, from first measure to last. / Date parution : 2022-09-20/ Répertoire / Concert Band

Blues to the MAX! With lots of drive and down home blues harmonies KENNESAW MOUNTAIN BLUES will latch on to your audience for keeps.Very accessible to Grade 2 1/2 bands this is one of the most enjoyable pieces you’ll find for any level of ability. If you have a kickin’ drumset player so much the better. Every section has gratifying parts to play and the easy mixed-meter section sounds so natural but will keep ‘em all thinking.The concert band doesn’t often get the chance to play in styles like this which is a shame because it’s so much fun. How about letting your band try a style that’s about as far from John Phillip Sousa as you can get! Get down with some Blues! KENNESAW MOUNTAIN BLUES is a winner!

Le nom de David Foster est associé à de nombreux artistes internationaux notamment Céline Dion Lionel Richie Madonna et Michael Bublé pour qui il a composé de grands succès. Sa chanson Because We Believe a séduit le monde entier grâce à la magnifique interprétation d?Andrea Boccelli lors de la cérémonie de clôture des Jeux Olympiques de Turin en février 2006. Because We Believe s?est classé numéro un des ventes dans la plupart des pays européens pendant plusieurs semaines. L?arrangement pour Orchestre d?Harmonie est signé Wim Stalman.