As written by Gerry Rafferty-Baker Street est une originale station du métro londonien. Elle fut en outre le lieu des débuts de la carrière musicale du guitariste écossais Gerry Rafferty qui devint mondialement célèbre un jour de 1978 avec la chanson éponyme Baker Street. Véritable phénomène planétaire Baker Street lui permit de vendre son premier album City to City à plus de 4 5 millions d?exemplaires. Cette chanson extraordinaire contient un solo de saxophone d?anthologie (sans doute le plus connu de la musique pop). L?arrangement pour orchestre d?harmonie contient un solo optionnel pour guitare électrique ou guitare basse (ou saxophone alto).Absolument génial !

Avec Advents-Fantaisie Roland Kernen signe une oeuvre intense débordante d'émotions et apportant un immense sentiment de quiétude. Macht hoch die Tür Maria durch ein Dornwald ging et O Bethlehem du kleine Stadtsont les trois mélodies réunies dans cet arrangement idéal pour toute programmation du temps de l'Avent et de Noël.

Le blues s?est façonné dans les plantations du Sud des États-Unis. C?est dans cette musique mélancolique que les esclaves tentèrent d?apaiser quelque peu les souffrances d?une vie de misère. Le blues devient alors source de consolation. Parmi les éléments qui caractérisent ce genre musical on trouve les blue notes composantes fondatrices du style qui apparaissent également dans cette composition de Roland Kernen.

Soul Time de Roland Kernen est un triptyque qui contient tous les éléments caractéristiques d?une œuvre de musique légère : une mélodie plaisante associée à un rythme entraînant. Que du plaisir !

Es st ein Ros entsprungen-Le célèbre choral Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen (D?un arbre séculaire) a été écrit par le compositeur allemand Michael Praetorius (1571-1621). Christmas Variations de Roland Kernen est une suite de variations sur ce choral.

Thomas Tallis écrivit son deuxième psaume dans le cadre de ses Nine tunes for Archbishop Parker?s Psalter en 1567 une collection qui fut utilisée fréquemment comme source d?inspiration dans le passé. Tandis que des compositeurs comme Vaughan Williams ou Philip Sparke ont cité et varié le thème d?une manière toujours reconnaissable la version de Rob Goorhuis après une introduction déguisant le thème ne le présente en forme originale qu?une fois mais d?une façon splendide et spectaculaire.

Hymnus was commissioned by the Wilhelmina Easterein Fanfare Orchestra in the Autumn of 1999 for their performance at the World Music Contest Kerkrade. The commission was the result of a collaboration between the composer and the thenmusical director Marten van der Wal. The exact meaning of the word Hymnus is not known but it is taken in this presentation to mean hymn or hymn-like. The melodic material is organic and grows from an initial unison tone. Thisinterval is gradually expanded to form the cell F E C F a semitone third fifth. The only other melodic motif is the ascending three-note pattern spanning a major third. This is the second of his compositions to use this ascending motif theother being Fanfare for a Bright New Age for Brass Band and Organ also of 2000. These characteristic intervals appear in many contrasting moods and guises throughout the piece. The opening unison notes are intended to convey as sense ofpower and magnificence like the first sounds at the dawning of the universe. After the immense power a period of stunned silence and reverence. The evolution of the hymn melody incorporates a variety of moods and atmospheres sometimes expressing much joy and celebration whilst also suggesting periods of intense savagery or prayerful contemplation. The hymn builds as the piece progresses and is finally stated in its complete form at letter W. The official worldpremiere of the work was given by Wilhelmina Easterein at the World Music Contest 2001. Whilst the composer was unable to attend in person he was able to enjoy the premier simultaneously transmitted via a mobile phone from the audience! Conductors Note The tempo indications are to be viewed as a guide rather than a literal instruction. Within the music there is an innate sense of pulse and metre lending itself to considerable rubato. Melody is king and all else is mere support and decoration careful attention must therefore be given to balance.

Franeker (formerly known as Froonacker) is a bustling city situated in the north of The Netherlands. Carl Wittrock wrote this challenging march in honour of the anniversary of one of the music associations of this city. A true asset for the repertoire list of concert marches!

David Well composed 'Frida's Whiskers' in commemoration of his own cat who met an untimely end. Frida (whose real name was 'Godefrida van Coopersburg thoe Nieuwenhuys') was a lively creature who led a playful and uncomplicated life. She used to sleep in her basket for hours but when she woke up she upset the entire house and its furnishing. Curtains were inspected from top to bottom and flower pots fell from window-sills just like that! Outside in the open air she was in her element. She used to frolic bouncing into the air. After such playful moods she would return to her basket tired but satisfied where being the cleanly cat that shewas she subjected her entire body whiskers included to a thorough wash.