Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. ‘Spirit of Independence’ was commissioned by the Koninklijke Fanfare ‘Onafhankelijkheid’ (‘Independence’) from Wiekevorst (Belgium) on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The piece depicts an enthusiastic amateur music club, practicing and making music together in an attentive and companionable atmosphere. The conductor has the good habit of trying to improve the sound of the fanfare by means of practicing chorales and hymns. Jan Van der Roost has used these facts in the dynamic concert piece ‘Spirit of Independence’: a chorale-like middle section is surrounded by music bubbling full of energy. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par SPARKE PHILIP. Philip Sparke composed Processional as a wedding present for two of his friends. It is an extremely versatile piece as it can be played simply as a concert piece but has been designed specifically for occasions such as weddings or graduation ceremonies, where it?s duration can be altered according to your needs. A must for any ceremonial occasion. / Niveau : 3 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Fanfare

The piece that helped launch Eric Whitacre's career in wind band composing! In this highly programmatic work Eric transforms a story from American folklore of a supernatural locomotive that roars throughout the Western U.S. Richin special effects and unique compositional techniques this dynamic piece creates vivid aural images as the train leaves the station and passes through a varied landscape.

Composed during the summer of 1988. Commissioned by The Norwegian Brass Band Club First performed in the Grieg Hall¬? at the 10th Anniversary Concert for the Norwegian Championship Bergen February 1989. EBML conducted by Michael Antrobus. The work is important for me because it was my first piece to be played outside Norway. Black Dyke/David King performed it and did a recording of it in 1991. The composer: In the original score I quote a Swedish bishop (Olaus Mangnus) who lived in the 15th century. He travelled around Scandinavia and drew maps - very important historic material. When he came to the north of Norway (where I come from) hedescribed the wind from the north as Ciricus: (something like) Worst of all winds is Circius that revolves(?= turn upside down) heaven and earth. (Well not a good translation I¬?m afraid). The fast sections reflects the mighty winds from the north. In the middle section I borrowed a folksong-like tune (by C. Elling a norwegian composer). The text (by Kristoffer Janson) tells about old times when the fishermen used open boats: they had to put their lives in the hands of God. De opening en het slot van dit werk beschrijven 'Circius' de wind die hemel en aarde verwoest. Het middendeel is een bewerking van het Noorse volkslied 'The fisherman's speech to his son'. De inhoud van het lied komt overeen met Circius. De vader verzoekt zijn zoon de krachten van de natuur te trotseren maar bovenal te respecteren. Een kort doch spectaculair concertwerk dat het gehele orkest in de greep heeft.

Elegy For Band. Par SPARKE PHILIP. The initial idea was for a millennium piece, which it is, but rather than add to the many celebratory pieces that have understandably been written to salute the 3rd millennium, Philip Sparke thought it would perhaps be appropriate to think about the aspects of life that are constantly with us (such as faith and philosophy) rather than the exciting changes that the year 2000 has undeniably wrought. This calm meditative work will bring a moment of serenity and reflection to any concert. / Niveau : 4 / Musique pour célébration / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par SPARKE PHILIP. The idea behind this work was to create an opening piece, something to start a concert in an unusual way. The title is a portmanteau word derived from madrigal. The work indeed begins in Renaissance mood however gradually tries to shake of its modal start and, by contrasting different instrumental families, the work changes into modern clothes. Why not add a little Renaissance splendor to any concert with this unique new work? / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

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 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par VAN DER ROOST JAN. This suite was composed by Jan Van der Roost on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the ‘Koninklijke Sint Martinusfanfare’ (Royal Saint Martinus Fanfare Band) from Halle (Belgium). The composer was required to create a suite in three movements based on three images associated with the ‘Sint Martinusfanfare’ from the small town of Halle in the province of Brabant. The first movement (Andante Pomposo) describes Martin, a soldier in the Roman army. In Andante Moderato we see the image of Martin, who become a Christian and chooses to devote his life to God. In this movement, the composer was inspired by the Brabantine gothic art of the Sint Martinus Basilica in Halle. Thecontrast between the dark Basilica and the statue of Our Lady between the soaring pillars will vividly come to life for audiences of this descriptive piece. The final movement, Allegro Molto Vivace’, could have been an image for a frivolous peasant in the Halle carnival. In a triptych about St. Martin it is more fitting to refer to it as an apotheosis, the crown on the pastoral work of Martin, Bishop of Tours, Patron Saint of the Fanfare Band and the Basilica of Halle. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare

Par HIROSE HAYATO. Hayato Hirose spent his childhood and college days in the United States and it was his impressions and experiences from these years that acted as the inspiration for this exciting ‘American style’ overture. American Overture will make an ideal opening piece to any concert. / Niveau : 4 / Pièce de concert / Répertoire / Fanfare