Olhos Verdes means nothing other than green eyes. A nice and light interim piece for all concerts. The infectious rhythm and the stirring melodies guarantee a good mood.

The Round Table a project of the concert band Odyssey in Belgium was specially composed to present the various instrumental groups and separate instruments of the orchestra. With this sparkling composition you can familiarise the audience with the wealth of sounds and the strength of your ensemble. As an opening or concert piece.

from the Opera The Night before Christmas-Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) composed his opera The Night before Christmas in 1894-95. The premiere took place on December 10 1895 in St. Petersburg. The libretto to the opera came from Rimsky-Korsakov himself and is based on a tale by Nikolai Gogol which some years earlier had already served as operatic material for Pjotr Tchaikovsky. The opera tells the story of Vakula the blacksmith of a small Ukranian village. He is madly in love with Oxana who demands - as proof of his love - a most unusual Christmas present: the magnificent slippers of the Empress. Knowing full well that in normal circumstances he would never be able to fulfil Oxana’s wish Vakula seekssupernatural assistance and finds it in the shape of the devil who comes up with a ploy to help him. The devil carries him on his back to St. Petersburg where during a lavish reception at court Vakula finds an opportunity to present his request to the empress. The Empress actually agrees to Vakula’s wish and hands over her slippers to him. Thereupon he returns to his own village. Here in the meantime he had been given up for dead and Oxana had been plunged into great sorrow as she had come to realise that she also truly loved Vakula. In the end however all misunderstandings are resolved and all adversities overcome: Oxana receives her extravagant present the lovers are united and the church bells call the villagers to the Christmas service.The vibrant Polonaise is played in the 3rd act of the opera at the entrance of the Empress whose appearance is anticipated in the prelude by the fanfare motives. The music paints a vivid picture of the party atmosphere and the marvellous décor at the imperial court of St. Petersburg which Rimsky-Korsakov conjures up in his opera and which can also be played outside of the Advent and Christmas season for example as an opening piece to any festive concert.

This work by the young Belgian composer Karel Deseure was written for the Koninklijke Harmonie (Royal Concert Band) De Wijngaard Vrijheidsvrienden from Wijnegem Belgium. Following an opening fanfare a brilliant allegro is heard featuring great alternating rhythms and virtuoso melodies. At the end the opening theme recurs this time with a wider instrumentation. This composition is suitable as an overture or contest piece.

Jello...The Colours of my Soul is an assignment that was written to be a lasting memory of the untimely dramatic death of a young child. The work came about due to various conversations between the father and the composer whereby the final resultmust be seen as an attempt by the composer to musically translate the feelings of the parents.The first part of the title Jello is a combination of the names of the two children of the commissioner namely Jelle and Lobcke and the Colours of mySoul are the colours of the soul of the parents who despite the loss of one of their children continue to cherish their two children. The introduction provides the atmosphere of grieving for the loss whereby use is made of pure fifths in order toportray the solidarity with nature as we are familiar with in symphonies by Bruckner. A little later a bit of the first theme is suggested which develops into a real funeral march.The Dies Irae as this occurs in Berlioz’s Fantastic Symphony (F E F D E C D) forms a leitmotiv through the entire work in order to symbolise the constant battle between life and death.Shortly before the storm-passage (where a wind machine is used) which announces disaster fragments from children’s songs areplayed to the accompaniment of a rising choir piece from behind the stage which strengthens the imminent confrontation with death.After the introduction of the two themes in the long introduction a quick passage follows in which all kinds ofbeautiful memories are recalled. There is story telling laughing and dancing. One of the previous children’s songs is also cited. The Dies Irea is heard once again this time short and fast.Bit by bit happy elements are steadily distorted untilseriousness breaks through again like an unavoidable and unstoppable evil. The entire piece becomes evermore stirring as if a big climax will follow. At this moment a very long fermata makes a sudden end to the hysterical allegro. The crucialmoment in the work follows...How does one deal with something as tragic as the death of one’s own child? Does one mourn for what no longer is and what never will be? Or does one try to cherish the beautiful moments and continue to live with thesecolourful memories?A subdued dignified choir piece captures the beautiful memories and ends in a positive hopeful tone.

The Story of King Arthur leads us back into the Middle Ages and straight to the legend of Arthur himself. The Belgian composer Filip Ceunen sketched the famous legend in three linked movements Camelot The Holy Grail and Excalibur thus creating an exciting work that is suitable for any wind band at a lower level. With this composition Filip Ceunen won the ‘Familie Van Riet-prijs 2015’ (Family Van Riet Award 2015).

This joyful festive march by the Belgian composer Sven Van Calster was written specially for young ensembles looking for a challenge. In Festiva all instrument groups are featured but the parts include sufficient doublings to cover any missing players. In a balanced concert programme a march is of course an absolute must!

The Legend of Ratu Kidul carries us into the world of Indonesian mythology on the island of Java:Once upon a time the Queen of the Southern Seas was a kind and beautiful princess. She was the daughter of Prabu Munding Wangi the favourite ofthe entire court and the local people. Her royal father doted on his daughter. Her name was Dewi Kadita but many called her Dewi Srengenge or the Angry Princess.Prabu Munding Wangi longed for an heir but Dewi Kadita’s mother couldn’t fulfil thiswish. So he took a second wife called Poetri Moentiara who was very jealous of the lovely princess and her mother. She begged the king to banish both her rivals from court. However Prabu Munding Wangi didn’t do as she asked. He loved his first wifeand her daughter. The second wife bore him a healthy heir but the monarch remained firm. So Poetri Moentiara called upon the renowned witch Djahil. She promised her a princely reward if Dewi Kandita and her mother were banished. Djahil thought fora moment and incanted this rapal (spell): “May leprosy befall you both”. Soon both mother and daughter began to suffer this dreadful disease. According to the law of the land they were to be banished to the wild forest high on the mountain. With aheavy heart King Munding Wangi saw the law carried out. So the two set off on their way to the forest covered in terrible sores. A great sadness fell across the land except for Poetri Moentiara the second wife of the king who had achieved heraim. The princess fell on hard times. In the forest lived a hermit who took pity on the mother and daughter. The queen couldn’t bear the shame and within a few days had died. Now Dewi Kandita was all alone in the world. There was still the hermit however who fortunately provided food and shelter in a cave temple. He bound her weeping sores but couldn’t relieve her emotional pain. Dewi Kandita became increasingly bitter and eventually left the hermit. She travelled southward from village tovillage further and further until eventually she reached the shores of the Southern Sea. She climbed upon a high cliff and gazed out onto the sea that spread before her. She was tempted to dive into the deep green and blue. In the cool waters shewould be able to forget all her pain and suffering. Suddenly awaking from these thoughts she jumped into the deep. The gods who had looked on Dewi Kandita throughout her hardships were filled with deep compassion. So they transformed her into apowerful spirit of the netherworld Ratu Kidul and to this day she resides in her grand palace under the sea.

From the first beat Sven Van Calster’s new composition gives the message - it’s time for celebrations to begin! Let’s Celebrate was composed for the youth band SJOW in Hoboken Belgium to commemorate their 10th anniversary and now bands around the world can use it to celebrate their own special occasions. This dynamic work gives every section a chance to shine. Lyrical melodies are heard in the woodwinds hip beats are laid down by the drum set and the brass plays with bravura. Perfect as an opener encore or simply to wake up the audience!

The Turtle Dove is without a doubt one of the most well-known British folk songs right up there with the likes of Greensleeves or Drink to Me Only . The Turtle Dove has been skillfully arranged for concert band by Swisscomposer and arranger Etienne Crausaz carefully keeping the mood and intimacy of the original melody.

This symphony is the most important work of Spanish composer Teo Aparicio-Barberán. The 2002 International Contest for Bands Ciudad de Valencia one of the most prestigious competitions in Europe marked its first public performance. Throughout the work which consists of three movements the composer uses a modern musical vocabulary and combines strong melodic instrumentation with impressive rhythmic passages. Asgard is based on a Scandinavian romantic narrative in the light of the ancient Germanic Sagas.…where the flowery landscape remains in that sweet-scented season where spring is always on the brink of summer. Its fields resemble smooth green lawns(maintained by the grazing red cattle and woolly sheep) and its forests are home to deer and songbirds. The area is protected by an unsurmountable stone wall and is impossible to enter except by the grace of Odin. It is here at High Nest in Val-hall that Odin sits on his throne and surveys all those in his dominion.

This three-movement work by the Swiss composer Etienne Crausaz reflects three true stories and fascinating legends from the Middle Ages. The first movement tells the dramatic story of the ‘witch’ Catherine ‘Catillon’ Repond (1662-1731). She was the last woman ever to be executed for sorcery. In the second movement the famous court jester Girard Chalamala occupies centre stage. This jester the last one at the castle of Count Greyerz could make everyone laugh. The third movement tells the story of Count Michael. He went down in history as a spendthrift bon-vivant. His burden of debt became so high that he did a moonlight flit and never came back!

This music sounds as if it came straight off the cinema screen. However there’s no movie for this fantastic score! Just like EVERY good film score this work also includes moving melodies fast virtuoso passages and last but not least a romantic love theme. The instrumentation takes into account that a group may not be complete and this means that the piece can be played by practically every orchestra. Highly recommended for concerts and competitions.

The Story of King Arthur leads us back into the Middle Ages and straight to the legend of Arthur himself. The Belgian composer Filip Ceunen sketched the famous legend in three linked movements Camelot The Holy Grail and Excalibur thus creating an exciting work that is suitable for any wind band at a lower level. With this composition Filip Ceunen won the ‘Familie Van Riet-prijs 2015’ (Family Van Riet Award 2015).

This work was commissioned by two fanfare bands from Loksbergen and Kortenaken in Belgium that have merged to form one single ensemble. This festive work has been constructed using two contrasting elements: a rhythmic fast theme full of character combined with a melodic sensitive and slow theme. The title refers to the enthusiastic fiery character of the opening passage the fast section and the renewed passion and drive that has been created due to the merging of the two bands.

This music sounds as if it came straight off the cinema screen. However there�s no movie for this fantastic score! Just like EVERY good film score this work also includes moving melodies fast virtuoso passages and last but not least a romantic love theme. The instrumentation takes into account that a group may not be complete and this means that the piece can be played by practically every orchestra. Highly recommended for concerts and competitions.

Country Scenes takes us back to the early English settlements on the American east coast. The opening section Daybreak depicts daybreak in a small village where people go about their daily business. In the second movement Procession we hear a stately and elaborate funeral march that symbolises the intertwining of religion with everyday life. The closing section Village Dance which is written in rondo form brings the lively atmosphere of a village festival to life.

The Beatles the most timeless and legendary pop group ever made history with an endless series of world hits that are still loved today. Filip Sandras has made a fluent arrangement out of Eleanor Rigby We can Work it Out Get Back and Hey Jude that can be played by every orchestra.

What if famous Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born in the 20th Century or beyond? You might probably never hear J. S. Bach the same way again. Bach to the Beat! is an upbeat arrangement comprised of a selection of eight well-known tunes by J. S. Bach all carefully constructed and put together in just over three and a half minutes - with apologies to Bach. This “Ba-rock”-styled work will definitely be a great addition to any band concert program!

This lively modern concert march from the Norwegian composer Morten J.Wallin is an ideal opening piece for your concerts. Hearty rhythmic brass alternates with tuneful melodies in all instrument groups.