Arctic Funk might just as well have been a flashing sequel to a scene from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story. Popular music but with a difference as indicated by the title. The work's quiet section temporarily soothes down the heated passion of its two corner movements but everywhere else action is required throughout. The work was commissioned in 1991 by Troms? Brass. Situated just above the Polar Circle Troms? is one of Norway's northernmost towns. Topographically the town probably comes across as freezing cold but Troms? is famous for its 'warm' night-life. The Composer: In Arctic Funk you might get a feeling of a party that takes place betweenice-rocks and snow-capped mountains.

In this swinging composition the saxophone section plays a leading role. Composer and saxophone player Schulte knows better than anyone a swinging dialogue to create between the saxophone section and the band whereby the soloists also have some amazing solos.

If there is one country whose music everyone can recognize it is China. Both the pentatonic patterns and the atmosphere will take you there. And Peking Duck is a delicacy that you simply must try!

Czech composer Antonin Dvorak is best-known for his beautiful string-quartets his symphonies (especially nr.9 'From the New World') and his Slavonic Dances Op. 46 and 72. Dutch composer and arrranger Jan Bosveld adapted two dances (nrs. 4 and 7) from his opus 46 to the wind-band medium. Alternating between the virtuoso and the melancholy these lovely little pieces for orchestra above all provoke responses of instant recognition with your audiences. Uit de Slavische Dansen Opus 46 bewerkte Jan Bosveld op kleurrijke wijze de 4e en 6e dans. De weemoed passie en vreugde straalt af van zijn prachtige muziek en nu dus ook voor concertband.

According to his teachers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) was not particularly gifted. His special talents were acknowledged only in 1865 when he had been working for the Ministry of Finances for some years. In 1866 he was appointed teacher at the Conservatory and applied himself to composing. His oeuvre is fairly extensive and many of his compositions receive a high ranking on the international list of classical music including his six symphonies solo concertos (violin concerto and piano concertos) ballets (The Nut Cracker Swan Lake) and his overtures (1812 and Romeo and Juliette). In 1893 Tchaikovsky died of Cholera after drinking a glass of infectedwater. His Slavonic March is a popular concert piece for symphonic orchestra that is still frequently performed in concert halls. David Well arranged the theme and created a contemporary march in rock style. Tchaikovsky once said to an unsatisfied teacher: ‘I will be a great composer within 10 years time.’

A beautiful ballad by the talented German composer Andreas Ludwig Schulte. In the romantic A Reunion in Love a leading role for the trombone player. Een prachtige ballade van de veelbelovende en getalenteerde Duitse componist Andreas Ludwig Schulte. In het romantische Reunion in Love is een hoofdrol weggelegd voor de trombonist(e).

Zamunda is the name of an island that does not exist but only lives in the spirit of Andrew Mackereth. Listening to this composition you can imagine that Zamunda is a touristic attraction that can grow in the future. Travel into the mind of this promising English composer and convince yourself of the beauty of Zamunda. Suitable as opener or closer on your concert.

A march full of atmosphere in the Italian style. Verdi would be jealous.

Commissioned by the Norwegian Band Federation and Tom Brevik. Composed in 1991. The composer:Elegy and March was one of my first original compositions (no quotations no folk-tunes) and it was one of my earliest attempts to experiment with form. The elegy-part is quite obvious but the march is not quite a march. If the elegy-part tells a sad story then the march should tell a happy story. My problem is that I don¬?t think life is like that. Result: the march collapses! De liefhebbers van de muziek van de Scandinaviër Aagaard-Nilsen kunnen hun hart ophalen bij dit bijzondere werk. In de tweedelige compositie zijn de delen thematisch aan elkaarverwant. De Elegy is een verstild werkje met prachtige klankvelden. Alle instrumenten komen aan bod maar nooit tegelijk. Hoe anders is dat in de mars waarbij ragfijn orkestspel wordt gevraagd. De componist: Elegy and March was een van mijn eerste originele werken (geen citaten geen volksliedjes) en het was een van mijn eerste pogingen om te experimenteren met vorm. De elegie deel is vrij duidelijk maar de mars is niet helemaal een mars. Als het elegie-deel een triest verhaal vertelt dan zou de mars een gelukkig verhaal moeten vertellen. Mijn idee is dat dat in het echte leven ook niet zo is. Resultaat: de mars stort totaal in! Weer iets totaal anders van de Noorse meester!

A march full of atmosphere in the Italian style. Verdi would be jealous.

A warm romantic pastorale very suitable as calm interlude in your program. John Brastad band master of the Bergen Salvation Army Band ((Norway) made the arrangement for brass band. Een warme romantische 'pastorale' zeer geschikt als rustpunt in uw programma. John Brakstad bandmaster van de Bergen Salvation Army Band ((Noorwegen)maakte het arrangement voor brassband.

Which of us does not have them memories? Everyone sometimes remembers things from the past be they happy memories or not. Sometimes a scent may remind us of a particular place or a tune may bring back memories of a certain situation. John DeBee experienced something similar when he heard a song on the radio: he immediately picked up his pen and composed ‘Flashback’. It has become a piece that appeals to the ear which will provide both the musicians performing it and their audience with pleasant memories.

In English-speaking countries ‘Away in a Manger’ is one of the first Christmas songs to be taught to little children. It is a moving song with simple words which makes it easy to understand. The song is also known as ‘Luther’s Cradle Hymn’. This suggests that Martin Luther was the author of the lyrics. According to researchers however this is a misconception – the author is unknown. In England ‘Away in a Manger’ is sung to a different melody than in the USA for example. The ‘English’ melody was composed by W.J. Kirkpatrick. Andrew Mackereth made a touching arrangement of the ‘English’ melody which suits the tender lyrics perfectly.

Written for St. Caecilia - Hoogland (NL). This concert piece can be performed with a large percussion group.

In English-speaking countries ‘Away in a Manger’ is one of the first Christmas songs to be taught to little children. It is a moving song with simple words which makes it easy to understand. The song is also known as ‘Luther’s Cradle Hymn’. This suggests that Martin Luther was the author of the lyrics. According to researchers however this is a misconception – the author is unknown. In England ‘Away in a Manger’ is sung to a different melody than in the USA for example. The ‘English’ melody was composed by W.J. Kirkpatrick. Andrew Mackereth made a touching arrangement of the ‘English’ melody which suits the tender lyrics perfectly.

An attractive work by the hand of Al Govan. Musicians and listeners will enjoy this three-part suite including: O Come All Ye Faithfull Silent Night Hark the Herald Angels Sing and fragments including from Jingle Bells and Joy to the World.

The composer: A short concert-opener where I use Norwegian folk-tunes. I wanted to create a short musical picture of the Vikings running from the seashore towards some people they wanted to fight down. They used to drink something made of mushrooms and became very wild. They didn¬?t feel any pain they didn¬?t feel any fear. They where called the Berserkings! Ze voelden geen pijn en kenden geen angst... de Vikingen! Na het drinken van een speciale drank van paddenstoelen konden ze de hele wereld aan. Fraaie Noorse volksmelodieën gebruikend schetst Aagaard-Nilsen het hero?sche beeld van aanvallende Vikingen. Klaar om de kust te bestormen...

Eurock is the gripping title of the five-part rock composition written by David Well.

A gem from the Norwegian folk music. No difficult and complicated matter but music based on sounds and atmosphere. The melody is one of pure beauty and mystical characteristic of the tranquil scenery of Norway. Solo for 2 B-flat instruments. Een juweeltje uit de Noorse volksmuziek. Geen moeilijke ingewikkelde materie maar muziek gebaseerd op klank en sfeer. De melodie is er een van pure schoonheid en karakteristiek voor het mystieke verstilde Noorse landschap. Solo voor 2 bes instrumenten.

Vittorio Monti was born on January 6 1868 in Naples (Italy). His musical education (violin and composition) he enjoyed at the conservatory there. Around his 30's Monti went to Paris. He earned a living as a conductor and wrote several ballets and operettas. In his last years Monti died in 1922 he devoted himself to teaching and composing. His famous Czardas has made his name known even today. Initially the czardas was a Hungarian folk dance but after the mid-nineteenth century it was even a dance for the upper-class. Czardas begins with a slow introduction the Lassan (slow and sad) and then the fast part Friska follows. Czardas is not as somany people think typical gypsy music.