Fanfare for the Champions was commissioned by the municipal concert band of Landeck under the direction of Helmut Schmid on the occasion of the 375th anniversary of the band. The orchestra which premiered Nostradamus (a key work of the composer) and which also commissioned Mantua - Freedom of the Eagle has forged a friendship with the composer over a period of many years. This orchestra has participated in the major European competitions and has always performed with distinction—thus the title of the work Fanfare for the Champions .The fanfare which is written in a style typical for the composer should convey a feeling ofhappiness: the feeling to have created or accomplished something special. Don’t resist that feeling!

(1929-1945)-The impressive musical images created by Otto M. Schwarz tell the story of the German girl Anne Frank who lived in hidden rooms of an Amsterdam town house until her family was betrayed and deported to Auschwitz where they all - apart from her father - went to their deaths. The composer who himself is the father of two daughters has illustrated various scenes from this young girl’s short life in a dramatic and cinematic style.

The Giant Snake-This spectacular work is based on the legend of La Vouivre - the giant snake. Suitable as a contest or concert piece La Vouivre is full of sounds effects such as the sound of a snake as well as short vocal tutti segments. Due to itsexpressive and dramatic nature this musical symphonic poem is a true masterwork.

Sinfonia-This attractive overture by Saverio Mercadante is an important example of original composition for band from the 19th century. Mercadante was inspired by themes by Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) from his most famous operas such as Norma and La Sonnambula . Mercadante’s method of composing was similar to Verdi’s who wrote overtures using themes from his operas (such as the overtures to Nabucco and La Forza del Destino for example). The result is a fascinating alternation of lyric and dramatic moments ending in a fast and enthralling finale. This arrangement offers contemporary concert bands access to a composition otherwise forgotten due to itsobsolete instrumentation which differs dramatically from the present one. The original instrumentation included the following instruments: Flute Eb Clarinet Bb Clarinets 1-2-3-4- Eb Horns 1-2-3-4 Bb Flugel Horn Bb Cornets 1-2 Trombones 1-2-3 Bb Bass Flugel Horn Bb Tenor Horn “Pelittoni” (Contrabass Flugel Horns) 1-2 Snare Drum Bass Drum Cymbals. The adaptation to a contemporary instrumentation has been accomplished by taking into account the original ideas so as to maintain the authentic character of the composition.

Music by James Last-German band leader composer arranger and music producer James Last has created many hits during his long career. Particularly memorable are the theme tunes and soundtracks that he composed for television programs and films. Gilbert Tinner has arranged Last’s award-winning melody from the 1968 TV-film Morgens um sieben (ist die Welt noch in Ordnung) for concert band.

Life! est un medley original de trois succès planétaires. Sortie dans les années 1960 on compte d’innombrables reprises de la ballade For Once in My Life dont celle du grand Stevie Wonder. Avec Good Mornin’ Life de Dean Martin nous entrons dans l’ère du swing. Quant à The Good Life de Frank Sinatra il s’agit de la reprise de la chanson française La belle vie composée par Sacha Distel pour le segment L’orgueil réalisé par Roger Vadim pour le film Les sept péchés capitaux (1962). Laissez le charme opérer !

The giant Haymon was a peaceful knight who lived in Inntal (Austria). One day the bloodthirsty giant Thyrsos came and destroyed Haymon’s castle. A horrible fight ensued and Haymon being the better armed was victorious and slew his adversary. But instead of rejoicing in his success Haymon felt deep remorse. This remorse led him to seek out a monk and become a Christian upon which he immediately started building a monastery. Once completed Haymon joined the monastic order. Two statues at the monastery’s entrance stand in remembrance of his victory. A colossal new work for concert band.

The Waltz Joan of Arc-In 1981 the group OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) managed to turn the ancient legend of Joan of Arc into a modern electro-pop song-and thus leave a landmark in the landscape of pop themselves. The solemn melody over the steady drums in 4/4time creates an almost hypnotic effect that will charm anyone who hears this wind band arrangement.

‘Saxpack’ was commissioned for the centenary of the Vienna Police Orchestra whose members include one of the most prolific Austrian saxophonists Gert Kolaja. The work is composed in a very modern style incorporating many contemporary saxophone techniques. This is definitely a piece that saxophonists band and listeners will enjoy.

In writing this piece Gino Bergamini was inspired by the figure of Davy Crockett hunter and pioneer in the colonisation of the western part of North America. The piece is built entirely on the smooth succession of intriguing themes and characterised by sharp rhythms. The themes after a short elaboration with an expressive and meaningful style return in a finale with rich sonority to recreate the fascinating atmosphere of that mythical hero Davy Crockett.

Sinfonia dall' opera- Tancredi composed in 1813 is rarely performed in today’s opera houses however its overture or Sinfonia as it was called at the time is well-liked and has received regular performances over the years. This arrangement for concert band has been written so as to retain the original spirit of this immortal short composition one of Rossini’s favourites.

Sketches from Nowhere is the second composition that Thomas Doss has written for brass band. The title was inspired by various images the composer saw in his mind’s eye while working on this piece: pictures of foreign places; pictures of the creation of our world. The main motif that weaves its way from the beginning to the end of the work is meant to parallel humanity’s great evolution: from its humble beginnings as mere stardust to the present day.

A musical by Michael Kunze & Sylvester Levay-Mozart! is Wolfgang Wössners arrangement of melodies from the recent hit musical by Sylvester Levay and Michael Kunze which describes the turbulent and tragic life of the musical genius Mozart. Along with fragments of Mozart’s own music new melodies varying from classic musical-songs and ballads to rock-like hits alternate in this musical extravaganza.

In memoriam Anton Bruckner-The convent of St. Florian was the place of work of the upper Austrian composer Anton Bruckner. This convent with its marvellous church where many of his great symphonies were composed is situated in the middle of a rural idyll. St. Florian Choral is Thomas Doss’ modest and deep bow to this great master whose music has been very formative for the composer’s musical life.

Otto M. Schwarz is endeavoring to contribute new ideas to concert band literature. He has contributed in the field of multimedia (Asteroid) and with his many compositions in symphonic/modern arrangement (Jazz Waltz No 1 Fire and Ice or Band Fever). His new composition Funk Attack is as the name suggests a piece in funk style. Otto M. Schwarz first gained his experience in his style in the 8o?s transcribing numbers by famos Amerarican bands including Earth Wind and Fire Tower of Power and the British slap idol Mark King (Level 42). Funk attack is atypical of the concert band scene and requires absolute precision in phrasing and rhythm. Without the support of agreat percussion groove the orchestra plays an interlocked theme in the central section in style of recent American Big Bands. Otto M. Schwarz dedicated this work to Alexander Veit and Symphonic Winds.

‘Saxpack’ was commissioned for the centenary of the Vienna Police Orchestra whose members include one of the most prolific Austrian saxophonists Gert Kolaja. The work is composed in a very modern style incorporating many contemporary saxophone techniques. This is definitely a piece that saxophonists band and listeners will enjoy.

Scenes from Lake Constance-Armin Schaer commissioned this work in his search for a new piece for the tuba. More specifically he wanted a work that showed off the versatility of this splendid instrument written in a musical style that is both fresh and modern while not banishing the orchestra to a simple supporting role. Taking all these specifications into account Thomas Doss created a work that allows stylistic leaps and is fun exciting romantic and virtuosic but does not lose sight of the thread that connects the opening measures to the very last.Armin Schaer describes his Panoptikum as follows: Panoptikum is a show of appreciation for my beautiful home and community at LakeConstance an eventful life the people that have enriched this life and a fascinating instrument: the tuba. This work musically embodies the many different moods found around theBodensee - cheerfulness and melancholy departures and longing calm and agitation. The roles of the soloist and the orchestra were consciously crafted in a way that does not follow the usual conventions of the genre. The work should spark emotions address broad segments of listeners and persuade them of the tuba’s ability to be a solo instrument as well as the richness symphonic wind ensembles have to offer. I hope this work enriches the lives of all the soloists and orchestras that cross its path as well as everyone in the audience who gets to partake!

3 Traumbilder für sinfonisches Blasorchester-Cette pièce a pour thème le mythe de l’Atlantide île légendaire aux dimensions d’un continent qui selon la mythologie grecque fut engloutie dans l’océan par un tremblement de terre. L’œuvre retrace en trois parties l’apparition la vie et la disparition sous les eaux de l’île légendaire qui connut la prospérité et les plaisirs de la richesse : des terres fertiles des palais des temples. Un faste dont la musique de Thomas Doss traduit l’enchantement : les reflets du soleil sur les toits couverts d’or irradient de lumière les deux premiers mouvements. Mais comme le veut la légende à la fin de la pièce après une danse mystérieuse la terre tremble l’île sombrelentement et disparaît à nouveau dans l’océan.

Aroldo number 22 of the 32 operas written by Verdi is certainly not one of the best-known works from the genius of Busseto. Written in 1857 it is in fact a remake of the 1848 opera Stiffelio which told a story of adultery and which was censored for its indecent content. Verdi found the censorship of Stiffelio unacceptable and with a performance in Verona approaching at the start of 1851 he wrote to his editor Ricordi: If my libretto is censored it will not be possible to obtain the effect I desire so I would rather wait until I can rewrite the last scene. But the modifications to Stiffelio did not stop there. The setting the historical period andthe finale were also completely changed. In the process of converting Stiffelio to Aroldo Verdi no doubt succeeded in strengthening certain moments. However the fame of the three operas he had written in the meantime - Rigoletto Il Trovatore and La Traviata - did not allow Aroldo to receive the recognition it deserved. The opera's symphony is indeed a superb work and contains moments of outstanding lyricism. The trumpet solo in the introduction is the longest written by Verdi for this instrument.

Bertrand Moren originally composed this march for the brass band Concordia of Bagnes in Switzerland of which he is the conductor. Festive develops a sparkling and playful melodic line over a strong theme in the low brass section. This version for concert band is full of vitality and will bring a touch of liveliness to any concert. Festive is also suitable for an outdoor performance.