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.

Fantasie-Après avoir achevé la création de la Terre Dieu créa l’homme et la femme. Il les bénit et leur dit : « Soyez féconds multipliez-vous remplissez la terre et soumettez-la. (…) ». Cette fantaisie illustre la manière dont l’homme a réellement fait usage de cette recommandation. Le passage d’ouverture décrit la création de l’être humain. Et puis très vite l’homme part en guerre contre ses frères. L’impossibilité d’enrayer le processus en cours conduit l’homme vers une déshumanisation. La nature et l’environnement souffrent plus que jamais des dommages causés par l’humanité. Dans sa logique de domination absolue l’homme a détourné et oublié le sens premier de la recommendationdivine : la responsabilité et le respect envers la terre.La nature finit toujours par reprendre ses droits. S’il veut survivre l’homme doit se réconcilier avec elle sinon il est amené à disparaître. L’humanité hésite encore quant au chemin à suivre tandis que des fanfares annoncent le Jugement dernier. Genesis (La Genèse se développe dans un environnement harmonique bitonal et dissonant en osmose avec la nature du sujet traité. Impressionnante sur le plan sonore cette œuvre reste néanmoins accessible et agréable pour les musiciens et le public.

In Music for Cinema Bertrand Moren pays tribute to film music a genre he has particularly passion for. The work opens with a sonorous introduction which gradually leads into the central passage which alternates between discordant plaintive lines and expressive and passionate solo phrases. A mysterious and tense bridge passage brings a feeling of fear which leads into the finale in which the opening melodic line returns over perky and joyful rhythms.

Die Österreichische-Austria is an industrious country. During the last century—which was characterized by extreme changes—the hard-working and ambitious people achieved a great deal enduring two world wars and numerous political skirmishes. Despite all the problems involved in a change from a dual monarchy to a small state Austria has found its independence. With his Austrian Overture Thomas Doss looks toward the future. The first part of the composition provides an optimistic outlook; along with the happiness and energy some musical humor is also present: while the horns powerfully express joy small yodeling melodies sound throughout. As the rhythm continues insearch of new ways to go catchy tunes compete to be heard. However in addition to the energetic diligent Austria there’s also the quiet landscape where one can enjoy repose and beauty. These aspects - as well as the freedom of spirit and cultural life -are conveyed in the second part of the work through the surprising linking of chords romantic phrasing and tender melodies. But life never stands still: creativity ambition and work are the driving forces of our existence. Embracing this thought a reprise of the first part provides a compelling ending.

A Triumphant Fanfare est une fanfare d’ouverture majestueuse dans laquelle Franco Cesarini révèle son incontestable maîtrise mélodique. Un seul et même thème chemine du début à la fin sans jamais perdre de son intensité et de son attrait. A Triumphant Fanfare s’ouvre avec un appel puissant et triomphant des trompettes en alternance avec des motifs rythmiques à la percussion. L’exposition de la ligne mélodique marque un joli contraste avec le passage précédent puis la musique s’oriente à nouveau vers une dimension plus majestueuse. Le thème est joué marcato ; les rythmes sont appuyés et dynamisants. Après un court passage modulatoire l’œuvre se terminedans une abondance de couleurs sonores.

Romantic Masterpieces-This collection contains works selected and arranged by Franco Cesarini that explore the wide spectrum of Russian romantic music. On one side are the followers of Russian nationalism including composers from Glinka and Mussorgsky to Cui and Glasunov. They provide a contrast to the more western influenced music of Tchaikovsky and Rubinstein. The book comes with a CD which includes demos of each piece and piano accompaniments to play along with when a pianist isn't available.

In common conversation the term ?bathetic? (pathétique in French) means a grossly sentimental pathos or exaggerated sympathy. True pathos however is really showing your feelings ? crying when you need to cry having courage when needed showing commitment when required. Pathétique reflects all these feelings in a stately and dignified manor. A truly emotional major concert work.

Grandiose is probably the word that best defines the character of the alpine regions. The magnificence of the mountains is fascinating. It makes anyone who has visited this region feel nostalgic and cherishing the hope of returning to see them again one day. Alpine Variations is a four-movement work written in the theme and variations form which reflects the majestic grandure of this breathtaking region in music.

Pirates Overture is an overture for all those young “pirates” out there who will undoubtedly rock the boat with their tidal waves of music!During the introduction a mysterious pirate ship appears on the distant horizon. The music builds as it slowly draws closer and closer until the wild pirates jump over the guardrail and seize everything in sight...

In common conversation the term ?bathetic? (pathétique in French) means a grossly sentimental pathos or exaggerated sympathy. True pathos however is really showing your feelings ? crying when you need to cry having courage when needed showing commitment when required. Pathétique reflects all these feelings in a stately and dignified manor. A truly emotional major concert work.

This easy concert march can be divided into two parts. The first part which is rhythmical beautifully contrasts with the second part which is lyrical. Each section of the band has its turn in this concertmarch which in spite of its easy level of difficulty deserves the designation “five-star piece.”

Storm of the Century-De nombreuses personnes se souviennent parfaitement du 18 janvier 2007. Ce jour-là les services météorologiques avaient lancé plusieurs bulletins d’alerte annonçant l’arrivée imminente de « la tempête du siècle ». Une dépression frontale venue de Terre-Neuve allait toucher l’Europe sous la forme de vents tempétueux particulièrement violents. Kyrill la pire des tempêtes depuis des décennies devait toucher terre en Allemagne dans l’après-midi. De nombreuses écoles furent fermées et les services d’urgence placés en état d’alerte maximale. Malgré ces précautions les événements qui suivirent dépassèrent de loin les plus sombres prévisions. Il y eut des morts des blessés etdes dégâts énormes dans toute l’Europe.La région du Sauerland en Rhénanie-du-Nord-Westphalie (Allemagne) fut particulièrement touchée par la tempête. Kyrill sema la désolation sur son passage laissant des dizaines de foyers sans toit et des forêts éventrées. La filière bois a vu les fruits de plusieurs décennies de travail anéantis en quelques heures. Des arbres vigoureux furent déracinés comme de vulgaires fétus de paille. Des forêts en ruines Si les vents tempétueux de Kyrill s’abattirent sur toute l’Europe ils dévastèrent la région allemande du Schmallenberger Sauerland comme nulle autre. Ce jour-là Otto M. Schwarz était chez lui en Autriche. Il assista au passage de la tempête mais ne prit véritablement conscience de ses conséquences dramatiques qu’à son arrivée à Bad Fredeburg (Sauerland) où il participait à une conférence organisée par le Volksmusikerbundes NRW (Association pour la promotion des musiques traditionnelles en Rhénanie-du-Nord-Westphalie). Ernst Willi Schulte le directeur de l’association lui montra alors l’étendue des dégâts sur le paysage de la région du Schmallenberger Sauerland. Force lui était de constater que la tempête qui avait balayé son Autriche natale était sans commune mesure avec la violence supportée par cette région allemande touchée de plein fouet par Kyrill.

In this piece the composer depicts a mother who hears her unborn baby cry for her. She is thrown into doubt as to whether she will keep the child and passes this feeling onto the baby. Underlying this successful work is the Bach chorale Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern and has already proven itself as a winning piece in several renowned contests!

This beautiful and intense slow composition including lots of melodic and musical sequences is dedicated to Saint Francis-a figure whose life story has always impressed the composer. He had previously honoured Francis of Assisi in several works including a composition for strings an oratorio a mass and a Laudate for choir and concert band. Canzone di Francesco will create a moment of meditation and reflection during your concert but is also very suitable as a warm up piece offering various possibilities to work on intonation phrasing and sound building.

Classics on Parade is a wonderful and original compilation of nineteen famous classical themes. Pieces by Beethoven Mozart Haydn and a number of other well-known composers are heard some on their own and some interwoven with other themes. Classics on Parade will enrich the light classical repertoire available for concert band. Includes such well known works as: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (W.A. Mozart) Trumpet Concerto (F.J. Haydn) La Traviata(G. Verdi) New World Symphony (A. Dvorak) Clarinet Concerto (W.A. Mozart) Orpheus in the Underworld (J. Offenbach) and many more.

Dance from the East is a fiery oriental dance. It starts with an imposing introduction with the feel of a solemn lament and seamlessly merges into a dance. The piece then builds gradually through an incessant accelerando and crescendo until it reaches a fervent passion captivating every listener.

Hot off the press! Composer Gerald Oswald bases this new work on an old Austrian folksong O du lieber Augustin! The Augustin in questions is a ballad singer and an ad lib poet who apparently wrote this folksong about himself. His grim sense of humour and his attitude towards life that humour can get you through anything are readily apparent in this new piece. Gerald Oswald’s Variations on an Austrian Folk Song received top honours at the 2010 Austrian Composition Contest.

The Curse of the Mermaid tells the story of a greedy and wealthy fisherman wanting to make money in any way possible. When his business starts to fail he puts the blame on the mermaids. One day the fisherman kills a mermaid who casts a spell on him shortly before she disappears into the water. The composition is in the form of a symphonic poem starting slow and then mysteriously opening up revealing a fantastic colourful world of sounds and motion. There are various moments during the piece where the composer includes broad and beautiful melodic material as well as surprising effects and great rhythmical interest. This is a challenging but great piece for concertsor contests! The Curse of the Mermaid tells the story of a greedy and wealthy fisherman wanting to make money in any way possible. When his business starts to fail he puts the blame on the mermaids. One day the fisherman kills a mermaid who casts a spell on him shortly before she disappears into the water. The composition is in the form of a symphonic poem starting slow and then mysteriously opening up revealing a fantastic colourful world of sounds and motion. There are various moments during the piece where the composer includes broad and beautiful melodic material as well as surprising effects and great rhythmical interest. This is a challenging but great piecefor concerts or contests!

Feierlicher Zug zum Münster from Lohengrin- Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral comes originally from the second act of Richard Wagner’s famous romantic opera Lohengrin . This solemn and stately music accompanies the wedding procession that carries Elsa and her rescuer and hero to the church. This is a wonderful formal work for you to bring the celebrations of Wagner’s 200th birthday to the concert stage.

Ready - Steady - Brass! is one of a number of successful works by Otto M. Schwarz such as Last Call Funky Winds Glory Fanfare and Groove Machine . Starting with a fanfare-style opening the music takes a journey through melodicsections and technical soloistic passages to a grandiose finale.