Hymnus was commissioned by the Wilhelmina Easterein Fanfare Orchestra in the Autumn of 1999 for their performance at the World Music Contest Kerkrade. The commission was the result of a collaboration between the composer and the thenmusical director Marten van der Wal. The exact meaning of the word Hymnus is not known but it is taken in this presentation to mean hymn or hymn-like. The melodic material is organic and grows from an initial unison tone. Thisinterval is gradually expanded to form the cell F E C F a semitone third fifth. The only other melodic motif is the ascending three-note pattern spanning a major third. This is the second of his compositions to use this ascending motif theother being Fanfare for a Bright New Age for Brass Band and Organ also of 2000. These characteristic intervals appear in many contrasting moods and guises throughout the piece. The opening unison notes are intended to convey as sense ofpower and magnificence like the first sounds at the dawning of the universe. After the immense power a period of stunned silence and reverence. The evolution of the hymn melody incorporates a variety of moods and atmospheres sometimes expressing much joy and celebration whilst also suggesting periods of intense savagery or prayerful contemplation. The hymn builds as the piece progresses and is finally stated in its complete form at letter W. The official worldpremiere of the work was given by Wilhelmina Easterein at the World Music Contest 2001. Whilst the composer was unable to attend in person he was able to enjoy the premier simultaneously transmitted via a mobile phone from the audience! Conductors Note The tempo indications are to be viewed as a guide rather than a literal instruction. Within the music there is an innate sense of pulse and metre lending itself to considerable rubato. Melody is king and all else is mere support and decoration careful attention must therefore be given to balance.

Comme le suggère le titre cette pièce se compose d?une fanfare et d?une hymne. Nordic Fanfare and Hymn a été écrit pour la cérémonie d?ouverture des Championnats du Monde FIS de Ski Nordique d?Oberstdorf en Allemagne. Pour pouvoir être utilisée dans le cadre de diverses cérémonies cette composition peut être interprétée dans quatre versions différentes. Une version intégrale ; une version constituée d?une courte fanfare jouée par les trompettes (cornets) trombones et timbales ; une version en double fanfare (suivi d?un tutti orchestral) et une version composée d?une fanfare suivi d?un extrait de l?hymne.

Ceremonial Hymn du compositeur hollandais Menno Bosgra est une oeuvre de caractère solennel et méditatif. Les belles mélodies qui ornent cet hymne soutenues par des motifs rythmiques réguliers offriront à votre auditoire un agréable moment de réflexion et de détente. Ceremonial Hymn est également une excellente oeuvre de concours.

From the Paramount and DreamWorks Motion Picture S-Quand on pense à Steven Spielberg on évoque facilement ses films à grand spectacle. Mais c'est occulter l'homme engagé qui a signé plusieurs chef-d'oeuvres dont Saving Private Ryan (Il faut sauver le soldat Ryan) couronné par 5 Oscars. Avec Hymn To The Fallen le générique de fin John Williams nous offre un puissant hymne en mémoire aux soldats qui ont sacrifié leur vie sur l'autel de la liberté lors du débarquement en Normandie le 6 juin 1944. Une note d'humanité dans un océan de noirceur et de violence.

St. Michael-The French composer Louis Bourgeois lived from c.1510 to 1560. Bourgeois was cantor in Geneva and commissioned by John Calvin he composed melodies for metrical (rhyming) versions of the psalms. After completing about a hundred one-part psalms he made some four-part arrangements which were denounced and even resulted in his imprisonment for a day. Later Bourgeois published a number of psalm collections and judging from his book Le droict chemin de musique he was also an excellent educator. The melodies Bourgeois composed are (contrary to Gregorian chants) particularly suitable for community singing. This applies to his hymn tune Saint Michael which is why this melody hasbeen used for various texts written for many occasions. John Blanken made this arrangement for a wedding ceremony: an occasion in which faith and trust play a large - if not the largest - role. Hence the title Hymn of Faith. The arrangement contains four verses of the hymn. After a majestic opening the hymn follows twice the second verse being embellished in the tenor register. After a short interlude verse three follows played by a quartet. The majestic opening is then repeated as a modulation into the fourth verse which concludes the work in a brilliant tutti.

In this colorful ballad is charity high in standard. Egbert van Groningen composed Hymn of Brotherhood for the youthband of St. Jan in Wierden (NL). The music exudes respect appreciation and devotion. In our current increasingly individualized society a beautiful reflective contemplative time.

Suite from Hymn of the Highlands draws three expressive musical pictures of the Scottish highlands. The first movement Ardross Castle features solo passages for clarinet and bassoon and features a fascinating bagpipe melody. The second movement Alladale is a saxophone trio with an accompaniment featuring the percussion section. The final movement Dundonnell features two highly contrasting melodies a wild presto and the bagpipe melody first heard in the first movement.

Cittaslow is an international network of more than 220 towns in 30 countries. Its members are towns where people are still finding themselves reminiscing over the old times; towns that are rich in theatres, squares, cafés, restaurants and spiritual places; towns with untouched landscapes and charming craftsman where people are still able to recognize the slow course of the seasons, and respect their authentic products, true taste as well as their health. The Hymn of Cittaslow, which was commissioned by the organisation itself, is entirely inspired by their commitment to the preservation of the member towns. The tempo is naturally ?slow', and the themes somehow sound familiar. On the one hand, the music emanates peace and quiet, but it also sounds grand in its lyricism, thereby reflecting the beauty of the Cittaslow towns.