Bridge of the Gods

Commissioned by the Oregon Symphonic Band in Portland Bridge of the Gods is a dramatic three-movement symphonic poem presenting the colorful legend told by the Native American Klickitatst about the origins of the volcanicmountains of the Cascade range and legendary bridge. The first movement “Saghalie” pays tribute to the powerful chief of all gods and is based on a majestic fanfare theme. The 2nd movement captures the beauty of themaiden “Loowit” with haunting flute and english horns solos accompanied by soft chanting voices. The final movement “Tanmahawis” utilizes stark clusters jagged melodic fragments and rhythmic percussiveenergy as it depicts the destruction of the mighty bridge. Dur: 8:50Recorded by the Oregon Symphonic Band – Michael Burch-Pesses conductor

Aztec Dances was commissioned by Christopher Orton with the assistance of the BBC Performing Arts Fund. The first performance was given by Christopher Orton (recorder) and Magdalena Nasidlak (piano) at a concert in the Manchester Midday Concerts series at the Bridgewater Hall Manchester in March 2010.The version for flute and piano was premiered by Wissam Boustany (Flute) and Aleksander Szram (Piano) at St James?s Church Piccadilly on Thursday 19 May 2011.1. Ritual/Pastorale2. Fertility Dance3. Ghost Dance/Song4. Sacrificial Dance Composer's Note The idea for the genesis of thiswork and indeed its title and individual movements came after visiting an exhibition at the British Museum entitled Moctezuma ?Aztec Ruler. The exhibition traced the events following the election in 1502 of Moctezuma as Supreme Ruler of the Aztecs and the subsequent invasion of 1519 by a Spanish expedition led by Hermán Cortés ? an event that was to eventually lead to the demise of the Aztec civilisation.Part of the exhibition explored the role that music and dance played in Aztec life. The primitive recorder together with trumpets and drums were used as an important part of the formal ritual ceremonies (including rather gruesomely human sacrifice) that took place to appease the many Gods which the Aztecs worshipped as well as for other more informal occasions in their social and cultural life.I have tried to reflect some of these highly contrasting and dramatic ideas in this four movement work.        Edward Gregson

pour piano. Par LENS NICHOLAS. The Belgian composer Nicholas Lens presents extremely varied etudes, exercises and simple phrases with wonderfully telling titles from poetry and everyday world for children and adults. For the most part the studies are tonal and simple and have no constructed line. They are not based on any educational concept but leave the musical dramatization to the pupils and teachers: 'Notes and rhythms are just notes and rhythms, they do not have that many rules, they do not have any pretension, they are just tools for you to use to express what you want to share'. / Date parution : 2016-11-20/ Etude / Piano