- Horizons The opening track of this CD is Horizons, by Paul Lovatt-Cooper. Lovatt-Cooper joined the Black Dyke Band in 2003 as a percussionist. He combines this role with his function as 'Young Composer in Residence'. Ratby Co-Operative Band commissioned the creation of Horizons in 2006. BBW performed this typical opening piece at the 2007 EBBC gala concert at the Symphony Hall. - Elgar Variations The title track of this CD is the first ever studio recording of Martin Ellerby's Elgar Variations, commissioned by the British Federation of Brass Bands for the 2007 EBBC which took place in Birmingham. Martin Ellerby conceived his Elgar Variations as a tribute to the British composer Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934), thus commemorating the 150th anniversary of Elgars birthday. Ellerby did not base the variations of his composition on an existing Elgar theme. Instead, he put together a series of contrasting sections to reflect the typical Elgar style. BBW's outstanding performance of this test piece helped secure their 3rd European title, after winning the earlier 1993 (Plymouth) and 2006 (Belfast) editions. - Lyrica Lyrica, by Belgian composer Stijn Roels, was written for soprano cornet player Bert Van Thienen and Brass Band Heist. Roels is a professional organ player and Bb tuba player in his spare time. He started composing in 2006 and his 'Bellum et Pax' brought him instant success, coming in second at the composition contest 'De Muziekgolf-2006'. Lyrica is Roels's first piece for brass band. - Gaillarde Bert Van Thienen arranged the score of Gaillarde, a typical renaissance dance, for brass band. The original composer Attaignant (1494-1552) was a music printer, located in Paris. He is considered to be the developer of single-impression music printing, which made it possible to print staves, notes and text together rather than separately, saving both time and money. - Rule Britannia Principal cornet player Raf Van Looveren selected the solo piece Rule Britannia, a composition by John Hartmann, to feature on this recording. Although Hartmann was a professional violin player, he was an even better cornet player. Born in Prussia in 1830, he moved to England in 1854 to found a band. He became a very successful conductor and created many compositions and arrangements, mostly for army bands. His love for the cornet inspired him to write several solo pieces for cornet and band. - Saying Goodbye Composer Philip Sparke has written Saying Goodbye especially for Brass Band Willebroek and this recording. It is a response to his increasing unease with brass bands playing arrangements of popular music. More specifically, it is the expression of a growing feeling that brass bands too often play 'in disguise', simply copying rather than performing other styles of music. Saying Goodbye is one of a series of original works in pop, rock and swing styles he has composed to try and give brass bands their own popular vocabulary and identity. It could be described as happy-sad in mood, a feature of much of Sparke's slower music. - Dear Frog Dear Frog is the story of the prince who turned into a frog, a 'musical satire' for trombone soloist and band. The piece was arranged by Belgian Georges Moreau. You will hear principal trombone player Walter Hoeks quaking through his 'wah-wah-sourdine' in an ultimate attempt to elicit a kiss from the beautiful princess. - Evensong Evensong is an evening religious service, being sung daily throughout the entire British Empire, a century-old tradition. Therefore, it is no surprise that past and present composers all over the world have been inspired to write music for this occasion. Many of these compositions are four-part choral works, in some cases accompanied by the organ. Following this tradition, Belgian organist Bart Wuilmus incorporated both vocal and organ influenced features in his Evensong. The intense introduction theme evolves into a vocally inspired middle part. This choral theme is brought to an impressive climax which gradually fades into a quiet and introverted ending. - Harlequin Philip Sparke dedicated the euphonium solo piece Harlequin, composed in 2004, to David Childs. It is inspired by the happy and sad masks of the 'Commedia dell'Arte', of which Harlequin is one of the main characters. The piece consists of two movements: A slow modal ballad followed by a frenetic faster movement. Euphonium soloist on this recording is Stef Pillaert. - Sosban Fach Gareth Wood, born and raised in Wales, arranged the popular folk song Sosban Fach for brass band. It is a clear example of the typical musical culture of Wales. Altough the song's text originates in the late 19th century, the melody goes even further in time. Nowadays, you can often hear Sosban Fach echo through the stadium at Welsh rugby games. Sosban Fach, Welsh for 'Little Saucepan' is the club song of rugby team Llanelli RFC. - Reunion and Finale On July 1st 1863, the most epic yet bloodiest battle of the American Civil War was fought. In and around Gettysburg, 150.000 soldiers of the Northern and Southern armies engaged in a furious fight. In 1993, Ronald Maxwell reworked Michael Shaara's book on the battle of Gettysburg into a 4 hours long feature film. American composer Randy Edelman brilliantly captured the strong emotions in his music score. Andrew Duncan arranged Edelman's Reunion and Finale for brass band. - Jubilee After having started his musical career with the Salvation Army, Scotsman Paul Drury joined Great Britain's 'National Youth Orchestra' and Scotland's 'National Youth Orchestra' as principal tuba player. Drury composed several pieces commissioned by the Salvation Army, of which Jubilee is an example. He succeeded in converting the songs of praise 'Be glad in the Lord','I love him better every day' and 'I'm bound for Canaan's shore' into a sparkling brass band march.