THREE BRAND NEW COMMISSIONS FOR SCHOOL AND AMATEUR BANDS
BY FERGAL CARROLL AND ADAM GORB
Three new works for school band published by Maecenas Music
Fergal Carroll
Cathedral Variations
for Wind Orchestra
This is Carroll at his most ingenious. The Tallis canon (with four variations) is explored with harmonic and rhythmic dexterity, colourful scoring and vibrant sonorities. 'Must have' materials for the High School Band at US grade 3, AB grade 4-5. Commissioned by Tim and Hilary Reynish in memory of their son William, premiered by Susquehanna Wind Symphony conducted by Tim Reynish, April 25 2015.
Duration c: 7.30 minutes
Fergal Carroll
Spring at Nine Stones
for Symphonic Wind Orchestra
February March April
Spring at Nine Stones is a sequel to Fergal Carroll's popular suite 'Winter Dances' and is in three linked movements wholly based on original tunes almost all with Carroll's finger print strong Irish character.
The commissioning group, Mount Saint Charles Academy, is twinned with the FCJ Secondary School in Bunclody in County Wexford, Ireland, whom they visit every few years. Bunclody is close to a beauty spot on the slopes of Mount Leinster called 'The Nine Stones', a favourite of the visiting bands conductor. It was on one of these visits that Spring at Nine Stones received it's first performance on 21st April 2015, conducted by Marc Blanchette "......characteristic Carroll, full of good tunes, the perfect High School Band piece at US grade 3.5, AB grade 4/5."
Duration c: 10 minutes
Adam Gorb
Spring Into Action
for Wind Orchestra
Adam Gorb's three movement work Spring Into Action celebrates the arrival of spring with all the associated magic and rejuvenation this special time of year brings. The first movement applauds the fresh, vibrant stirrings of the season. The second is more reflective with extended solos and sensative muted brass chorales. "The finale is where the real action begins." A Latin American inspired variation of the opening movement, it spins us into a whirlwind of infectious rhythms and harmonies, the whole culminating in a riotous life affirming coda.
Commissioned by Grand Island Lodge Schools and premiered by their Wind Ensemble conductred by Marty Allen on 26th February, 2015.
Duration c:13 minutes