Kyrill : Storm of the Century

Many people vividly remember January 18, 2007. The weather service issued alerts of an impending storm of the century and a worst case scenario began to unfold. Hurricane Kyrill left unimaginable death and destruction in its wake.Composer Otto M. Schwarz was so deeply moved, he decided to capture what he felt in a new composition. Dur: 10:00

Kyrill : Storm of the Century

German Romanticism : Selected pieces from the 19th century

German Romanticism includes selected works from some of the most important composers of the style, to whom—in terms of musical history—the Austrian Franz Schubert also belongs. Besides Carl Maria von Weber he represents the Early Romanticperiod, while Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Robert Schumann belong to the High Romantic era. Richard Wagner, Carl Reinecke and Johannes Brahms represent the later 19th century.The enclosed CD provides a demonstration of each piece, followed by the piano accompaniment with which to play along.

Piccola Suite Italiana

With this new suite for concert band Franco Cesarini draws on the rich repertoire of folk songs from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of northern Italy. Between the 16th and 17th Century this rural region developed the ‘furlana’, a brilliant dance in 6/8 time. This catchy dance soon spread throughout Europe and became more cultivated. François Couperin (1668-1733), Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) and Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) all composer of the 18th century composed ‘furlane’ and in the 20th Century Maurice Ravel used a ‘furlana’ dance his Tombeau de Couperin. Franco Cesarini follows this great tradition by using the ‘furlana’ as the basis for this major new concertwork.

Piccola Suite Italiana

With this new suite for concert band Franco Cesarini draws on the rich repertoire of folk songs from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of northern Italy. Between the 16th and 17th Century this rural region developed the ‘furlana’, a brilliant dance in 6/8 time. This catchy dance soon spread throughout Europe and became more cultivated. François Couperin (1668-1733), Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) and Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) all composer of the 18th century composed ‘furlane’ and in the 20th Century Maurice Ravel used a ‘furlana’ dance his Tombeau de Couperin. Franco Cesarini follows this great tradition by using the ‘furlana’ as the basis for this major new concertwork.

Jazzotic Flight

Many composers of the 20th century enriched their own musical language with elements of jazz, just think of George Gershwin or Leonard Bernstein. In the “globalized” 21st century, Stefan Schwalgin extended this perspective globally with Jazzotic Flight taking you on an exotic flight around the world.After take-off the jet plane soars in a lively flight in waltz time, the jet lands visiting Africa, India and finally Latin America. A little piece of each of these continents is heard in this swinging concert piece that will be a hit with all members of your band.

Jazzotic Flight

Many composers of the 20th century enriched their own musical language with elements of jazz, just think of George Gershwin or Leonard Bernstein. In the “globalized” 21st century, Stefan Schwalgin extended this perspective globally with Jazzotic Flight taking you on an exotic flight around the world.After take-off the jet plane soars in a lively flight in waltz time, the jet lands visiting Africa, India and finally Latin America. A little piece of each of these continents is heard in this swinging concert piece that will be a hit with all members of your band.

Roman Pictures

This programmatic composition depicts the history and events around the former Roman city of Flavia Solva. It was situated in the southeast province Noricum, the current region of Southern Styria, Austria. In this work, the composer portrays the grandness of the city, the beauty of its surrounding landscape, the hustle and bustle of the market place, the dangers therein and eventually the destruction by the Germanic people in the 2nd century AD. Flavia Solva was rebuilt to become a flourishing city again, but in the 5th century, its decline became a permanent reality, a fate that it shared with other cities of the Roman empire. A captivating work about a fascinatingplace!

Roman Pictures

This programmatic composition depicts the history and events around the former Roman city of Flavia Solva. It was situated in the southeast province Noricum, the current region of Southern Styria, Austria. In this work, the composer portrays the grandness of the city, the beauty of its surrounding landscape, the hustle and bustle of the market place, the dangers therein and eventually the destruction by the Germanic people in the 2nd century AD. Flavia Solva was rebuilt to become a flourishing city again, but in the 5th century, its decline became a permanent reality, a fate that it shared with other cities of the Roman empire. A captivating work about a fascinatingplace!

Pastorale de Provence

Cesarini composed this work as a tribute to the memory of Darius Milhaud, born a century earlier in Aix-en-Provence, France. The premiere, conducted by the composer, was presented by the Civic Philharmonic of Balerna in December, 1992. The titles of the four-part suite include: La Villageoise (The Village Maiden), Le petit berger (The Little Shepherd), La Princesse (The Princess) and Le Lutin (The Imp). The numerous musical reference themes begin with five folksongs from the Provence region and continue with melodies written by French composers of the seventeenth century. Additional interest is created by the use of old dance forms (Ronde, Musette, Pavane and Farandole) toillustrate each historical character.

Pastorale de Provence

Cesarini composed this work as a tribute to the memory of Darius Milhaud, born a century earlier in Aix-en-Provence, France. The premiere, conducted by the composer, was presented by the Civic Philharmonic of Balerna in December, 1992. The titles of the four-part suite include: La Villageoise (The Village Maiden), Le petit berger (The Little Shepherd), La Princesse (The Princess) and Le Lutin (The Imp). The numerous musical reference themes begin with five folksongs from the Provence region and continue with melodies written by French composers of the seventeenth century. Additional interest is created by the use of old dance forms (Ronde, Musette, Pavane and Farandole) toillustrate each historical character.

Sinfonia per Banda : (1872)

This overture, called Sinfonia, is without doubt one of the best original works for concert band to emerge from the 19th century. It is characterised by its fluid spontaneity as well as its rich texture. This arrangement off ers bands the opportunity to perform a work of high artistic value, which otherwise would be forgotten.

Sinfonia per Banda : (1872)

This overture, called Sinfonia, is without doubt one of the best original works for concert band to emerge from the 19th century. It is characterised by its fluid spontaneity as well as its rich texture. This arrangement off ers bands the opportunity to perform a work of high artistic value, which otherwise would be forgotten.

Concert Collection : for Flute and Piano

Franco Cesarini presents this valuable collection of pieces, intermediate in difficulty, from the Baroque period to the Impressionists at the beginning of the 20th century. Using these carefully selected pieces by Marais, Dvorak, Grieg, and others,flautists can practise various aspects of musical interpretation and explore a wide range of sound colours. With Concert Collection you can develop your musical sensitivity and creativity!

Concert Collection : for Flute and Piano

Franco Cesarini presents this valuable collection of pieces, intermediate in difficulty, from the Baroque period to the Impressionists at the beginning of the 20th century. Using these carefully selected pieces by Marais, Dvorak,Grieg, and others, flautists can practise various aspects of musical interpretation and explore a wide range of sound colours. With Concert Collection you can develop your musical sensitivity and creativity!

Puss in Boots : A Tale for Narrator and Concert Band from Charles Perrault

Puss in Boots, a fairy tale character first mentioned in writing by Charles Perrault in the 17th century, is a popular figure in children’s books, cartoons and comics. Franco Cesarini was inspired by the utter simplicity and naturalness of thetale and put it into a musical fairy tale which—thanks to the narrator’s voice— can be performed as a production with scenery.

The Glenmasan Manuscript

The Glenmasan Manuscript is an historic Scottish manuscript from the fifteenth century that contains legendary Celtic texts from the Ulster region. In his composition, Marc Jeanbourquin has evoked the atmospheres and illustrated thelandscapes, as well as legendary heroes from this country, through music. The extraordinary spectacular finale is certainly one of the reasons this piece is both suitable as a challenging contest piece as well as a concert piece.

The Glenmasan Manuscript

The Glenmasan Manuscript is an historic Scottish manuscript from the fifteenth century that contains legendary Celtic texts from the Ulster region. In his composition, Marc Jeanbourquin has evoked the atmospheres and illustrated thelandscapes, as well as legendary heroes from this country, through music. The extraordinary spectacular finale is certainly one of the reasons this piece is both suitable as a challenging contest piece as well as a concert piece.

The Glenmasan Manuscript

The Glenmasan Manuscript is an historic Scottish manuscript from the fifteenth century that contains legendary Celtic texts from the Ulster region. In his composition, Marc Jeanbourquin has evoked the atmospheres and illustrated thelandscapes, as well as legendary heroes from this country, through music. The extraordinary spectacular finale is certainly one of the reasons this piece is both suitable as a challenging contest piece as well as a concert piece.

The Glenmasan Manuscript

The Glenmasan Manuscript is an historic Scottish manuscript from the fifteenth century that contains legendary Celtic texts from the Ulster region. In his composition, Marc Jeanbourquin has evoked the atmospheres and illustrated thelandscapes, as well as legendary heroes from this country, through music. The extraordinary spectacular finale is certainly one of the reasons this piece is both suitable as a challenging contest piece as well as a concert piece.

The Holly and the Ivy : Old English Christmas Song

The Holly and the Ivy is one of the oldest and most popular of all English Christmas carols. The text refers to Mary and Jesus, but equally to the pre-Christian tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. The melody is thought to originate in 11th Century France. Countless stars, including Charlie Byrd, Petula Clark and Annie Lennox have been inspired to record their own interpretations - just as Franco Cesarini has done with this wonderful arrangement for wind orchestra.

The Holly and the Ivy : Old English Christmas Song

The Holly and the Ivy is one of the oldest and most popular of all English Christmas carols. The text refers to Mary and Jesus, but equally to the pre-Christian tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. The melody is thought to originate in 11th Century France. Countless stars, including Charlie Byrd, Petula Clark and Annie Lennox have been inspired to record their own interpretations - just as Franco Cesarini has done with this wonderful arrangement for wind orchestra.

Valentin's Chorale : Patron of lovers and bridesmaids

This piece came about as a Christmas gift for Valentin, the composers’ youngest son. Valentin—more commonly Valentine in English—is also the patron saint of lovers. He is said to have been a poor priest who healed a blind girl, and gave flowers from his garden to those who sought help and comfort. Saint Valentine’s day has been celebrated in February each year since the 14th century as a day devoted to love. This work is written in the style of a chorale and has a light touch of romance!

Valentin's Chorale : Patron of lovers and bridesmaids

This piece came about as a Christmas gift for Valentin, the composers’ youngest son. Valentin—more commonly Valentine in English—is also the patron saint of lovers. He is said to have been a poor priest who healed a blind girl, and gave flowers from his garden to those who sought help and comfort. Saint Valentine’s day has been celebrated in February each year since the 14th century as a day devoted to love. This work is written in the style of a chorale and has a light touch of romance!

Up in the Sky : The Story of Balloons

One of man’s great dreams has always been to fly high through the air like a bird, free as a bird. There are ancient Greek legends such of those of Daedalus and Icarus, and indeed as early as the 9th century attempts at flight are reputed to have taken place in Arabia. It wasn’t until 1783, however, that the invention of hot air ballooning by the Montgolfier brothers in France propelled man through the air for the first time. This colourful work depicts every step of this adventurous ballooning story.