Maecenas Music at Midwest 2025

Enter the "Park of Monsters" in the Garden of Bomarzo created by the Duke Pier Francesco Orsini to cope with his grief at the death of his wife Giulia. See the fantastic world of grotesque sculptures and small buildings located amongst the vegetation and volcanic rock and wonder.... "We have nothing to fear but fear itself - and monsters" Richard Herring The design of the hidden gardens has been attributed to the architect Pirro Ligorio, with sculptures by Simone Moschino. The park was not intended to please, but to astonish. and like many Mannerist works it's reputation stemmed from the many larger than life sculptures and small buildings located in the natural vegetation. During the 19th and 20th centuries the gardens fell into neglect and became wildly overgrown until being brought to wider attention again in 1938 by the surrealist painter, Salvador Dali. The nine movements forming Monsters depict the romance and strangeness of the garden, thus offering a musical glimpse into a fantastic world that was hidden for so long.

This is Keiron Anderson at his most ingenious, a stunning opener or closer for the good wind orchestra. Everyone is busy, our audience is mesmerised.......a gorgeous blending of the colours and contrasts of the wind orchestra's pallet, a true depiction of the conjurer's art!

for Wind Orchestra Carroll, Fergal This is Fergal Carroll's third work which takes it's name from both a colour and an element - 'Blackwater' and 'Silverwinds' being the other two. It was commissioned to mark the 50th birthday of Banna Chluain Meala, the town band of Clonmel, Ireland which has been training and encouraging young musicians since 1971. Gold from the Earth is a beautifully paced, inventive and appealing miniature, stylishly-crafted with the composer's hallmark scoring and rhythmic interest.

Out of the Darkness follows the implications of it's title: a progress from sombre introspection to something much more hopeful. The years from 2020 to 2022 were troubling worldwide but hopefully a brighter future can be attained in the face of present-day challenges. This is 'serious' Gorb, gripping, spiritual, a voyage through struggle and challenge demanding an ensemble's full technical and expressive skill. The work is dedicated to Timothy Reynish, who has had been a substantial influence in Adam Gorb's compositional journey.

Having spent much of my formative musical life in Manchester in the North of England, I wanted to reflect something that was quintessentially that part of the country I loved! The paintings of L.S.Lowry reflect just how I feel about Manchester; full of unexpected detail, colour and essentially, life. Incidentally this is how I feel about the Wind Orchestra. In my mind Lowry's depiction of the mid-20th century North of England and the endless tonal possibilities of the wind orchestra are the perfect pairing. 1 Going to Work 2 Piccadilly Gardens 3 Man Lying on a Wall 4 House on the Moor 5 Market Scene, Northern Town 6 Portrait of Ann 7 The Estuary 8 Blitzed Site 9 The Funeral Party 10 Britain at Play

Trad Session - definition: "An informal, often impromptu gathering at which people play Irish traditional music. Often held in pubs, trad sessions are characterised by a cacophany of sounds where anything can happen from smashing glasses to spontaneous singing or even unexpected altercations". The chaotic soundscape surrounding a trad session served as the primary inspiration for the current work. From the outset, the intention was to create an ambitious piece that not only celebrated traditional tunes but also embraced the surrounding auditory bedlam.....and wow! has this been achieved. Not since Percy Grainger has traditional folk setting been more effective and unusual. Three great movements (each playable as separate pieces) to bring a smile to the lips of both players and audience alike.

Charles Dickens originally published his second novel, 'Oliver Twist', in serial form between 1837 and 1839. Many memorable characters appear in the book but non as notorious as the elderly Jewish criminal Fagin. Fagin organised and trained a group of young pickpockets into who's company Oliver innocently fell after his escape from the clutches of the cruel beadle Mr Bumble and later Mrs Sowerberry and Noah Claypole, at 'Sowerberry the undertakers'. Whatever we feel about Fagin's notorious activities, we cannot forget the fun, family feeling he brought to the little gang in his London den. Fagin's Ball exploits that special humour, but beware, Fagin was a master of the slight of hand and his mesmeric hold on his little villains was never too distant.

Reunited was written to anticipate and then celebrate players returning to live rehearsal and performance after the substantial break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The music is lively and positive; full of colourful cross rhythms and varied scoring. Multiple counter melodies suggest encounters with friends and colleagues and a poignant central section reflects on how people have missed group interaction and support. The music is accessible to players and audiences alike and is the perfect piece to begin any concert.

Scherzo Frenetico is the second movement of Daniel Basford's extended work, Symphony No.1 'Prometheus'. The Symphony was begun as pure music without a programme, but it soon became apparent that it took on parallels with another work he was planning about the well-known story of Prometheus and, although it is not an exact description of the Prometheus story, it became a commentary on it. The second movement, a wild scherzo, draws its inspiration from the text of Shelley's poem, Prometheus Unbound. The music is frantic and insistent, suggesting Zeus' anger at Prometheus and the loss of control caused by his theft of fire which he gifted to man who misused it.

The word 'clarion' was used in former times as the name for a kind of trumpet and also for an organ stop. It derives from the Latin 'clarus', which means clear and bright. Of course, the expression 'clarion call' means an urgent call to action, usually in times of trouble. Written at a time when the world was coping with America's President Trump's erratic pronouncements, the refugee crisis in Europe and beyond, the problems of climate change and the Coronavirus Pandemic, the title 'Clarion Call' seemed never more pertinent. Unfortunately, it would appear we may continue to need calls for some years to come!

Yiddish Dances has proved to be one of the most popular works for winds written during the 20th century. It was conceived as a piece for Symphonic Wind Orchestra in 1998 and is dedicated to Timothy Reynish on the occassion of his 60th birthday. This version for Chamber Winds, written at the time of the Covd-19 crisis in 2020, allows for socially-distanced ensembles much more akin to the size of traditional Klezmer bands, to enjoy the vibrant style and sound of the original Wind Orchestra version and in particular the exotic folk music of the Yiddish-speaking people. Scoring: Flute doubling Piccolo, Oboe, Eb Clarinet doubling Bb Clarinet (alternative part for Violin), Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Horn in F (alternative part for Tenor Saxophone), 2 Trumpets, Trombone (or Baritone/Euphonium), Tuba and 2 Percussion players.

FL(PC)/OB/EbCL(dCL; opt VN)/CL/BCL/BN/AS/HN(opt TS)/2TP/TB(opt EU)/TU/2PE

Bohemian Revelry is a tribute to the verve and vigour of the music of the people of the Czech Republic. It is also a celebration of the artistic and social freedom of a people without ties or responsibilities who always allow for a party whenever and wherever possible. The four movements are based on popular Czech/Bohemian folk dances - a Polka, a Furiant, a Susedska and a Skocna. Any reminiscences to a certain set of dances by another well-known Czech composer should be heard as an act of homage rather than parody! Bohemian Revelry was originally conceived in 2013 as a work for Wind Orchestra. This version for Chamber Winds was written at the time of the Covid-19 crisis in early 2021 and allows for socially-distanced rehearsal and performance with a small group of players. Scoring: Flute doubling Piccolo, Oboe, 2 Clarinets in Bb, the first doubling Eb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Horn in F (an alternative part is supplied for Tenor Saxophone), 2 Trumpets in Bb, Trombone, Tuba and 2 Percussion players.

FL(d.PIC)/OB/CL(dECL)/CL/BCL/BN/AS/HN/2TP/TB/TU/2PE

Almost a 'Paris Sketch' for London! Join in the jostling crowds for a summer day of enjoyment, romance, mischief, or just listen to the band. A long time favourite for brass; the masterly concert band version adds a new range of colour to this bustling holiday snapshot. 7 minutes

Inspired by one child's personal struggle for life, this eloquent testimony to the indomitability of the human spirit has a universal life-affirming quality. Personal, powerful, expansively conceived and richly scored. 12-13 minutes

Commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2. Ellerby has responded with a personal and moving symphonic movement, by turns thrilling and haunting, a timeless tribute to humanity's unending struggle for peace in troubled times. Dona Nobis Pacem exploits the wind orchestra's command of colour, sonority and articulation to the full, and also provides an invaluably musical introduction to some basic extended performance techniques. 15 minutes

The first major work for soprano and band, cited as Best Original Composition at the 1967 CBDNA conference, this important, pioneering piece is now available in definitive form incorporating Gilmore's final revisions. Each folksong originates from a particular culture and is set in its vernacular language. Vocal range d-G' will suit mezzo or soprano voice. 20 minutes

By popular demand - Gorb's immensely popular Suite for Winds in a masterly version for full band by the composer. Five short, varied movements, performable separately. 10 minutes

High jinks and dark deeds in the Caribbean. What really happened on Pythagoras's final cruise? Find out with this racy, thrilling piece, and don't forget the sun-tan cream. Essential repertoire for accomplished school bands upwards. 6 minutes

Master Humphrey's Clock was commissioned by the Kent Youth Wind Orchestra, and draws on Dickens's Kent for its inspiration. The four widely contrasted Character Studies comprise its finale and presents an exciting independent concert piece which explores the almost endless colours and sonorities of the wind band. "........a richly scored and evocative work which will delight players and audiences wherever it is played......" 12 minutes