A major work for concerts and contests with imposing themes from the pen of composer Andrew Wainwright inspired by Sibelius.
Tuesday, 29 April 2025
The work was commissioned by Five Lakes Silver Band and MD Christopher Ward and was featured on its critically acclaimed CD release, ‚Resurget Cineribus‘. It is written as a major work that can be used as a substantive concert item or an exciting and colourful test-piece.
Based on the hymn tune found in Sibelius‘ tone poem (Op. 26), the only source material used is the hymn itself and seeks to depict the strife of the Finnish people against the censorship of the Russian Empire. It is therefore both rousing and turbulent at various times.
The composer writes: „The work commences with a quartet playing a full statement of the hymn in its simplest form, featuring a solo flugel. This leads into a sprightly 6/8 section at times unstable and off-kilter as references to the hymn come and go, often in a very chromatic or dissonant form.
A reflective slower section follows, featuring another full rendition of the hymn, with a number of solo voices featured. This is followed by several cadenzas for cornet, trombone, Eb bass, and Bb bass. This leads into an energetic final movement before a resounding proclamation of the hymn in its full glory.“
Recording
To listen to a recording of Five Lakes Silver Band performing the work please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeJJF6asD2k
Duration: Approx. 13.15 minutes
Difficulty Level: 1st Section +
PDFs available from https://www.brookwrightmusic.com/product-page/metamorphosis-on-finlandia-brass-band-andrew-wainwright
Sheet music available from www.brassband.co.uk or www.durhammusic.co.uk (UK) or www.cimarronmusic.com (USA)
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April 29 • A major work for concerts and contests with imposing themes from the pen of composer Andrew Wainwright inspired by Sibelius.
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