Two works with Latin titles are to challenge the competing bands at the 34th European Brass Band Championships in Montreux this year.

I heard at midnight

The highly respected Swiss composer Oliver Waespi has provided an intriguing top section test with his composition inspired by a Thomas Tallis choral motet. Sung primarily on All Saint’s Day, it is entitled, ‘Audivi Media Nocte’, which roughly translated means, ‘I heard, at midnight…’

Modern ambiguities

Speaking to 4BR, Oliver described the work as exploring the modern ambiguities of life. "It’s a musical tale that oscillates somehow between past and present, between contemplation and frivolity, between prayer and a rave."

The original choral work has been a personal favourite of the composer for well over 20 years.

It’s a musical tale that oscillates somehow between past and present, between contemplation and frivolity, between prayer and a raveOliver Waespi

Inventive

At around 17 and a half minutes in length it places great technical as well as musical demands on performers with inventive combinations of instrumentation as well as choreographed soloists standing in front of the main band.

Vertex

In the B Section, ‘Vertex’ by Stephan Hodel will also provide a stern challenge.

In an interview with 4BR at the recent RNCM Festival of Brass, the composer revealed its mountain top inspiration (the title’s rough translation) and that it will also contain innovative instrument combinations.

Unique

Intriguingly it will also see bands having to master a unique ‘Talerschwingen’ technique, which involves the rolling of a small coin or marble around the edge of a bowl.