The list of works chosen as the test pieces for the 2012 National Finals has been released by event organisers Kapitol Promotions Ltd.

Stunning

There is sure to be a great deal of growing anticipation with the news that Howard Snell’s stunning arrangement of the music from the Second Suite of Ravel’s ‘Daphnis and Chloe’ will test the bands at the Royal Albert Hall.

The new arrangement enhances the existing concert version Snell scored over 25 year ago and which he used to help lead Desford Colliery Band to the European title in Cardiff in 1986.

'Daphnis and Chloe' is widely regarded as one of the greatest orchestral arrangements ever made for the brass band medium.

'Daphnis and Chloe' is widely regarded as one of the greatest orchestral arrangements ever made for the brass band medium4BR

Young composers

There will also be a great deal of excitement at the news that Kapitol has commissioned new works from the pens of some of the leading young composers in the UK to be used at the Finals in Cheltenham.

First Section

First Section bands will have to get to grips with Tom Davoren’s ‘VIVAT!’, which celebrates the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

Written in three continuous sections it is inspired by Hubert Parry’s coronation anthem ‘I Was Glad’, including a gentle opening ‘In Memorium’ evoking her father George VI, the following spirited ‘Coronation’ and a celebratory ‘Jubilate’.

Tom’s work, ‘Looking In – A Self Portrait for Brass Band’ was recently a prize winner at the 5th European Composer’s Competition in Rotterdam.

Second Section

There is a more traditional contrast for the bands in the Second Section as they tackle the Denis Wright arrangement of ‘Academic Festival Overture’ by Brahms.

The original was written in 1880 with the brass band version arranged in 1936. It has proven to be a popular contest and concert work ever since, and was used as the Second Section Finals test piece in 1984.

Third Section

‘Three Ancient Customs’ by R Huw Cole, the talented composer and conductor who has worked in and around Wales and the West of England over the past decade will provide a colourful test in the Third Section.

The work celebrates the traditions and customs of the hinterland of the Welsh borders including ‘Cwrw Bach’ (‘Small Beer’) ‘Mari Lwyd’ and ‘Wassail’.

The two Welsh elements of the work were featured for his suite, ‘Two Ancient Welsh Customs’ which was performed at the John Golland Composition Awards at the RNCM Festival of Brass in 2011.

Fourth Section

One of the youngest ever composers to write for a National Finals will be featured in the Fourth Section.

‘A British Isles Suite for Brass Band and Percussion’ written by the talented 17 year old Jonathan Bates, quotes some of the most famous British poets and prose writers.

The four movement work is inspired by Robert Burns, Dylan Thomas, William Butler Yeats and Williams Shakespeare, as well as the great English composers Elgar and Holst.

Each of the movements captures the essence of the writer’s poetic inspiration – from the Scottish highlands and unrequited Welsh love to Celtic dancing and English pomp and splendour.

Inspiration

Music Panel Secretary Alan Hope told 4BR: "There is a wide spread of music for the Finals this year, inspired in part by the celebrations of sporting and royal events."

All the works will be available from the publishers, Kirklees Music, Studio Music, R. Smith & Co and Prima Vista Music from June 1st.