The forthcoming Norwegian National Championship has long enjoyed a reputation for providing a platform for composers to showcase new works, and this year is no exception — although in the case of Danish composer Jacob Vilhelm Larsen, it will spotlight not one, but two contest premiere performances.

IMI Brass

Late last year the recently appointed composer-in-residence for the Reg Vardy Band (above) was commissioned by conductor Per-Erik Petersen and the IMI Brass from Stavanger to compose their own choice work for the championship, which takes place in the famous Greighallen in Bergen next weekend.

The result is a set of six variations based on the old Ravenscroft hymn ‘Remember, O Thou Man’ from the ‘Malismata’, dating back to 1611, which was given its concert premiere by Per-Erik and IMI Brass at a pre-contest concert in Stavanger this week.

Expectations fulfilled

Per-Erik told 4BR: “We eagerly awaited the arrival of the new work from Jacob, and our expectations were fulfilled. It’s a great piece of music; challenging in all parts, an immense pleasure to play and contains all the things you want from a test piece.

We are really looking forward to playing it in Bergen, and I’m sure many other bands will want to perform it as well. We hope everyone — especially the judges, will enjoy it!”

Six variations

The work is a set of variations which following an opening fanfare and presentation of the original theme, with each element having a distinctive musical characteristic. The work culminates in a glorious recapitulation of the full hymn.

Composer delight

The composer was delighted by the concert premiere, as he told 4BR: “I’m always very emotional when hearing my music being played for the first time.

The many hours spend working on a composition is suddenly a striking reality, and I was very pleased with the performance and the work Per-Erik and the band has put into the preparations. I wish them all the best of luck in Bergen.”

In demand

Jacob is currently one of the most ‘in demand’ composers in the banding world, with ‘The Saga of Tyrfing’ set to be used at the National Youth Championships of Great Britain in April.

We eagerly awaited the arrival of the new work from Jacob, and our expectations were fulfilled. It’s a great piece of musicPer-Erik Petersen, MD of IMI Brass

Second premiere

In the meantime, he is also set to enjoy a second premiere with ‘Symphonic Scenes For Brass Band & Percussion — Pantheon’ — inspired by the great imperial era of Rome.

The work was commissioned by the Stangaland Brass, which the composer has conducted at the National Championship on several occasions.

Jacob told 4BR that the work comes from his great interest in the historic Roman world: “The music is inspired by the iconic Pantheon in Rome — the name meaning ‘the temple of all Gods’, and which was built around 118AD.”

Love and heroes

He added: “When I visited Rome for the first I was amazed by this fantastic, historic building, which in turn gave me a lifelong interest in Roman history where Pantheon plays a central role.

The music has no religious meaning but I try to depict historic events taking place in and around it — a place for love and a place for heroes."