Elite Belgian bands wishing to claim the honour of being their National representative at the European Championships in Ostend in 2017 will have to unravel the stylistic nuances of Philip Sparke's latest major opus at their National Championship.
La Valse
The contest at the splendid Cultural Centre Zwaneberg in Heist-op-den-Berg (above) on the weekend of the 26th/27th November, will see them tackle 'Raveling, Unraveling — In search of La Valse', which was originally commissioned by Cory as their successful own-choice selection for the 2016 European Championship event.
It is, according to the composer, an 'act of reverence', as he organically develops a work, 'through a series of interrelated themes and takes a single, inexorable journey through ever-increasing tempi to a whirlwind finish', using various sections of 'La Valse' — both manipulated and quoted verbatim.
Samson
Meanwhile, the First Division bands will also recall one of the musical highlights of Lille as they tackle 'Samson' by Rodolphe Schacher which proved to be a popular and engaging set-work in the Challenge Section.
The tone poem is inspired by the biblical tale from the Book of Judges of the eponymous hero 'Samson' — recalling a life of heroism, belief, love, betrayal and revenge.
Saga
It's also a tale of myth and magic in the Second Division as well, with Jacob Vilhelm Larsen's colourful 'The Saga of Tyrfing' — all malevolent sword making dwarves, sibling rivalry and more blood and guts than an episode of 'Game of Thrones'.
Graces
Meanwhile, like their counterparts in Switzerland, Third Division bands will take on the elegant stylistic challenges of Olivier Waespi's wonderfully constructed homage to the renaissance court life of 17th century Milan and its famous dance master Cesare Negri — 'The Graces of Love'.
The adjudication team for the event has been confirmed as Philip Sparke, Jan de Haan and Torgny Hanson.
Set-works:
Championship Division: Raveling, Unraveling (Philip Sparke)
First Division: Samson (Rodolphe Schacher)
Second Division: The Saga of Tyrfing (Jacob Vilhelm Larsen)
Third Division: The Graces of Love (Oliver Waespi)
