Kapitol Promotions has announced the list of set-works that will test the bands at London (12th October) and Cheltenham (14th/15th September) in search of National titles.

Championship Section:

The 20 Championship Section bands at the Royal Albert Hall will be faced with Hermann Pallhuber's 'Titan's Progress', which was originally commissioned by Brass Band Oberosterreich as their own-choice work for the 2007 European Championships.

Inspired by the four-volume 'Titan' novel written by author Jean Paul between 1800 and 1803, it tells the story of the education of the hero, Albano de Cesara, and his transformation from a passionate youth into the mature man who ascends to the throne of the small principality of Pestitz.

It also pays homage to the composer Gustav Mahler (who was an admirer of Paul's writing), whose First Symphony is subtitled 'The Titan'.

Pallhuber cleverly entwines the narrative scope of the novel with heroic marital elements alongside a stylised chorale, impudent Landler, dancing Farandole and effervescent fugue to draw a complex portrait of man who finds greatness despite his obvious flaws.

Following its acclaimed premiere it was subsequently amended for use at the 2008 Swiss National and 2009 British Open Championships.

First Section:

The First Section contenders at Cheltenham will perform Philip Sparke's 'Endeavour', which was commissioned in 1988 for the Bicentennial World Brass Band Championships in Brisbane.

It is named after the ship on which Captain Cook set sail on his first voyage of discovery between 1768 and 1771, and which subsequently reached the east coast of Australia in April 1770.

Written in three parts, the opening 'The Unknown Continent' charts the anticipation of finding 'Terra Australis'. The pioneering spirit of early settlers in evoked in the central 'The New Challenge', whilst the eventual development of the nation is marked in the final 'Celebration'.

It has been used at various competitions, including the Championship Section of the Australian National Championships in 2000.

Second Section:

Edward Gregson's four movement 'Occasion' will test the Second Section contenders.
Commissioned for the 1986 National Youth Championships of Great Britain it is an amalgam of three earlier inspirations and one new section — each fit for a special 'occasion': 'Fanfare', 'Festivities', 'Elegy' and 'Dance'.

The opening 'Fanfare' movement was originally written as a fanfare for the 1981 wedding of Edward Gregson's great friend and fellow composer Paul Patterson, while 'Elegy' and 'Dance' were commissioned as a test-piece for a Scottish invitation contest in 1982. The second movement 'Festivities' was added to complete the work for the 1986 event.

It has previously been used as the Third Section National Finals work in 1989.

Third Section:

Thierry Deleruyelle's evocative 'Viking Age' will provide a compact (around 10 and half minutes), and exciting test for the Third Section bands.

The four sections reflect on the 'Viking Age' that lasted from the 8th to the 11th century — from the arrival of 'The Northern Men' with their shrewd insight and mercantile prowess, to their 'Explorer' desires to seek new lands, the fearsome nature of their 'Raids' and finally, their lasting 'Heritage' which is still with us today.

The thematic material is based on an initial four note cell that appears in different forms; thematic, contrapuntal or as accompaniment.

It was used as the set-work at the 2018 Third Section Dutch National Championships.

Fourth Section:

Stephen Bulla's beautifully crafted 'Beecher Variations' will test the bands in the Fourth Section. It was written in 2015 as a joint commission for the Fourth Division of Netherlands National Championships and the Buffalo Silver Band from New York in celebration of its centenary.

It takes the form of a theme and variations on the 1870 hymn tune 'Beecher' by John Zundel, which was named in honour of his pastor, Henry Ward Beecher. It elegantly captures different styles and emotions — from the expressive to the triumphant and features solo excerpts for cornet, soprano, flugel and euphonium.

It was published as a setting for Charles Wesley's 'Love Divine, All Loves Excelling' and is also known as 'Zundel'.

The 20 Championship Section bands at the Royal Albert Hall will be faced with Hermann Pallhuber's 'Titan's Progress'4BR

Test Pieces:

Championship Section: Titan's Progress (Hermann Pallhuber)
First Section: Endeavour (Philip Sparke)
Second Section: Occasion (Edward Gregson)
Third Section: Viking Age (Thierry Deleruyelle)
Fourth Section: Beecher Variations (Stephen Bulla)