It is one of the most frequently covered titles in the history of pop music: the song FOREVER YOUNG by the synth-pop band ALPHAVILLE from Münster, released in autumn 1984. The group’s mastermind was Bernhard Lloyd, who was born in East Westphalia. Although he didn't play an instrument himself, he composed the first captivating instrumental tracks in the early 1980s with the help of the synthesiser that had just appeared on the market. Hartwig Schierbaum - alias Marian Gold - provided him with the vocals. Especially the lyrics, written by himself (in a foreign language), show such eloquence and depth that many initially suspected ALPHAVILLE to be a British band.
Although FOREVER YOUNG was the first song ever composed by Lloyd, it was released as the last of the three main tracks on the later album of the same name. While BIG IN JAPAN and SOUNDS LIKE A MELODY, which had already been released as singles, became gigantic successes within a very short time, the parallel work on FOREVER YOUNG was slow. The reason for this was, among other things, the drum track composed by Lloyd. The producers considered it restless and commercially unpromising. Like the other two titles, FOREVER YOUNG was also designed as a dance track. Andreas Budde - one of the co-owners of the recording studio at the time - watched the work on the track from afar with impatience. On the third day without any noteworthy development, he entered the studio, pulled down all the rhythm section controls and stated succinctly: "This is the song!" The result was a timeless ballad that has been unbrokenly successful for almost four decades and indeed seems to remain forever young.
This arrangement for wind orchestra is very much based on the well-known original at the beginning, but then goes its own way. In addition to a brief look at the original version, the song that helped the band to their international breakthrough in January 1984 also appears in the form of a short quotation.
Münster, October 2022 - Thiemo Kraas
Musical note:
The opening solo can be played by a tenor or alto saxophone or a tenor horn (baritone / euphonium). A vocal part is also included music set.