Concert Band
für Blechbläser-Septett und Blasorchester
for Brass Septet and Wind Band
Info
Austrian composer Fritz Neuböck had the idea of writing a concerto grosso for concert band and brass ensemble in mind for quite some time. The concept of a concerto grosso is to combine a larger group of musicians with a smaller group of soloists. Along with a colleague from his music school, a trumpeter of the cabaret brass ensemble “D’ Blechan” from Upper Austria, he developed a plan to write such a piece for this group. Referring to the brass instrumentation the title “CONCERTO.blecho.GROSSO” arose. As a musical theme Neuböck chose three folk tunes from his home area, the Salzkammergut. He used these traditional tunes in a playful way, drawing an interesting line from tradition to modernity. In a dialogue between band and soloists (three trumpets, three trombones and tuba) the music shifts several times from traditional brass tunes to modern and virtuous passages. The parts are demanding for all seven soloists as the first voice (e.g. trumpet) is not always in the lead. There are also technical challenges for the second and third parts. To underscore this frivolity with tradition and modernity, Neuböck adds a voice change within the group of soloists – from soft and traditional sounding conical instruments (flugelhorn, tenorhorn) to the linear modern sound of narrow bore instruments (trumpet, trombone). “CONCERTO.blecho.GROSSO” is a highly creative and exciting composition, promising an unforgettable musical experience for musicians and audience alike.