Dances from Morning of the Year
by Geoffrey Brand
Concert Band - Sheet Music

Concert band (Piccolo, 1st Flute, 2nd Flute, 1st Oboe, 2nd Oboe*, English Horn, Eb Clarinet, 1st Bb Clarinet, 2nd Bb Clarinet, 3rd Bb Clarinet, Eb Alto Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet, 1st Bassoon, 2nd Bassoon*, 1st Eb Alto Saxophone, 2nd Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Tenor Saxopho) - grade 5

SKU: CN.R10177

Composed by Geoffrey Brand. Arranged by Geoffrey Brand. Band Music. Maestro Band Series. Score and parts. Duration 12:30. Published by G & M Brand Music Publishers (CN.R10177).

Much of the thematic material for this lovely work by Holst is derived from the opening legato melodies provided by soli horns. The themes morph into several different dance feels throughout the remainder of the piece always keeping you guessing what will come next. Geoffrey Brand has done a masterful job of adapting the score for the modern concert band.

Holst's original version of 'The Morning of the Year' was written in 1926-27 as a choral ballet. It was the first work to be commissioned by the music department of the BBC. The first concert performance was on 17 March 1927 at the Royal Albert Hall, London conducted by the composer. In 1979 Colin Matthews and Imogen Holst edited this concert version with the approval of the publisher and G&I Holst Ltd. The chorus has been left out and several of the dances have been shortened. Some additional percussion was introduced to suggest the sounds the dancers would have provided in a stage performance. Geoffrey Brand arranged the work for concert band in 1995 with permission from G&I Holst Ltd.