Almansa
Symphonic Episode ~ Episodio Sinfónico
by Ferrer Ferran
Concert Band - Sheet Music

Concert Band/Harmonie - Grade 4

SKU: BT.IB-069-140

Symphonic Episode ~ Episodio Sinfónico. Composed by Ferrer Ferran. IberMúsica Serious (Red). Concert Piece. Score Only. Composed 2013. 46 pages. Ibermusica #IB 069-140. Published by Ibermusica (BT.IB-069-140).

9x12 inches. English-Spanish.

Almansa was commissioned by the Sociedad Unión Musical de Almansa (Almansa Music Union Society), in the Albacete province of Spain, to mark the 150th anniversary of the band (1858-2008). The piece was premiered on 29 November 2008 at Almansa’sTeatro Regio by the dedicatee orchestra under the baton of its conductor, Juan Manuel Alarcón.Al-Manzah, nowadays called Almansa, is a town of Muslim origin. Its name comes from the Arabic word al-mansah, meaning “the watchtower”. On a rocky peakabove the town stands an impressive castle from where it is possible to admire the Spanish Levant (the Mediterranean coast of the Valencian region) from the Meseta (a highplateau in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula).This symphonic episode openswith a gentle melody played by the oboe before developing gradually throughout the piece. This melody is based on the contemporary name of the town, Almansa: Al (La = A) - M (Mi = E) - A (La = A) - N (Do# = C#) - S (Si = B) - A (La = A).Anentertaining ballad built upon an asymmetrical meter in 5/8 leads to a singing motif and a pleasant harmony. The beginning of an Arabic dance leads to a great Moorish march, one of conquest. The recapitulation of the opening theme brings a finaltouch to the traditional Hispanic character of this musical episode.This is a delightful and festive piece which is both pleasant to listen to and exciting to play.This work is dedicated to the members of the Sociedad Unión Musical de Almansa and itsdirector, Juan Manuel Alarcón, in recognition of his success and musical talent.

Al-Manzah wordt tegenwoordig Almansa genoemd. Deze Spaanse stad heeft een Moorse oorsprong; de naam komt van het Arabische woord al-mansah, dat ‘de wachttoren’ betekent. Op een rotspunt boven de stad staat een indrukwekkende kasteel van waar het mogelijk is om de Spaanse Levant (de Middellandse kust van de regio Valencia) van het hoge plateau van de Meseta te bewonderen. Dit is een prachtige en feestelijke werk: prettig om naar te luisteren en spannend om te spelen!

Al-Manzah, heutzutage Almansa genannt, ist eine Stadt muslimischen Ursprungs. Der Name stammt von dem arabischen Wort "al-mansah“ für "Wachturm“. Auf einem felsigen Gipfel über der Stadt steht eine eindrucksvolle Burg, von der aus man die spanische Levante (die Mittelmeerküste der Region Valencia) überblicken kann. Dieses reizende, festliche Stück ist sowohl ebenso spannend zu spielen wie zu hören.

Al-Manzah, présent appelé Almansa, est une ville d’origine musulmane. Son nom vient du mot arabe al-mansah, signifiant « le mirador ». Sur un sommet rocheux au-dessus de la ville s’élève un ch teau impressionnant d’où on peut admirer le Levantespagnol (la côte méditerranée de la région valencienne) ainsi que le Meseta (un plateau au centre de la péninsule ibérique).

Ceci est un morceau charmant et festif qui est aussi agréable d’écouter qu’il est captivant de jouer.

Al-Manzah, oggi chiamata Almansa, è una citt di origine musulmane. Il nome deriva dalla parola araba al-mansah, che significa ‘la torre di guardia’. Su una cima rocciosa che sovrasta la citt si erge un castello impressionante dal quale è possibile ammirare il levante spagnolo (la costa mediterranea della regione di Valencia) dalla Meseta (un elevato altipiano al centro della penisola iberica). Questo è un brano delizioso e festoso che è sia piacevole da ascoltare, sia divertente da suonare.