Festa Paesana
by Jacob De Haan
Concert Band - Sheet Music

Concert Band/Harmonie - Grade 3

SKU: BT.DHP-1002022-010

Composed by Jacob De Haan. Inspiration Series. Concert Piece. Set (Score & Parts). Composed 2000. 6 pages. De Haske Publications #DHP 1002022-010. Published by De Haske Publications (BT.DHP-1002022-010).

Lunteren, a village on the Veluwe (a wooded region in the Netherlands), sets the scene annually for a village festival dominated by folklore. Festa Paesana (Italian for village festival) is set to music by several folkloric sketches. The theme in Festa Paesana is partly based on a Dutch anthem (Wien Neerlands bloed); when other lyrics are used it is also known as the Lunteren anthem.The work begins with a festive introduction, completed by chimes and drums, in which pieces of the Lunteren anthem are heard. The music then transitions to represent a horse auction. We hear horses run their first rounds in the auction ring while being whipped. The following theme is partly basedon the anthem. The tension of the traditional auction is amplified by an ever-increasing cadence, reaching its climax when the word ?Sold!? is shouted. The night ends with a majestic variation on the Lunteren anthem.The next morning, when the tower clock hits seven times, the village is awaked by the reveille of the heralds. In a fugatic version of the anthem, we can hear the village slowly come to life. This evolves with the chiming of all towers in the village; the celebration can begin. Carriages drawn by horses rumble through the village and thus, it is easy to hear when a horse hesitates or runs amuck. A traditional folk dance group then dances a whirling waltz while the audience shares their pleasure. Musicians march along the scene and take over the waltz theme in their march. Until deep in the night, the musicians are still heard playing in the streets. Meanwhile, we hear the anthem theme being played in a choral variation (in minor). The first time it is played quietly, as a preparation for Sunday. Then it is played in a celebrating way, enabling the devout village residents to remember the past pleasant celebration with satisfaction.

Jacob de Haan ist zu Gast in der Region Veluwe und vertont auf seine eigene Weise das jährliche Dorffest - ganz im Zeichen des Brauchtums in Lunteren. "Als Thema wählte ich ein niederländisches Volkslied, Wien Nederlans bloed. Mit einem anderen Text ist dies das Lied von Lunteren. Glockengeläut und Trommeln eröffnen das Werk. Fetzen des Volkslieds sind dann unmittelbar schon zu erkennen.“ Es folgt ein bewegliches Allegro. "Pferde erscheinen auf der Bildfläche und laufen unter Peitschenschlägen ihre erste Runde. Volkstheater und Tänze im Renaissance-Stil, die traditionelle Auktion, der Weckruf der Herolde am nächsten Morgen. Pferdewagen, ein paar Pferde gehen durch! Einwirbelnder Walzer von einer Volkstanzgruppe, marschierende Musikanten. Bis spät in die Nacht hört man sie noch in den Straßen spielen“ erzählt ein begeisterter Jacob de Haan. Aber dann... erklingt das Volksliedthema in einer Choralvariation in Moll. Und dann wieder festlich. Die frommen Dorfbewohner sind auf dem Weg zur Kirche und denken voller Zufriedenheit an das Fest zurück. Festa Paesana: Jacob de Haan lässt den Zuhörer an einem stimmungsvollen Dorffest teilhaben. Man glaubt, selbst dabei gewesen zu sein...!