For The Knights of Malre (Fa)

• Composer: Jan De Maeseneer
• Instrumentation: Fanfare Band
• Grade: 4
• Duration: 9'00''
• Item number: BVT179

The work 'For The Knights of Malre' is a tribute to all the knights who fought for the city of Malderen. ‘Malre’ was one of the first names of the village. In the work 'For The Knights of Malre' you are thrown into history at the moment that Jan van Marselaer (knight who lived between 1330 and 1397 in Malderen) fought in the Battle of Baesweiler in 1371. (A small tip, use wrenches if necessary for the metal sounds).

Imprisoned

Jan van Marselaer fought in the Battle of Baesweiler under the banner of Jan van Releghem, where initially the ‘Brabanders’ seemed to win the battle until the ‘Gulikers’ got the support of the ‘Geldersen’, so the Brabanders had to withdraw. In the music you can hear the theme of the Brabanders clearly dominating, but towards the end of this part you can hear the Gulikers come in the foreground with a fade in which the Brabanders chase away and defeat through the fade out of this theme. Jan van Marselaer was taken prisoner of war for 2 years (symbolized by the tubular bells at the end of this part). Eventually he is released by paying ransom.

Falling in love with the land

In Falling in love with the country, you can feel the homesickness that Jan van Marselaer has felt for his home region. On his return he would do more for that country and its inhabitants.

Building the watermill

In 1381 Jan van Marselaer had a second watermill built. Mills were used to grind the grain and thus feed the people. The watermill was then called the 'Mill of Coevoirde' or nowadays the 'Koevoetmolen'. Just before F you get a dissonant chord that symbolizes the disaster that will happen from F. Malre was destroyed and set on fire several times, you can hear the bells ringing as a fire alarm from the Middle Ages, the chaos in the village breaks loose and the sea of flames roars over the roofs.

Everything is destroyed

In 1488 the Hof van Marselaer and its buildings were destroyed by Burgundian troops from Mechelen, in 1572 the church was plundered by princely horsemen, in 1590 both the church and the mills were set on fire. Malderen is therefore also a place of great suffering. The part contains the feelings of the inhabitants: anger, sadness, but also hope for better times all this is symbolized by the heartbeat you feel in the bass drum.

The Battle

In 'The Battle', the battle between the various enemies is expressed. In this part you also get the opportunity to stage the battle by letting the sword fight with real swords convey the rhythms to your audience.

Celebrating the city with music

In the last part we look at the bustling Malderen of today with lively musical societies, which despite the suffering of its entire history has found peace and quiet and is ready to celebrate life with festive music.

Grade: Advanced

Composer: Jan De Maeseneer

Style: Original & concertworks

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