Salutations (Bra)

• Composer: Roel Laethem
• Instrumentation: Brass Band
• Grade: 3
• Duration: 04'45''
• Item number: BVT258

Salutations was commissioned by the saxophone choir Colours of Sax and their conductor Sofie Gijsbers. They requested a lively overture with different characters, in which the ensemble could showcase all its timbres. The original composition immediately had many brass band characteristics and was subsequently expanded into a concert opener for brass band.

The work is constructed from short motifs consisting of three notes: short, powerful and recognisable. The first and most important motif is introduced at the beginning in the first notes of the composition, after which it immediately develops into a heroic theme that forms the recurring theme throughout the work.

In the second part of the composition, the mood changes and a new motif reveals the darker and more aggressive side of the orchestra. Repetitive patterns create a nervous and almost aggressive tone, and the movement ends with a powerful exclamation from the soprano cornet. However, after rain comes sunshine, and in the third movement the main motif returns in chorale form with full, warm colours.

A tense accelerando reignites the fire and results in the final section, in which the heroic theme takes the lead once again. In the last bars, the main motif resounds once more in the solo cornets and the composition pounds towards a grand finale. 

Grade: Moderate

Style: Original & concertworks

Length: