British Open test piece composer Stephen Roberts has told 4BR a little more about the reasons, inspiration and difficulties the bands will face at Symphony Hall in September on his new work, ‘Arabian Nights — Fantasy on Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade for Brass Band’.

Test piece rather than arrangement

Stephen told 4BR: "I chose this subject matter at the request of Karyn and Martin Mortimer, who particularly love Scheherazade.

They wanted a test piece rather than a straight arrangement and so I have reworked the material to suit."

Material

Stephen continued: 2As I say in my synopsis, I haven't reworked the material too much, because the piece is so famous.

However, there are sections where the listener may not be sure where I have taken over and how true I have been to the original. There are also several sections that are newly composed.”

Difficult

As to its difficulty, Stephen admitted he has tested the very best bands to the limit – especially soprano players.

"The piece contains beautiful melodies but also some very hard passages that will no doubt challenge all the bands," he added.

"It may be one of the hardest test pieces yet — I don't know! I have used my own knowledge as a brass player to test every single band member in one way or another, although I did make some adjustments where I felt I had been a little too severe!!!"

The piece contains beautiful melodies but also some very hard passages that will no doubt challenge all the bandsStephen Roberts

Enjoy

Stephen does hope the band swill enjoy the Arabian inspired test though. "I am sure that all bands will rise to the challenge and above all I hope they find pleasure working on it. My apologies in advance to the soprano players, though whose final note is a super E!

Enjoy.........as they say!”

The contest will be held at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on Saturday September 7th.

Availability

The music is available to purchase through publishers Difem at: http://www.difem.ch/britishopen/