Composer Ed de Boer has spoken to 4BR to express his delight at the responses he has received to his work, ‘Vita Aeterna Variations’, which was used at the British Open Championship at Symphony Hall last weekend.

Humbling

"It’s been amazing," he said. "I enjoyed a magnificent weekend in Birmingham and have been rather taken aback at the response to my work.

I feel so honoured that it was used for such a prestigious contest and the e-mails, calls and personal responses have been humbling after people heard it in concert on Friday evening and again at the contest on the Saturday.

I cannot express my gratitude enough to everyone who has been so kind."

Interpretations

The composer listened throughout the day and was equally delighted at the number of different interpretations that he heard.

"That really was something. To hear so many conductors bring something of great musical note in such different ways from the score was so refreshing. Every band did something special — the very best were simply amazing."

Worthwhile

He added: "I will try and respond to everyone who kindly got in touch, but I must thank the British Open organisers for such a warm welcome, as well as the players and conductors who performed my work so magnificently, and the audience who sat and listened. I hope they all found it a worthwhile musical experience."

The composer also revealed that he now hopes that ‘Vita Aeterna Variations’ will be performed in its orchestral version in the near future, and that he will be able to write another major brass band work if possible.

"I have sent scores to a number of orchestras who have expressed interest, so I hope it can be heard in a slightly different setting by even more people now.

I would love to be able to write another brass band work that could be possibly be used at such an event again — it has certainly given me such an awareness of the possibilities great brass bands provide a composer."

I would love to be able to write another brass band work that could be possibly be used at such an event again — it has certainly given me such an awareness of the possibilities great brass bands provide a composerEd De Boer

Brass band fan

In the meantime, he told 4BR that he has become a real hard core brass band fan, and will be heading to the Dutch National Championships later this year.

"I will certainly be there, and if possible I would love to come back and listen in the audience at the British Open once again.

It really was something special."