A new work by composer Stephen Roberts inspired by perhaps the most famous ballet music ever written has been announced as the set work for the 163rd British Open Championship.
Swan Lake
‘Reflections on Swan Lake’ follows on from the success of his ‘Fantasy on Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade', which gained widespread popular acclaim after its use at the 2013 contest.
It will be the third time Stephen Roberts has been commissioned to write the test piece for the British Open, which this year takes place at Symphony Hall, Birmingham on Saturday 5th September.
No hesitation
A British Open Championship spokesperson told 4BR: “Following the overwhelming success of 'Arabian Nights' in 2013, there was absolutely no hesitation in inviting Stephen to write another piece for the event.
It also continues our aim of providing music for the British Open that maintains the heritage of the oldest brass contest in the world.
Stephen's new work is one that we believe will provide an enjoyable challenge for the competitors as well as give the audience a wonderful opportunity to listen to the finest bands perform a test piece inspired by the most famous ballet music ever written.”
Tone poem
Written in the form of tone poem utilising themes from the Tchaikovsky’s ballet, 'Reflections on Swan Lake', sees various elements of the original score woven together into a test piece that broadly follows the four-movement symphonic pattern.
Rather enticingly, the Open spokesperson revealed that the composer had ‘sacrificed his own compositional ego to respect Tchaikovsky’s music, but was given an added license to thrill’.
Deceptive
Stephen Roberts told 4BR: “To a certain extent the ‘deceptive’ qualities of musical virtuosity are pitted against the ‘pure’ qualities of melody and this antagonism epitomises the test element of the piece.”
However, he did add that it wouldn’t see players pushed to the very limits of their technical abilities. “Soprano players can rest easy this time — as there won’t be a top E finish!”
Publisher:
‘Reflections on Swan Lake’ has been published by Tanglewind Music and is available from May 9th from:
Difem Music Publishers
Route d’ Englisberg 11 CH-1763 Granges- Paccot
Tél.: +41 (0)26 413 40 13
Fax: +41 (0)26 413 45 55
E-mail: info@topscorediffusion.ch
http://shop.topscorediffusion.ch/difem/index.phpe
Tickets:
Tickets for this year’s contest will go on sale at Symphony Hall Box Office on 12th May.
Further information on the British Open can be found at the following link:
