The European Brass Band Association has announced that a new test-piece will be used for the Championship Section contest in Utrecht in May 2018, after Dutch composer Harrie Janssen informed local organisers that he was unable to complete his commissioned work on time.

4BR understands that the respected Professor in Wind Orchestra Conducting & Theory of Music at the Academy of Music in Arnhem was approached about providing a work for the event over a year ago.

However, due to a busy 2017 schedule he has now informed the local ZIMIHC organisers that he cannot deliver a commission to the time scale required.

Aim

In a comment released in a statement on the EBBA website, a spokesperson from ZIMIHC said: "We were excited that Harrie Janssen accepted the commission. Our aim was to strengthen the field of Dutch composers writing for brass band.

Although Mr. Janssen is a well-known and respected composer for wind and fanfare bands, he has only written a few works for brass band."

Big disappointment

They added: "We started discussing the commission more than a year ago, knowing that 2017 was a busy year with several other commissions to be met. However, we were told only recently that he could not deliver the new piece for brass band on time.

At this late stage, there was no other option than to withdraw the commission. It needs no explaining that this is a big disappointment for us."

EBBA action

It has also been reported that EBBA's Music Commission has acted quickly to resolve the situation, securing the agreement of Luxembourg composer Marco Putz to provide a work for the Utrecht event.

The 2017 BUMA International Brass Award winning composer first came to recognition in 1995 after winning the International Clarinet Association Composer Contest, and has since become highly respected for more than 80 works, mainly for concert and symphonic wind bands.

He has also written a Trumpet Concerto first performed by Philippe Schartz in 2006, a Concertino for Euphonium (2003) and Konzertstueck Bass Trombone (1999). He is to write a Concerto for Euphonium & Symphonic Orchestra in 2019.

EBBA stated: "The Music Commission's first priority was to find a suitable composer or work from the region. EBBA is therefore pleased to announce that the distinguished Luxembourg composer for wind and fanfare bands Marco Putz, has agreed to make a work available for the contest."

At this late stage, there was no other option than to withdraw the commission. It needs no explaining that this is a big disappointment for usZIMIHC organisers

Grateful

Music Commission Chairman Paul Hindmarsh stated: "Marco Putz is well known to wind and fanfare bands for his dynamic, virtuoso scores, and we are very grateful to him for stepping into the breach and agreeing to make his exciting and colourful music available for the first time to brass bands at the European Championships in Utrecht in May."

Further details concerning the new work and its availability to the competing bands will be announced in due course.