New Beginnings
New Beginnings was commissioned by the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain and was first performed by The National Children’s Brass Band of Great Britain in August 2021.
It describes in sonic terms the effect that energy can create, both musically and emotionally. Here, in a burst of vibrant rhythmic patterning, and dedicated to the young players of this famous brass band, New Beginnings is born.
There are three sections.
From the start, it is driven by the percussion section, who push the energy through a sequence of mysterious and joyous moments.
After a sonorous climax, the music subsides to a slower, romantic middle section where the earlier rhythmic energy is transformed into melodic playing from the brass.
As the Finale begins, earlier themes are combined, first with a fugato which passes the melodies around the band and then unites in a recapitulation that brings the whole composition to a rousing finish as the romantic hymn makes a final appearance.