Ever since antiquity, mankind has been fascinated by the lion. It symbolises courage, strength and temperance. Its famous roar has led to numerous legends. From people and their rulers, to cities and their nations, many have made use of the lion to represent themselves in symbols and emblems.

 

This work was originally commissioned by Eurofestival 2016, whose members, similar to these lions, created legends by organizing the first European Brass Band Championships in France (Lille), under the auspices of the EBBA (European Brass Band Association) and the French musical confederation (CMF).

 

In five movements the composer describes both the history of the lion throughout centuries, as well as the characteristics.

 

1. The King of the Animals

 

“The lion’s mane gives it a similar appearance to the sun, which looks like the ‘King of the Stars’. This is how it originally came to be named ‘The King of the Animals’. It is the largest African carnivore and stands at the top of the food chain. People are its only predator”. (A dynamic introduction that lets us hear the presentation of the motif: E-F-D is played, before leading the way to a more melodic and softer passage).

 

2. Claws and Roaring

 

“Lions live in herds, for social ties and communicate with each other. They each have their own role, unlike most other big cats, which live more solitary lives. They grumble, growl and hiss but above all they roar and their claws are merciless”. (The character of the piece becomes more threatening during a long cadenza for solo cornet, this time mirroring the motif. We can hear the claws of the lion played by the Guiro. The roar of the lion can be played by either the percussion, an audio sample or the kettledrums. We then hear a mirrored version of the main theme).

 

3. The Buffalo Hunt

 

“It is still dark, the sun begins to rise. The lions detect their prey and their pulses race as they await the right time to attack. From antelopes to buffalos, the herd is in need of meat to survive. This is generally entrusted to the lionesses, as they are faster and more agile. The lions chase slower prey but also ensure the safety of the herd by tackling intruders and other threats on their territory”. (The character becomes warlike; we hear the heartbeat of the lions, played by the bass drum and the bass parts. The attack then takes place at a tempo that keeps increasing and with ensemble effects that highlight the agility of the musicians).

 

4. Emblems and Crests

 

“Mankind has such a fascination with the lion that there are numerous crests and blazons of cities and countries in different forms – langued, armed etc. – in countries such as England, France, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Scotland, Sweden, India, Bulgaria, Armenia, Italy, Spain, Ireland and more”. (The music becomes more serene thanks to the chorale played in a slow tempo. Before the great tutti, we hear the soloists that are featured separately.

 

5. King of Kings

 

“There have been numerous ‘Legends of Lions’, for instance. Yvain, the Knight of the Lion in the legend of King Arthur, the Chinese imperial guardian lions and the Nemean lion in Greek mythology. History has also known other famous lions such as the Lion of Flanders and Richard the Lionheart”. (The work finishes with a fast coda, which picks up the introduction and finishes with an explosive ending).