Cat No. JM49547
Price £60.00
Composer: Bruce Fraser
Categories: TEST PIECES (Major Works), Music of BRUCE FRASER

Set as the 4th. Section testpiece for the 2009 National Finals of the British Brass Band Championships.

Click on "MORE DETAILS" to view the Solo Cornet part.

Bruce Fraser writes :

"I have been at the top of some of the tallest buildings in the world where the views are just fantastic and beautiful, hence the title ALTA VISTA, meaning high view. During trips to Toronto in Canada, Chicago and New York in the United States of America, I visited the buildings depicted in this work. Suffering from vertigo, I was not the happiest of men when at the top, but I had to be impressed by what I could see.

CN Tower in Toronto was the tallest building in the world at one point and at the top you can look down through a glass floor if you dare. The Empire State Building represents the tall buildings in the city of New York. The Sears Tower in Chicago also was the tallest building in the world at one point. A shockingly fast lift takes you to the top floor, where you can look down on the planes coming in to land and have a terrific view of Lake Michigan.

The themes in the three movements are based on melodies in my Magnificat, written in memory of my younger daughter, Aileen, who died tragically after we returned from a trip to Toronto and New York. The Magnificat is a choral work lasting 50 minutes celebrating her life.
The first movement has lots of syncopated rhythms,”crunchy” chords and semitone clashes to represent the big city. The atmosphere should be of vitality and contrast. Balance is important in letting the melodic lines come through. There is plenty of dynamic contrast to work on and tightness of rhythm is key to achieving the style.

The second movement reflects a quieter, off-beat side of New York and there are lots of layers in the music, which will have to be carefully balanced to let the melody lines stand out. In the section around letter B, keep the quaver feel flowing throughout and the balance should always allow the soloist(s) to shine through.

The third movement has the brashness of the big city with lots of challenging rhythms and big dynamic contrasts. In the build up at letter I, make sure that the volume is only forte, so that the fortissimo is really effective to make a stunning finish.

I hope that you enjoy working on this piece and wish you all success".