John Brakstad

Variations for Brass Band

Variations for Brass Band' consists of a chorale and 5 variations of brilliant, lyric and humorous character. The piece also contains several soloparts and elements of ensemble. Each variation has it's own title, but the piece should be played in it's entirity. The chorale is based on a minor pentachord, and each variation begins with these five notes, with different rhythmical treatment. There is also a little secondary 'theme', consisting of five notes which are heard throughout the work (eg. as sixteens/semiquavers in cornets in bar 1). When the beams sweep across the Earth, they can be heard as regular pulses. We call them pulsars. In this piece there are three percussion parts. In addition there is an 'optional part' to replace the marimba and vibraphone written in the three original percussion parts if desired. This fourth part is shown in the full score.