Overture to a New Age for Concert Band or Fanfare Band

OVERTURE TO A NEW AGE was commissioned in 1995 to mark the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Christian Music Federation in the Dutch province of Friesland. The work opens with a festive introduction, followed by a fast and rhythmical part in 4/4 time, which invariably sounds like 8/8 time divided into three. A cadenza by the soprano saxophone heralds a contrasting movement, which is more solemn in character. A long crescendo leads towards a repeat of the fast rhythmical opening. The “Procession to a New Age” is the finale to the overture. Inthis “Procession” a completely new theme emerges which is used together with thematic material based on the introduction. The main theme from the fast movement also appears again as a counterpart to the so-called processional theme. A brilliant coda rounds off this overture in style.