National Finals 2017 Test Piece Intro - Section Four
Section Four - PETITE SUITE DE BALLET (Eric Ball)
Published by R Smith & Co
This composition consists of four ‘miniatures’, simple in construction, yet not without technical demands upon the players. The music is for a ballet which so far exists only in the imagination! Like most ballet, it has a touch of the fantastic, and must be interpreted with a light, deft touch. The first movement, Parade, brings many characteristics on to the stage, marching perkily, leggily, with almost puppet-like movements. In the next movement, Pas Seul (Solo Dance), one lone figure holds the stage, with a mixture of grace and sauciness. At the end he (or she) runs off with a snap of the fingers. The third movement is a Minuet. A chosen few, richly garbed, perform this stately, courtly dance, while the rest of the company look on at some ritual in which they are not allowed to join. The final Ensemble commences with the return of the lone figure, gradually brings the whole company to the stage. Various groups come forward for a few moments, and then rejoin the general pattern of the dancing. Towards the end a stately procession is formed, but this finally breaks up in a sudden flurry of leaping and capering, and in a moment, as though at some magic call, the dances have disappeared, whilst the sonorous tones of the final bars of music follow them with a rather disapproving air. Our little fantasy is over.
PREVIOUS MAJOR CONTESTING USAGE
National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain - Regionals 1949 (Section 3)
National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain - Regionals 1969 (Section 4)
Swiss National Championships 1985 (2nd Division), 2008 (4th Division)
Belgian National Championships 1988 (2nd Division), 2001 (3rd Division)
Norwegian National Championships 1988 (3rd Division)
Australian Championships 1993 (D Grade)
Dutch National Championships 1993 (4th Division)
