The European Brass Band Association (EBBA) is pleased to announce the set test pieces for the 46th European Brass Band Championships, Stavanger, Norway.
Four new compositions by four Norwegian composers, commissioned by the host organiser, Norwegian band federation (NMF) and published by Norsk Musikkforlag.
Championship section
– Transitions in Energy
Fredrick Schjelderup is the composer of the Championship section set test. Olav M. Skår developed the initial concept of the piece. The piece reflects on the role of energy in the development of earth and society, climate concerns and hopefully a positive future beyond. Transitions in Energy is written in 3 movements, The Past, The Present and The Future, played continuously: The Present contains an “In Memoriam” to Alexander L. Kielland, the most impactful oil and gas disaster in Norway which capsized during a storm on the 27th of March 1980. 123 lives were lost and many in Norway still seek full closure.
Fredrick Schjelderup
Fredrick (b. 1990) is a composer, arranger and conductor from Bergen. Fredrick finished his bachelor’s degree in composing at Grieg Academy of Music (University of Bergen) in 2014 and has made a name for himself as a composer since then. Several times his music has been nominated for “Piece of the year” and “Newcomer of the year” at the Norwegian Music Publishers Award in the category “Classical / Contemporary Music”.
Challenge section – Embracing Duality
“Embracing Duality” is composed by Ingebjørg Vilhelmsen for the Challenge section. The piece depicts Hel, the ruler of the underworld in Norse mythology. Hel is a complex figure reflecting the Norse worldview’s emphasis on the cyclical nature of life and death. She represents the idea that death is not to be feared but accepted as a natural part of existence, and her realm, Helheim, serves as a place of rest and judgement for departed souls.
Hel is often depicted as a figure with a dual appearance, where one half of her body is that of a living woman, while the other half is that of a corpse, showing signs of decay. This duality symbolizes her dominion over both life and death.
Ingebjørg Vilhelmsen
Ingebjørg (b. 1993) is a composer, orchestrator, arranger, and cornet player.
She specializes in test pieces and other major works for brass band, concert band, and orchestra. Ingebjørg has a master’s degree in Musicology from the University of Oslo, focusing on composition of contest music for brass band. She also studied music at Goldsmiths (University of London), as well as extra credits in composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
EYBBC Premier section – Northern Passages
Kjetil Djønne is the composer of the Premier section set test.
Northern Passages is a four-movement work that portrays the Norwegian landscape through traditional Norwegian dances.
In the first movement the music paints a picture of fjords and mountains, building up to a powerful climax before moving forward. The second movement is a playful mazurka inspired by the musical “Småtroll” of Johan Halvorsen and Edvard Grieg. The Hardanger fiddle is the inspiration to the third movement, “Bånsull”, and the fourth movement is a traditional Norwegian dance halling.
Kjetil Djønne
Kjetil (c. 1996) has a master’s degree in conducting from the University in Stavanger, as well as a bachelor’s degree in compositions from the Grieg Academy in Bergen. In 2021 he won the award for break-through of the year within classical/modern music in Norway. Kjetil is a sought-after composer in both Norway and abroad and has written music for several top bands in Europe.
EYBBC Development section
– Four Brief Actions
The set test piece for the Development section is written by the highly experienced composer Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen.
The piece is in four short movements that are self-explaining.
Chasing: This is a canon. All instruments play the same short motive as a musical chase. A fragment of a melody heard in the ending of the movement.
Running: 16th notes (semiquavers) dominate and proceed with a funky rhythm.
Singing: Some instruments play melodic fragments; others play small melodies. All instruments are asked to play in a cantabile, singing way.
Ending (with a Viking tune): This energetic music is based on an old Norse song: Sigurd Fåvnesbane (Sigurd the Dragons Slayer).
Torstein Aagaard- Nilsen
Torstein (b. 1964) is a freelance composer, arranger and conductor. He studied at the Bergen University and Bergen Music Conservatory. His music is direct and impulsive. Sometimes narrative, sometimes occupied by visual aspects, like experience of nature. Harmony and melody are treated merely like objects, which gives a certain freedom regarding tonality and timbre. Torstein has been awarded several awards for his compositions for a large range of different ensembles.
