Jeg er glad for at kunne fortælle, at Concord Brass Band, dirigeret af Stig Mærsk, fremførte mit værk Håbet for brassband og orgel ved RNCM International Brass Band Festival i Manchester lørdag den 24. januar 2026. Orgelstemmen blev spillet af Ben Attfield.
Det var første gang et dansk brassband var inviteret til denne prestigefyldte festival, og jeg er meget beæret over, at de valgte at inkludere mit værk i deres program.
Jeg komponerede Håbet i 2001 til minde om Slaget på Reden i 1801. Værket skildrer slagets rædsler og kaos, men bevæger sig til sidst mod håb og eftertanke.
Anmeldelserne var en glæde at læse. British Bandsman beskrev opførelsen som begyndende “with an off stage cornet solo and featuring organist Ben Attfield at times commanding the stage and at others floating over the battlefield.” Brassing Around bemærkede, at “organ in this piece is so effective, and it coincides with the band parts very well, with the band lower end even sounding like an organ in some places just from pure power of sound.” It’s Not a Trumpet anmeldte ligeledes koncerten:
“Written to commemorate the 1801 Battle of Copenhagen, The Hope featured Ben Attfield on organ and was an incredibly evocative work to listen to. Bravo to the band’s Soprano Cornet player, who featured heavily in this piece with haunting offstage entries. With cannon blasts provided by the timpani and huge ensemble moments contrasted with light, fleeting contributions from organ and gorgeous solo moments from Solo Horn offering moments of calm. It’s when the terror of war subsides, making way for a reflective final solo moment from the organ where we glimpse the subject of this piece — hope. A beautiful moment within a beautiful piece.”
Mange tak til Concord Brass Band, Stig Mærsk og Ben Attfield for denne smukke opførelse.
