[#295] March 17, 2025
1989 | Concert Band | Grade 5 | 20’ | Tone Poem
Premiered on Oct 01, 1989 in Uster, Switzerland
Atmospheres, by British composer John Golland is our Composition of the Week.
Atmospheres was composed for the “Uster Musiktage” and was first performed in Uster (Switzerland) on October 1st, 1989.
“The idea for the music comes from the thought that whilst a room remains the same, somehow the “atmosphere” within that room changes according to the ambiance created by actions and emotions of the people in it. For example, an argument can cause an uncomfortable, uneasy atmosphere whereas laughter can cause a light, happy atmosphere in the same place. The place itself remains the same, but the atmosphere changes. So, in this piece there is an “atmosphere” chord, which hardly changes throughout the piece, except that it is transposed at times. However, what goes on around that chord causes it to apparently change according to the prevailing emotion.”
Program Notes from publisher.
Atmospheres is structured in three, uninterrupted movements.
1.Mystery; 2. Evil; Calm
It is scored for large concert band, including 3 cornet parts, 3 trumpet parts, string bass as well as 5 percussion parts.
It has a duration of about 20 minutes, and it is available at Molenaar Edition.
John Golland was educated at de La Salle College, Salford, England, and from 1960 he attended teacher training college in Oldham. He also studied part time at the Royal Manchester College of Music, with Thomas Pitfield (composition) and Marjorie Clementi (piano). In 1964 he became a music teacher at St Anselm's School, Oldham.
After joining the Stalybridge Band in the 1960s, Golland learned to play the euphonium and began to compose and arrange for brass band and wind band. From 1970 he became a full-time composer and musical director of various bands, including the Adamson Military Band, Fodens and the W. Harrison Transport Rockingham Band.
From 1975 he often conducted and wrote for bands in Switzerland.
He is most famous for his works for brass band, such as Sounds, Peace, Rêves d'Enfant, his two euphonium concerti and a flugelhorn concerto.
He also composed incidental music for the 1983-84 BBC sitcom Dear Ladies.
Other winds for band include:
· The Lonely Sea and Sky, Rhapsody for Brass Band, Op.8 (1967)
· Rêves d’Enfants, Op.68 Fantasy on Swiss Themes for Brass or Wind Band (1968)
· Sounds, Op. 37, Study for Brass Band (1973 – 1974)
· Peace, Op.48 for Euphonium and Brass Band, 1973.
· Concerto for Tuba, Op.46 (for Brass or Wind Band), 1976
· Concerto N°1 for Euphonium and Brass Band (or) Wind Band, Op.64
More on John Golland’s music