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Concord Band commission
(1999)
Stephen Bulla, composer
The Concord Band is perhaps best known for its long history of commissioning
major new works for concert band.
In the 40th anniversary concert on March 6, 1999, the band was proud to
present the premiere performance of our newest commission, North Bridge
Portrait, by composer Stephen Bulla.
The work is based on authentic musical themes of the American Revolutionary
period.
Describing his newest work for band, Bulla writes,
"This descriptive fantasia for band seeks to portray an historical picture
through music of this important locale, where the first shot of the American
revolution rang out in 1775.
A slow and ominously quiet introductory section leads to a brisk sea
chantey-like tune, depicting the busy lifestyle of the Colonists.
The music then slows and an expressive setting of William Billings’ song
America is developed and incorporated into the musical tapestry as
a tribute to the New England composer’s work.
The music concludes with a dramatic recreation of the famous first shot that
led the country to war (this time fired by the percussion section) along with
a rousing setting of Washington’s March, a popular song of that
day."
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