'A Brussels Requiem' for British Open
The set work for the 166th contest at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on Saturday 8 September,
will be 'A Brussels Requiem' by Belgian composer, Bert Appermont, published by Macon. Originally commissioned by Austrian band, Oberösterreich, it received its World première at the 2017 Oostende ‘European’. A newly-amended version will be performed by the British Open line-up, which this year includes defending champion, Valaisia from Switzerland and, for the first time at the ‘Open’, ‘European’, Norwegian, Brass in Concert and Siddis juggernaut - Eikanger-Bjørsvik.
'A Brussels Requiem' reflects on the tragic circumstances that arose from the series of terrorist attacks in the Belgian capital on 12 March 2016, when 32 people died and over 30 were injured. Cast in four interlinked movements entitled Innocence, In Cold Blood, In Memoriam - We Shall Rise Again and A New Day, the piece reflects on anger, grief and disbelief.
British Open Championship organisers, Martin and Karyn Mortimer, said that the 2018 test-piece choice reflects their aim of providing major works of outstanding quality for bands and audiences, commenting: “We are fully committed to maintaining the British Open at the forefront of world banding by embracing the growing number of challenging works being brought to contest stages from leading compositional talents.”
It is understood that Bert Appermont will be present at the 2018 British Open.
