Music: Starburst

Composer, Rodney Newton, enthusiastically recommends Dan Price's 'epic' opener for band

Written in 2014 in response to a commission from Manchester Youth Band, this piece was inspired by an astronomical image of star formation, colossal explosions and spectacular nebulae.

It hits the ground running with a ‘dance-like’, syncopated melody, which forms the main thrust of the musical argument. The flugel horn contributes a lyrical answer and the two ideas combine in an energetic duologue. A solo cornet then introduces a nobler theme, which eventually combines with the ‘dance-like’ music, leading to an explosive finale.

This is epic stuff and, at just over four minutes, would provide an exciting concert ‘opener’ for bands from the Youth and 3rd sections upwards (I'd love to hear a top section band play it though!). Enthusiastically recommended.  

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