#180– January 02, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ao0DVz1vvI

Keystone, by French composer and conductor Thierry Deleruyelle is our Composition of the Week.

Keystone tells the story of the Odeon of Vriezenveen, a town in the Netherlands. “Odeon” is the name of ancient Greek and Roman buildings used for activities such as singing, music and poetry. This was the name chosen in 1998 by several members of the ‘Vriezenveense Harmonie’ for the cultural center they decided to build. The piece starts slowly with the bass instruments, then speeds up in a counterpoint passage where the main motif moves from one set of instruments to another. After a slower section, the music speeds up again to reach a majestic chorale symbolizing the splendid Odeon.” (Program notes by composer)

Keystone has a duration of 16’30 minutes and was published in 2022. It is scored for standard concert band setting.

Thierry Deleruyelle graduated from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris (CNSM) where he obtained degrees in percussion, harmony, counterpoint, fugue and forms, as well as in analysis and orchestration. He was also unanimously awarded postgraduate diplomas (DFS) in composition and percussion with distinction.

His compositions have allowed him to work with many renowned artists and for his work to be recorded on CD by orchestras in various countries. He has composed orchestral works (for symphony orchestra, wind and brass bands), chamber music and solo pieces. He won first prize at the international composition competitions of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux (France – 2005) and Haize Berriak (Spain – 2009).

A particular achievement is that he is the first French composer to have written the test piece for the 2016 European Brass Band Competition in the Championship division and, with his work Fraternity, the test piece for the 2017 British Open too. He is the winner of prizes decerned by 4barsrest: “Test piece of the year 2016 and 2017” (Fraternity) and “2016 – Newcomer of the Year”.

Other works for concert band include

  • The order of the temple (2008)
  • Atlas Symphony (2011)
  • Compostela, the way of St. James (2021)

More on Thierry Deleruyelle
http://www.thierrydeleruyelle.com