COMPOSER  : Derek Bourgeois

2025 Area Test Piece for Championship Section

This work was commissioned in1985 by Skellerup, Christchurch, New Zealand

Movements:

• Allegro Vivace
• Andante Con Moto Molto Expressivo
• Allegro Vivace

Derek Bourgeois wrote Diversions in the summer of 1985 to a commissioned from the Skellerup Brass Band.

Bourgeois previous test piece, Blitz, was aggressive and forceful, therefore the composer decided to write a work of a completely different character, which although technically very demanding, is light-hearted in style, and easy on the ear, as the title suggests.

The first and third movements share the same tempo, but are rather different in character. The first movement is a sonata allegro contrasting two main themes. The first is bold and jaunty and is heavily scored, the second announced by the solo horn is more lyrical in character. The development section and recapitulation are merged into a continuous interplay of the two themes.

The second movement is an expressive andante in free rondo form. It is lightly scored for the most part with a lot of solo passages that make demands on the musicianship of the players and conductor alike. The very simplicity of its textures and the breadth of its melodic writing demand firm control of vibrato, phrasing and rubato.

The brief finale is nothing short of a romp. Its ternary structure is highly rhythmic in character and only rarely do the performers enjoy the luxury of two consecutive bars in the same time signature!

Duration: 11.00