Back to Normandy is a composition for concert band on the occasion of D-Day. On D-Day (June 6, 1944) the liberation of Western Europe started at the beach of Normandy. A long campaign through Europe followed before the liberation was complete. Back to Normandy describes the first hours of the landing with the shelling of the German positions as a (musical) peak. As an introduction you will see and hear de preperations for the biggest campaign ever. Very special and unique is the fact that the music of Back to Normandy can be performed synchronously with a movie with original footage, specially made for this composition. This will without a doubt be an extra experience for the audience. Look here: www.backtonormandy.org/av/video.html?videoid=JJfkRCRSS5I.
So far performances like this were exclusively for professional orchestras (like George Fenton, Earth). This piece is specially suitable for concert bands that want to offer their audience something special and also want to honour the liberators. The movie to practise for the concert is on Youtube (meassures and metronome are visible/audiblematen). Link
Other performances of this composition:
- USA: http://www.backtonormandy.org/music-and-film/860-back-to-normandy-played-in-michigan-usa.html
- Germany: http://www.backtonormandy.org/music-and-film/840-back-to-normandy-in-concert-in-germany.html
Sheetmusic: The composition 'Back to Normandy' is published by Molenaar Edition. Ordering of the sheet music: http://www.molenaar.com/web/Details.aspx?isartist=0&id=20042. See the score here: http://www.molenaar.com/files/pdf/01334607_mini_score.pdf
CD:Order the CD Back to Normandy, also with other music played by this Portuguese orchestra: http://www.molenaar.com/web/Details.aspx?isartist=0&id=20124
CONDUCTOR: Lt. Col. Élio Luís Salsinha Murcho
ORCHESTRA: Banda de Música da Força Aérea (Portuguese Air Force Band)
https://www.backtonormandy.org/download/music/files.html
Look at this demo to practice with on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOanr_Zja7k
