Heroes of the North was commissioned by Henning Annundsen for Skodvin Skulemusikk and pays tribute to
the development of brass band activity in the Nordhordland region of Norway.
The music is a set of character variations based upon personalities long associated with both the band and the
region. The opening 5 note motif (C D E F G) might be considered the starting point for beginner brass students,
and this mini-theme is developed throughout the work.
Following the introduction the first variation introduces Mr Brevik's Galop. Tom Brevik is a key figure in
Norwegian brass band music and I have known him for many years. In Tom I see an eternal optimist, always
smiling and always positive! The music similarly has an upbeat and playful character.
After an interlude featuring solo cornet, we come to Frode's Dance (with apologies to Edvard Grieg). Frode
Rydland is one of Skodvin Skulemusikk's most famous “old boys”, having been Eikanger Bjorsvik Band's legendary
Soprano Cornet player for many years. The variation features one of Frode's successors at Skodvin.
Eikanger Bjørsvik are of course not only one of Nordhordland's great bands but also of world class. I think of
Viggo Bjørge as “Mr Eikanger”, urbane and sophisticated, even “cool” (!) and in Mr Bjørge's Walk has also no
doubt taken the band's famous slow walk on the contest stage....
If Viggo can be considered Mr Eikanger then perhaps Knut-Harald Rydland is “Mr Skodvin Skulemusikk”, having
over many years played a central role in the teaching and training of the band. The fact that his name represented
in music permeates the work is no accident.
Maestro Snell's Russian Adventure features music with more than a hint of Russian (Khachaturian to be
precise) and calls to mind Howard Snell whose arrangements and presence have made such a huge contribution
to Norwegian Brass Banding over many years.
The music concludes with a reprise of the Hymn for Knut-Harald and the band in full voice.
Peter Graham
March 2018