Eastwind

To compose “Eastwind”, Jean-François Michel took his inspiration from the rich musical folklore of the gypsies who have developed many different styles all over the Balkan and the East-European countries where they have settled. These folk tunes navigate freely between major and minor modes, between wild dances and sorrowful cantinelas, irresistibly bewitching the sad or happy souls of the listener. “Eastwind” was first performed July 2, 2012 for the opening of the 61st Festival of Ljubljana, in Slovenia, by the Brass Ensemble (4 trumpets and 4 trombones) of the Slokar Academy and the soloists, Franc Kosem, trumpet, and Branimir Slokar, trombone. The two solo parts have been written for solo trumpet in C and trombone and later, for the comfort of the soloists, edited and slightly modified to accommodate the idiomatic particularities of the B-flat cornet (or trumpet) and euphonium. The solo parts are available in the following versions to enable the players to perform the piece with three different accompaniments: 1) C-trumpet and trombone bass clef for the brass ensemble version with 4 trumpets and 4 trombones (ENS215d); 2) B flat cornet or trumpet and euphonium in treble or bass clefs and trombone in treble clef for the version with brass band (ENS215b/c) 3) All of the different solo parts are included and offered for the choice of the performers with the piano accompaniment version (ENS215a).