Carnaval Dorado

Translated literally,  Carnaval Dorado  means ‘golden carnival’. Whilst composing this piece, I had in mind a marching carnival band that slowly forms out of the morning mist but then quickly starts marching with energy and purpose in the early sunshine. There is a brief siesta halfway through where the ‘band’ conserves its energy in the mid-day sun but soon the percussion section calls the band to attention and the band are once again on the move. To add to the carnival atmosphere, the piece also contains sections of collective improvisation and a clapped rhythm which is displaced across several sections of the band.

Carnaval Dorado  was a winning entry in the 2019 Foden’s Band/Love Music Trust Composers Competition and was given its premiere by the Foden’s Youth Band conducted by Mark Bousie at Clonter Opera Theatre on Saturday 22 ^nd  June 2019.

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Instrumentation:
Brass Band

Percussion (5 players):
Claves
Congas
Timbales
Bass Drum
Suspended Cymbal