Plus Ultra

Plus Ultra was commissioned by Brass Bands England for the Intermediate section of the 2015 National Youth Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.

Plus Ultra is based on the story of the ‘Twelve Labours of Hercules’. The myth tells that during the completion of the Tenth Labour, Hercules had to split a mountain apart in order to sail through into an unknown part of the world. By splitting the mountain, the Atlantic Ocean was able to flow into the Mediterranean Sea and formed the Straight of Gibraltar. One half of the split mountain became Gibraltar and the other Monte Hacho in Morocco. These two mountains have ever since been known as the Pillars of Hercules. The Pillars appear as supporters of the coat of arms of Spain. The motto Plus Ultra (Latin for further beyond) is closely associated with the Pillars of Hercules to mark the edge of the then known world. According to mythology, the pillars bore the warning "Non plus ultra" (nothing further beyond) serving as a warning to sailors and navigators to go no further.

The music in Plus Ultra depicts the struggle of the tenth labour; the dividing of the mountain, the mystery of what lies beyond the known world and the triumphant return of Hercules after completing the task.

Also available to purchase in print from

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Instrumentation:
Brass Band

Percussion (3 players):
Timpani (four drums)
Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Tam-tam, Cymbals, Triangle
Cymbals, Tambourine, Suspended Cymbal, Bass Drum, Glockenspiel, Triangle, Tam-tam