Romantic, flexible piece portraying the history and grandeur of the famous castle.
[Part 1] Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in Eb, Bb Clarinet, Bb Soprano Saxophone, Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Trumpet, Bb Cornet, Eb Cornet
[Part 2] Flute, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Trumpet, Bb Cornet
[Part 3 (optional)] Bb Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Cornet, Bb Flugelhorn, F Horn, Eb Alto Horn
[Part 4] Bassoon, Bb Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Bb Flugelhorn, F Horn, Eb Alto Horn, Trombone, Euphonium
[Part 5] Bassoon, Bb Clarinet, Bb Tenor Saxophone, F Horn, Trombone, Euphonium
[Part 6 (optional)] Bassoon, Bb Bass Clarinet, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Eb Baritone Saxophone, Trombone, Euphonium
[Part 7] Bassoon, Bb Bass Clarinet, Eb Baritone Saxophone, Bass Trombone, Tuba, String Bass
[Percussion 1 (optional)] Timpani, Suspended Cymbal
[Percussion 2 (optional)] Glockenspiel, Hi-hat Cymbal
"Neuschwanstein Castle" (Schloss Neuschwanstein) is located in Southern Germany.
"Schloss" means castle, "neu" is new, "schwan" is swan, and "stein" means stone. So, it means New Swan Stone Castle. It is a romantic, fairy-tale like castle and was a model for Disneyland's Cinderella Castle.
The palace was commissioned by King Ludwig II of 19th Century Bavaria. By pursuing this dream castle he longed for since childhood, the King's wishes and demands grew during its construction, and so did the expenses. He was deposed due to accumulating debt and increasing criticism. He died under mysterious circumstances in the shallow shore of Lake Starnberg near the castle. Ironically, his beloved castle gained popularity and became one of the leading tourist sites of Germany.
The work's introduction shows castle construction filled with hope and grandeur. The next section regards losing his throne. In his sorrow, he dies mysteriously. The climax portrays the great castle being loved by the masses. It's written for flexible 5-7 and optional percussion. It can be played in settings such as brass ensemble, woodwind ensemble, brass band, and small band. When part 1 is played by Trumpet, the highest note Es (fa) is not challenging. The optional percussion 1 is Timpani and Suspended Cymbal, which can be played by one person.
(Hayato Hirose)
