Alvamar Overture アルヴァマー序曲 -James Barnes-

March 23, 2025
Performed by Japanese high school students.

"Alvamar Overture" was composed by James Charles Barnes for a select brass band from a public middle school participating in a music festival in Kansas in 1981. The title "Alvamar" comes from the name of the golf course Barnes played at.
The recording of "Alvamar Overture" that was introduced to Japan was a performance by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, recorded on the LP "Wind Band Competition Free Piece Collection '82". In this recording, the tempo was around ♩＝160, instead of the specified tempo of ♩＝132, and this fast tempo of "Alvamar Overture" was popular in Japan at the time. When Barnes heard this super-speed performance during his visit to Japan, he was astonished and said, "It's too fast!"
The first theme begins with a woodwind melody line, interjected by a trumpet. The instrument playing the melody changes, and the percussion rhythm propels the piece forward.
In the middle section, trumpets and woodwinds play a beautiful melody, which combines with counter melodies and enveloping accompaniment to create a warm harmony.
As the middle section ends, the percussion gradually crescendos and the beginning is repeated.
After the entire orchestra plays the expansive first theme, the climax sees the woodwinds play a variation of the first theme in a fast passage in the background, while the brass section plays the moving melody in the middle section. This masterpiece, which displays the genius and skill of James Barnes, one of America's leading composers, is so captivating that it makes you want to play and listen to it, and you can enjoy it with the rich sound of the brass band.