About the piece....
King Arthur is the subject of many tales, stories, myths and legends – from his ascension to the throne by pulling the sword from
the stone, his courageous battles with his fellow Knights of the Round Table, to his ultimately tragic love for Guinevere.
The Legend of King Arthur is a musical portrayal of some of the most important moments in the legend.
The opening of the work – a rock inspired overture – is a reference to Arthur’s final resting place (at least, so some legends have
it!), the modern day Glastonbury (Avalon in the legend), and it is in this opening that we hear for Arthur’s theme.
This high octane opening gives way to a mysterious section – as Merlin (the mystical wizard) places in a stone a sword, upon
which was inscribed “Whoso pulleth out this sword of this stone is the rightwise born king of all England”. The music describes the
mystical surroundings as each of the contenders for the throne take their turn – to no avail – and with a return to the original theme,
we hear Arthur pull the sword from the stone, to become King of England.
Next we hear a depiction of Arthur’s greatest victory in battle - The Battle of Mount Badon. He finally defeated the Saxon invaders
of Britain – over 900 Saxons perished – and the victory brought about an extended period of peace. Arthur is portrayed as brave,
bold and confident as he and his Knights end years of invasion.
The penultimate section of the work tells the tale of Arthur’s tragic love for Guinevere – his traitorous wife, who through her infidelity
with Sir Lancelot (Arthur’s most trusted Knight), ultimately leads Arthur in to his final battle with his nephew, Mordred.
We hear the final bitter battle, which eventually ends with only Arthur and Mordred fighting. Arthur is wounded, fatally, by his
nephew –at which point we hear with a sudden and dramatic sounding of Arthur’s theme – and is taken to Avalon to die.
The Legend of King Arthur is dedicated to Michael Bach and Brass Band Bürgermusik Luzern, who commissioned the work.
May 2010
About the composer....
Peter Meechan, born January 29, 1980, in Nuneaton England, holds an undergraduate degree from the Royal Northern College of
Music, a Master of Arts degree and a PhD in composition, both from the University of Salford. In 2002 Peter became the first ever
'Young Composer in Association' with the prestigious Black Dyke Band for whom he later became 'Composer in Residence'
between 2006-2007.
The majority of his works have been written for wind and brass instruments, including solo unaccompanied works and
compositions for chamber ensembles. His music for brass bands has been performed at festivals and contests across the globe,
whilst his music for winds has been featured at festivals throughout Europe and North America, including the Midwest Clinic in
Chicago and at the BASBWE International Wind Festival.
Peter’s music has been extensively performed, recorded, broadcast and commissioned throughout the world by artists including:
Bramwell Tovey, Spanish Brass, Black Dyke Band, Steven Mead, Eastman Wind Ensemble, the RNCM Wind Orchestra, Kew
Wind Orchestra, The Band of the Coldstream Guards, Bones Apart Trombone Quartet, Jens Lindemann, Rex Richardson, David
Childs, David Thornton, Jacques Mauger, Clark Rundell, as well as many leading university wind ensembles in the USA. There are
currently over 40 commercial recordings of Meechan’s music.
Peter Meechan lives in Manchester, UK, with his wife Julie.
January 2011
For more information about Peter Meechan, please visit his website - www.petemeechan.com