Ceremonial
Ceremonial is written for orchestral brass section, with the addition of a euphonium. The piece is very triumphant, and most instruments play with unified rhythms throughout. This gives the music a sense of strength and nobility. The initial theme is carried by the trumpets in a fanfare-like style, and occasional time signature changes stop the rhythms from getting too static.
In the middle section, the harmony becomes more adventurous, with many modulations and jazzier chords. The horns briefly take over the melody, giving a welcome change of timbre. After a loud crescendo, there are stop-start staccato rhythms that give a punchy feel. The music then returns to the initial theme, this time in a different key, and with an altered melody. The piece ends at a slower speed, with the low brass accenting the second and fourth beats of each bar, while the theme is played grandly by the trumpets and horns.
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