Loch Ness
Composed by Christophe Degousée, finalist of the CMF European Composition Contest for Brass Band 2024 in Valenciennes (France)

"Loch Ness" is a haunting piece of music that captures the mystical and enigmatic spirit of Scotland's famous lake. It consists of 4 movements: "Loch Ness", "Expedition Deepscan", "Nessie" and "Cherry Island".
-From the very first notes, you're plunged into a spellbinding atmosphere, evoking the mysterious tranquillity of Loch Ness. The introduction creates an almost unreal atmosphere, as if we were sailing through the morning mists that envelop the lake. The grandeur of the lake is finally revealed by a theme played by the Euphoniums.
-The 2nd movement refers to the lake's most famous search operation: Operation Deepscan. This operation was set up to use as much technology as possible to probe the lake for any signs of Nessie. For this theme the rhythm is much more dynamic and the theme shows the adventurous side of this expedition.
-We then move on to "Nessie", which evokes the legend of the sea monster. This theme is deliberately kept very soft to preserve its mystical feel. The solo flugelhorn, with its round, hushed timbre, conveys the mysterious, gentle aura of the legendary creature.
-Finally, floating on the water, we discover Cherry Island, the only piece of land in the middle of this giant lake. An ancient treasure created by man in prehistoric times. The theme is very festive and pays tribute to Scotland's distinctive style.