Concert Band

Orient Express

Grade 5 | 8 Mins

The BBC commissioned Orient Express in 1986 as its entry in the EBU New Music for Band Competition, where it won first prize.

In an attempt to find a pan-European subject, the composer chose the luxury train and the piece is a musical journey across Europe.

It opens with the hustle and bustle of a busy station and at last the train gets underway. A short moment of reflection leads back to the final stage of the journey and arrival at our final destination.