Bert Appermont

Jericho (Fanfarenorchester)

Jericho is the musical translation of the well-known story from the book of Joshua about the capture of the city of Jericho by the Israelites. Part 1 depicts the cruel journey through the desert to Canaan, the promised land. An emotional lamentation for the yearning for a home, for the end of a roaming existence. The capture of Jericho is the theme of part 2. The city cannot be captured immediately and Jehovah orders an impressive army to march around the city for six days. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times and the priests blew their trumpets and the people cried so loud that the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The Jews stormed the city and drove the inhabitants away. The music clearly reveals the marching army and you can hear the walls falling down with a tremendous noise. However, there is quite some artistic freedom in the actual story. A majestic and grand melody subsequently evokes the triumphant emotions that emerged as the fortified city fell (part 3). Following a personal and romantic interpretation, the scene ultimately ends in a typical Jewish feast (part 4) whereby the virtuosity of melodies played by the woodwinds and the passionate rhythms refer to traditional Jewish music. All themes are repeated in this last part in various forms, often simultaneous and in duelling counterpoint. The piece ends with fragments from the main theme of part 1 in major: peace and quiet return at last.