Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

1 Full Score - 1 Piccolo - 4 Flute I - 4 Flute II - 1 Oboe I - 1 Oboe II - 1 English Horn - 1 Bassoon I - 1 Bassoon II - 1 Clarinet Eb - 5 Clarinet I - 5 Clarinet II - 5 Clarinet III - 1 Bass Clarinet - 2 Alto Saxophone I - 2 Alto Saxophone II - 1 Tenor Saxophone I - 1 Tenor Saxophone II - 1 Baritone Saxophone - 2 Trumpet I - 2 Trumpet II - 2 Trumpet III - 2 Trumpet IV - 1 Horn I Eb - 1 Horn I F - 1 Horn II Eb - 1 Horn II F - 1 Horn III Eb - 1 Horn III F - 1 Horn IV Eb - 1 Horn IV F - 2 Trombone I C - 1 Trombone I Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone I Bb (BC) - 2 Trombone II C - 1 Trombone II Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone II Bb (BC) - 2 Trombone III C - 1 Trombone III Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone III Bb (BC) - 2 Trombone IV C - 1 Trombone IV Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone IV Bb (BC) - 1 Euphonium C - 1 Euphonium Bb (BC) - 1 Euphonium Bb (TC) - 1 Euphonium II C - 1 Euphonium II Bb (BC) - 1 Euphonium II Bb (TC) - 1 Euphonium III C - 1 Euphonium III Bb (BC) - 1 Euphonium III Bb (TC) - 2 Bas Bb (TC) - 2 Bas Bb (BC) - 2 Bas Eb (TC) - 2 Bas Eb (BC) - 4 Tuba C - 1 Stringbass - 1 Cello - 3 Percussion - 1 Mallets - 1 Timpani

In the Ancient World the seven most beautiful monuments were called 'The seven Wonders of the World'. In his Symphony nr.1, The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World' the young Dutch composer Alex Poelman has made a musical portrait of these splendid human realizations which are now, but for one, all destroyed. The symphony is masterly and lavishly orchestrated and portrays both the power of the sovereigns of ancient times and the splendour of the most beautiful buildings and works of art they have had built. Moreover, neither the seducing Eastern charm nor the mysterious exotic atmosphere are failing.

Alex Poelman (Arnhem, 1981) studied informatics at the Twente University and plays French horn in several top amateur bands. Under the guidance of David Rowland he wrote his first composition for wind band 'Volcano'. This was followed by 'Theseus', 'Symphony nr. 1 'The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World', 'D-Day' and 'Aquila Chrysaetos'. This symphony was premiered on 28 May 2004 at Enschede. One year later, it was recorded on CD by the new Dutch military band KMKJWF conducted by Norbert Nozy.

V. THE HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON: Babylon, a city on the banks of the river Euphrates in ancient Mesopotamia was flourishing under the reign of King Nabuchodonosor II (6th century B.C.) The Greek historian Herodotus (ca 484-425 B.C.) described the splendour and luxury of this city with, among others, the famous Ishtar Gate and the fabulous “hanging gardens” often attributed to Semiramis, the legendary queen of Assyria and Babylon.

VI. THE LIGHTHOUSE OF ALEXANDRIA: The isle of Pharos, near the Egyptian city of Alexandria on the Nile delta, was linked to the continent by a 13000 m long mole in 285 B.C. Sostrates of Knidos built a 180 m high white marble tower on it. On top of the tower two fires were kept burning at night, in order to guide the ships. It was destroyed by an earth quake in 1302.

VII. THE COLOSSUS OF RHODOS: In the 3rd century B.C. the seaport town of Rhodos on the Greek island of the same name was very flourishing. In order to commemorate a victory against Demetrios Piorcetos, a huge bronze statue of the sun god Helios was erected in the harbour in 280 B.C. The statue, made by the sculptor Khares, was 35 m high and the ships had to pass between the statue’s legs to enter or leave the harbour. The colossus was destroyed by an earth quake in 224 B.C.

With this beautiful original symphony, Alex Poelman has, no doubt, enriched the better concert repertoire for symphonic band.