Tarsena Suite

Tarsena is a suite in four movements representing four keypoints in the dockyard’s history.  Tarsena Suite was chosen as one of the best four new compositions for wind band in a national competition organized by the Cottonera Foundation and Għaqda Nazzjonali Każini tal-Banda.

The first movement is called “The dockyard during the times of the Knights of St. John”. It starts softly to regenerate Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, the fishermen’s village, had already a small dock for ship repairs which was called Tarsena as documented in the first known documentation in the 14th century. The Knights invested in the small dockyard and built a larger one for ship building and repairs to their flock which is represented with a steady rythmn and a solid melody throughout the movement.

The second movement is called, “The reform of the dockyard during the British period and the world wars”. This movement is divided into three parts. The first part represents the heavy investment done and the reallocation of the dockyard towards Bormla and Isla, also known as Cospicua and Senglea, during the world war one. Even though they were tough times, Malta’s dockyard flourished with workforce and it was working full on, but when the war was finished many jobs were lost. The second part of the movement starts with a discorded fanfare which leads to the second world war, where Cottonera together with the capital city Valletta where heavily bombed. This is represented with the various chromatic scales on the high winds and the trombones mimicking air raids. The energetic but menacing melody and rhythms represent the war and its brutality, which then calms down with distinct echoes of bombs by the percussion, as the solo clarinets show time of peace but despair.

The Third movement is called “Tragedies and deaths in the dockyard”. Many deaths and tragedies had occurred both during the war and after, some of which are still well in our memories. This movement is an elegy to these victims which is represented with a funeral March tempo as played in Maltese traditional style. The end of this movement is solemn and ends with a lonely struck of the bells to symbolize a moment of silence.

The fourth movement, titled “The dockyards being taken away from the heart of the Cottonera”. This movement has two distinct meanings. The first is the physical removal of the dockyard and the second is the loss of employment due to the changes done on it, but the memories are still cherished by all the people who worked there and their families. The subtle yet gentle ending, which sadly represents the loss of such an accomplished dockyard, still leaves the well-cherished memories while reminding us of the losses it brought with it.

Parts included:

Piccolo,  Flute, Oboe, Eb Clarinet, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Horn in F, 1st & 2nd Trumpets, Bb Baritone (treble clef), Euphonium (bass clef), 1st & 2nd Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Timpani, & Percussion which includes, Symphonic Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tenor Drum, Tubular Bells, Cymbals, & Tam Tam

(Additional Parts: Bassoon, Flugelhorn)

Terms & Conditions For Maltese Wind Bands

Make sure to read the Store Policies (especially point 4 and 14) if purchasing this piece to be performed or kept by a Maltese Wind Band.

When purchasing this music to be performed, rehearsing, or even to be kept by a Maltese Wind Band or Society, make sure to contact the composer before committing to purchase.