‘Spirit of Independence’ was commissioned by the Koninklijke Fanfare ‘Onafhankelijkheid’ (‘Independence’) from Wiekevorst (Belgium) on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The piece depicts an enthusiastic amateur music club practicing and making music together in an attentive and companionable atmosphere. The conductor has the good habit of trying to improve the sound of the fanfare by means of practicing chorales and hymns. Jan Van der Roost has used these facts in the dynamic concert piece ‘Spirit of Independence’: a chorale-like middle section is surrounded by music bubbling full of energy.
