The Wrestling Giants (close-up). Image Charlotte Malik

25th April sees the premiere of Monsters, the long awaited sequel to Ghosts and a major addition to the wind orchestra repertory

Commissioned by the Central Band of the RAF and the US Airforce Bands, Monsters is inspired by the Gardens of Bomarzo near Orvieto in Italy.

The Garden of Bomarzo near Rome were created by Duke Pier Francesco Orsini, patron of the arts who commissioned the bizarre sculptures starting in 1547.  Hidden in a wooded valley, the figures became forgotten and neglected for centuries until brought to wider attention again by surrealist Salvador Dali in 1938.  These nine movements depict both the romance and strangeness of the garden and sculptures hewn out the volcanic rock, and offer a musical glimpse into a fantastic world hidden for so long.

Pegasus the Winged Horse Image: Charlotte Malik

Monsters will also be performed at Sherborne Summer School of Music in August when Stephen McNeff will be Composer in Residence