Circus Suite

CIRCUS SUITE for flute (or bassoon or alto saxophone) and piano was composed in 1992, especially for children. Later versions were written for oboe and piano and for clarinet (or bass clarinet) and piano. In 2004, Wim Henderickx made an arrangement for woodwind quintet. In 2014, a version for string orchestra and four clarinets and bass clarinet was also released, and in 2022, Hannes Vanlancker made an arrangement for wind orchestra, especially for Wim Henderickx's 60th birthday. The composition consists of five movements, each depicting a circus scene. The introduction (part I) transports the listener into a typical circus atmosphere. Movement II features the jugglers and tightrope walkers (light and nimble). Then the animal tamer, a little mysterious and out for danger (part III), the acrobats and clowns, agile and funny respectively (part IV), and finally the parade where all the artists appear before the audience once more (part V). This is unpretentious music that seeks to stimulate the imagination of children and adults alike.