Circus Suite

CIRCUS SUITE was originally composed for flute (or oboe, bass clarinet, clarinet, bassoon or alto saxophone) and piano in 1992, especially for children. In 2004, an arrangement was made for woodwind quintet. In 2014, a version was composed for string orchestra and, in the same year, for four clarinets and bass clarinet. In 2022, Hannes Vanlancker made an arrangement for wind orchestra, especially for the 60th birthday of Wim Henderickx. There are five movements, each depicting a circus scene. In the introduction (part I), the listener is transported into a typical circus atmosphere. Part II features the jugglers and tightrope walkers (light and nimble). Then comes the animal tamer, a little mysterious and dangerous (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.