Anterra

"Anterra" by Pavel Stanék was a commissioned composition and was specially conceived as a so-called "hour choir". As a result, the composition is subject to somewhat stricter requirements in order to meet the evaluation criteria in competitions. Duration, degree of difficulty, dynamics, intonation, articulation, interaction, overall impression, etc. are very important.

"Anterra" is a three-part composition, the first part of which is based on a basso ostinato, the basso continuo. After 8 bars another theme sounds in the shining brass, which is dramatized by the entry of the bass instruments with timpani and large drum. A soft theme in flugelhorn and wood forms the contrast. The rhythmic accompaniment is provided by a small drum and congas. The theme in the brass resounds again, with strong interjections in the tubes, large drum and timpani. This is followed by the transition to the variation of the second theme. One last time the theme sounds in the brass with repeated dramatic interjections, then it modulates to the slow middle part cantabile espressivo. This calm melody (usually conducted on 2) rises first to a small and shortly afterwards to a larger climax, before slowly ending in a small coda in the piano. The third part brings a shortened repetition of the first part, but what is new is the rhythmic enrichment of the second theme with moving bass. Finally, it comes to an increase crescendo e accelerando up to the coda and "Anterra" ends in an impressive fortissimo.