The composer is very close to the commissioner of this work in several ways, making "By the River" a very personal and haunting work. The first part is of pastoral character and describes the rural nature of an industrial region. A dynamic allegro with an allusion to Leonard Bernstein follows in strong contrast. All sections of the modern concert band are challenged in "By the River", as well as the attention of the audience, if they want to capture all thematic and melodic elements of this vari...