ENCIERRO

At first listen, the piece charges forward with the chaos and thrill of Pamplona’s famous Running of the Bulls—hooves pounding, streets closing in, hearts racing. But just beneath that energy lies another layer, one not immediately spoken. Here, confinement is not just a wooden gate thrown open, but something older and more human. The music begins in tight spaces, bound by tension, until it gathers enough force to break.

Throughout Encierro, you’ll hear motion that refuses to be contained, rhythms that push against the walls, melodies that twist and rise, harmonies that find power in movement. Even moments of silence feel like breath being held, waiting for the next opening to run.

The pulse never settles. It remembers the weight of enclosure, but it does not stay there. The brass shouts, the percussion drives, and the winds move like voices once hushed now filling the air. While the piece portrays a physical chase, it leaves space for a deeper one, a flight from captivity, a reclaiming of direction.

Though crafted for intermediate ensembles, Encierro offers musical substance and emotional depth that upper-level bands will find both challenging and rewarding. This is not just a musical thrill, it is a journey of momentum, risk, and release.