European Testpiece 2000 - Championship Section.

The hymn tune on which these variations are based is the third of nine that Thomas Tallis wrote in 1567 as part of a psalter for the first Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Matthew Parker. It was later used by Vaughan Williams in the English Hymnal and as the basis for his Fantasia.

After a turbulent introduction, the first half of the theme is stated by the middle of the band. Variation 1 (bar 31) is based on the first two notes of the theme, exploring the E minor tonality with repeated semiquaver activity.
Variation 2 (bar 134) contains a gentle solo for flugel horn and a varied statement of the theme in chorale form.
Variation 3 (bar 211) starts with a series of short solos before a serene melody appears on cornet. The theme then appears, reharmonised, before the variation closes peacefully. The final variation (bar 262) is ebullient in character, starting with cornet fanfares, and evolves around a fugue-like theme first presented by the euphoniums. Eventually music from Variation 1 returns to herald the final, fiery statement of the theme, accompanied by figures from the fugue. But the piece ends quietly, the serene beauty of the Tallis chorale unshakeable.