A musical tribute to Jersey’s wartime story, composed by the grandson of islanders who lived through the Occupation, will be performed during this year’s Liberation Day celebrations.
La Ronde Concert Band will perform Liberation Square, written by London-based composer and trumpeter Roger Moisan, whose grandparents and wider family lived at L’Etacq and Noirmont Farm during the German Occupation.
Mr Moisan, who studied trumpet at Trinity College London and later became a judge for the BASCA Brass Band section of the Ivor Novello Awards, was inspired to write the piece following a visit to Jersey last June with his wife Sally.
While sitting in Liberation Square eating a Jersey ice cream and discussing his father Peter’s memories of Liberation Day in 1945, Mr Moisan reflected on his family’s connection to the island and decided: “Well, I think I should compose a piece of music to recount the story and it’s also the 80th anniversary!”
The work was premiered by Jersey Premier Brass in November before being specially arranged for concert band after encouragement from Mr Moisan’s cousin Fiona Speller, who plays oboe with La Ronde Concert Band.
Fiona explained that the piece begins with “a nice bright fanfare”, capturing the moment islanders first heard news of freedom and gathered at the harbour.
A slower section then recalls “the previous five years of hardship, suffering, loss, but particularly the grit, stoicism and resourcefulness of the islanders who survived with great, great dignity”.
Fiona said that the composition builds towards the arrival of Task Force 135 at the Pomme d’Or Hotel and the scenes of celebration as troops stepped onto the balcony to greet crowds gathered below.
La Ronde Concert Band will perform the piece in Liberation Square on Saturday 9 May in the presence of Mr Moisan, his wife and their three grown-up children.