"Sound in Union" was commissioned by the municipality of Küssaberg on the High Rhine (Germany) to the Austrian composer Thomas Asanger. It was ceremonially premiered on June 17, 2023, as part of a joint concert by the three music associations of the municipality.

STEPS AHEAD is a commissioned composition by the Hilbern Music Association (Upper Austria) on the occasion of the opening of their new rehearsal venue. The Hilbern Music Association is not only a musically highly committed ensemble, but has also been known for many years – internationally as well – for impressive shows in the field of marching. The composition STEPS AHEAD attempts to bring the defining characteristic of "marching" into harmony with the demands of symphonic wind music. Musically, this comes to the fore in the composition through the use of elements of march music, which are artfully presented as a spirited and entertaining concert work.

A CHILDREN’S ADVENTURE describes an adventure in a robber's cave. The so-called “Ratgöbluckn” in Perg is known as the largest accessible Erdstall (subterranean tunnel system) in Upper Austria. The Erdstall features a branched chamber system connected by short passages, with a total length of 106 meters. Two seating niches invite visitors to linger; furthermore, there are 19 smaller niches that can serve as excellent hiding places for children at play. Not least because of its labyrinthine layout, the Erdstall offers a welcome adventure for children of all ages. A CHILDREN’S ADVENTURE is a commissioned work for the Leben.Blasmusik.Festival of the Upper Austrian Brass Music Association.

Deep Harmony is a plain and simple chorale that can be used for warm-up purposes as part of sound development for wind orchestras, or as a moment of calm in a concert. The piece has already been published in several editions for various ensembles. This arrangement can be performed by a full wind orchestra as well as by many smaller ensembles.

HOAMATLAND is a march in the traditional style. It is dedicated to the Stadtkapelle Perg, Thomas Asanger's home band. The trio includes the first verse of the Upper Austrian regional anthem. The trio can be either played or sung. An ideal ode to a beautiful homeland!

JEDEM ANFANG EIN ZAUBER (MAGIC IN EVERY BEGINNING) refers to Hermann Hesse's famous poem "Stufen" (Stages). Hesse reminds us that every new beginning holds a magic that protects us and helps us to live. This choral piece for wind orchestra musically takes up this idea: a contemplative sound world unfolds in calm, sustained lines, allowing space for reflection – but also for hope, courage, and curiosity for what is to come. The simple, hymnal character invites pause and allows the music to become an inner mirror for all the transitions that life holds.

FANFARE FOR A CENTURY was commissioned on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Musikverein Arbing and premiered on March 15, 2025. The composition was donated by Fürholzer Hoch- und Tiefbau GesmbH. The history of the Musikverein is rich in tradition. It is lived in many different ways

“The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond” is a Scottish traditional song. The song tells of “Loch Lomond”, Scotland’s largest loch by area at 71 square kilometres, and the largest in the whole of Great Britain. The “bonnie banks” refer to the loch’s distinctive, beautiful shores.

"Schabanack" tells the story of a lively two-year-old boy who keeps his family on their toes with all kinds of jokes and pranks. From the very first notes, the listener is led onto thin ice. A recurring rhythmic motif immediately makes us stumble and suggests that a new trick is hidden behind every note. With a childlike, playful theme, the little rascal thumbs his nose at us and disappears as quickly as he arrived. Yet he also has another, calmer side, revealed in a wonderfully dreamy middle section. Or is it merely the calm before the storm, in which new pranks are already being devised? The answer is probably known to only one person …

The Baden-Württemberg district of Unterkochen owes its name, for historical reasons, to the so-called Kocherburg. The combination of historical and contemporary significance is expressed in the composition "Aura Castrum". Some melodies may evoke the medieval era, while others give voice to the charismatic allure of this wonderful place. "Aura Castrum" was commissioned from the Austrian composer Thomas Asanger on the occasion of the Music Association Unterkochen’s 75th anniversary and premiered in 2023.

On the occasion of the 1,200th anniversary of its first documentary mention, Thomas Asanger was commissioned by the market town of Gunskirchen to compose a work that addresses the various facets of the town's history and present. Due to the multitude of events, the composition can naturally only offer a selection of themes. When narrating history, it is always decisive where the "Headlights" are directed. It is, of course, no longer possible to represent it in its entirety. Throughout the piece, various perspectives are adopted, from which several highlights from the past and present will resonate.

“Remembrance” endeavors to musically connect history and the present, thereby uniting historical sounds with modern, symphonic elements. Throughout the composition, the renowned Austrian traditional march is partially quoted multiple times. The work thus also honors Gustav Mahler's universally known motto, who said: “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the passing on of the fire.”

Locus iste ("This place") are the opening words of the Latin motet for four-part mixed choir a cappella by Anton Bruckner. The work is considered an absolute classic in choral circles and is part of the standard repertoire of every choir worldwide. Bruckner composed the piece in 1869 for the dedication of the Votive Chapel in the New Cathedral in Linz. In 2024, the state of Upper Austria celebrates the 200th anniversary of Anton Bruckner's birth. With this arrangement, Thomas Asanger has created a touching adaptation for wind orchestra.

Discoveria describes the first months of a child's life. It is remarkable that human beings make their greatest developmental strides precisely during the first months and years of life. This can be attributed to curiosity and the will to discover. Particularly noteworthy in this context is the determination with which young children realize their intentions, whether it be reaching seemingly unreachable objects in a room or taking their first steps, which babies accomplish as early as one year of age—always sustained by the will not to be discouraged by setbacks. Discoveria is dedicated to Tobias Nikolaus, the composer's son.

"Barcelona" is a single by Queen singer Freddie Mercury and opera soprano Montserrat Caballé. Mercury had long been a fan of opera and particularly of Montserrat Caballé. In 1986, he mentioned on Spanish television that he would like to meet her, and in February 1987 they met for the first time in Barcelona. Later, when the city was selected to host the 1992 Summer Olympics, Caballé, a native Spaniard, was asked to assist in producing a song for the Games. Thomas Asanger created a wonderful arrangement of the song for wind orchestra, in which the vocal parts are optional. Our recording does not include vocals.

The term “star gazer” is commonly used to describe infants who are born in the so-called “posterior occipital position.” Most babies are positioned head-down for birth; in a “star gazer” position, however, the infant is not facing downward but upward—looking toward the stars.

At celebrations and festive occasions, a specific dress code is often expected. These are often unspoken rules and guidelines for attire. Sometimes it is not clear which dress code applies.

In a joint statement in the specialist magazine "Bioscience", over 11,000 scientists from 153 countries declare a global climate emergency. Amidst discussions surrounding a political solution, young activist Greta Thunberg has succeeded in awakening the world to combat climate change.

"Festivations" is an effective opening piece at a lower difficulty level, composed in a classical three-part song form. The emotional middle section of the composition is particularly characteristic, demanding passionate tones from the musicians.

“From Cradle to Grave” (German: “From the Cradle to the Grave”) is a commissioned work by the Längenfeld Music Band in Tyrol to mark its 185th anniversary, premiered on April 12, 2020, under the direction of bandmaster Florian Klotz.

The Clarinet Muckl is a folk melody that already exists in many different versions for solo instruments and wind orchestra. Thomas Asanger has now newly arranged the Clarinet Muckl for tuba and wind orchestra.

The concert march "In vino veritas" was composed in 2019 and is dedicated to the Gmeiner Winery from Perg in Upper Austria. The Latin phrase, which translates to "In wine there is truth," is attributed to the historian Tacitus, who described how Germanic tribes practiced wine drinking during council meetings to ensure resistance against lies.

The composition City, Country, River was commissioned in 2018 by the Schwertberg Music Association to mark its 150th anniversary and premiered on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the Volksheim Schwertberg.

Solution is a commissioned composition by the Kremsmünster Music Association, commissioned for its 200th anniversary and premiered on April 13, 2019.

In this composition, the historically significant anthems of Austria—the Imperial Anthem, the Austrian Federal Anthem, and the Anthem of Europe—are quoted in a creative manner.

The poem Down by the Salley Gardens by William Butler Yeats is the literary basis for the popular Irish folk song of the same name.

The eponymous composition describes the multifaceted characteristics of a quadruped — sometimes very calm and contemplative, and at other times playful and boisterous.

Elton Hercules John was born on March 25, 1947, in England as Reginald Kenneth Dwight. Sir Elton John is one of the best-selling artists of all time.

"Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You" is a song by composers Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin. Thomas Asanger created an arrangement for solo trumpet and wind orchestra.

Cyber Walk is a piece for youth orchestra and describes the fascination the Internet holds, especially for children and teenagers. Aside from the negative aspects of the Internet, a "Cyber Walk" opens up new opportunities for young people for exciting leisure activities as well as for acquiring knowledge for school and life.

Festival Sounds was commissioned in 2017 by the State Police Orchestra of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Germany) on the occasion of its 70th anniversary and premiered on May 4, 2018, under the direction of Chief Conductor Christof Koert.

The emergence of a new life holds a particular fascination for us. Even before arriving in this world, parents develop a special bond with their (yet unborn) children, a connection that will unite them throughout their shared lives.

The Concertino for Clarinet and Wind Orchestra was composed for clarinetist Judith Durstberger on the occasion of the St. Cecilia Concert of the Stadtkapelle Perg and premiered on November 19, 2016, in Perg (Upper Austria) under the direction of composer Thomas Asanger.

The composition was commissioned by the Bläserphilharmonie Osttirol under their chief conductor Lukas Hofmann and premiered on March 2, 2013, in Lienz. It depicts the legend of "The Dolomite Crown," which is of great significance to East Tyrol.

Sympatria was commissioned by the Upper Austrian Brass Music Association through Federal Conductor Walter Rescheneder. It was nominated as the compulsory piece for the "Best of Blasmusik" competition final on November 19, 2017, held in the Great Hall of the Brucknerhaus Linz, with a focus on traditional music.

The song "You are so Beautiful" was composed by Billy Preston (1946-2006) and Bruce Fisher (*1954). It was first recorded by Preston, but only became truly successful through Joe Cocker's (1944-2014) popularization of it.

Jubilant Music is a commissioned work by the Musikverein Offenhausen (Upper Austria) for its 160th anniversary, premiered on September 22, 2012.

Each year, Vienna hosts the so-called “Ball of Upper Austrians”. The ball is one of Austria’s largest traditional costume events. For this occasion, Thomas Asanger composed an opening piece, which was performed on 22 January 2011 at the Austria Center Vienna before more than 5,000 listeners.

The concert march The Unicorn (German: The Unicorn) is a tribute to the hometown of Austrian composer Thomas Asanger.

Movements was commissioned by the company Hödlmayr International for the 2016 District Festival of the Upper Austrian Brass Band Association. The world premiere was performed by the Upper Austrian State Youth Brass Band, conducted by the composer, at the Brucknerhaus Linz (Upper Austria).

With his composition "A Sign for Freedom – Ein Zeichen für die Freiheit" (Hymn for Wind Orchestra), the young Austrian composer Thomas Asanger creates a musical statement for peace and freedom.

Austrian composer Thomas Asanger chose the title Break-Up! for his captivating opening work in the RUNDEL eXplora series. This piece was the set work for the Austrian Youth Orchestra Competition in category CJ.

The river god "Danuvius" is the namesake for the delightful fanfare by Upper Austrian composer Thomas Asanger. He is also the namesake of the Danube, Europe's second-longest and largest river.

"Flowing Borders" translates to "Fließende Grenzen" in German. The composition of the same name addresses not only the physical separation of the former border town of Riedau (Upper Austria) by a river, the Pram, but also the brotherly and solidary unity of this community.

Wind music is experiencing a major boom in Europe. Musicians are not only serving voluntarily by helping to shape public celebrations with their music, but they also gain essential social impulses for their own lives.

Saint Cecilia is a gripping choral fantasy that, through its free, rhapsodic form, places the emotional and expressive impact of the musical idea at its center.

An Austrian Elegy was composed on commission from Karl Leitner of Pabneukirchen in Upper Austria, dedicated to the local Goldhauben group, and premiered on August 18, 2013 by the Pabneukirchen Music Association.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band founded in Los Angeles in 1983. Two of the founding members, Anthony Kiedis (vocals) and Flea (bass guitar), are still part of the band.

The acronym CMYK stands for a color model that forms the technical basis for all modern four-color printing. It embodies the three color components Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and the black component Key for color depth.

The first major and successful hit by the American singer and songwriter Billy Joel (May 9, 1949) was "Piano Man". It tells the story from the perspective of the lyrical first-person narrator, a bar pianist who is repeatedly encouraged by the audience present to sing.

In aller Kürze was composed in 2014 on behalf of the RUNDEL music publishing house and was designed from the outset as a sight-reading piece for the Biberach district association competitions in Ellwangen (Baden-Württemberg).

Pythagoras was an ancient Greek philosopher, mathematician, and musician, as well as the founder of an influential religious-philosophical movement. Based on his most famous achievement, the Pythagorean theorem (a²+b²=c²), this concert march attempts to translate this highly complex mathematical formula into a simple musical form.

Crazy Tongues (for soloists and wind orchestra) was commissioned by Honorary Chairman Franz Baumann for the Stadtkapelle Perg and premiered on 23 November 2013 under the composer’s direction. The piece can be performed by several soloists.

Pilot Walter Vogler was the namesake for Upper Austria's largest barracks, home to the Upper Austrian Military Band. On June 15, 1935, Vogler enabled two crew members to bail out of a burning aircraft. He sacrificed his life to steer the aircraft away from the Wels urban area.

At 3,798 meters, it is not only Austria’s highest mountain but also one of the most imposing peaks in the Eastern Alps: Großglockner. Time and again, inexperienced climbers attempt the ascent of Austria’s best-known mountain. The main causes cited for 1,407 fatalities in Austria’s alpine terrain between 2000 and 2007 are, above all, inexperience and overconfidence. Sudden changes in the weather also prove fatal for some climbers due to the summit’s exposed location. Großglockner presumably takes its name from the Old Slovene word “Klek,” one of the most common terms for a pointed peak. The present composition is based on a cantus firmus derived from the Austrian folk song “In die Berg bin i gern,” which runs through the entire piece and comes to the fore in various forms—just as Großglockner presents itself in different guises, making it one of the most diverse worlds Austria has to offer.

Utopia is a distant, never quite attainable island, a no-place where we establish an ideal society. Our unfulfilled wishes and disappointed hopes find a reconciled home there.

“Blue Hole” describes the myth surrounding one of the world’s most spectacular dive sites off the coast of the Central American state of Belize. According to divers’ accounts, at a depth of around 140 m there is an underground wonderland of stalactite caves, once flooded by rising sea levels.

Let us transport ourselves back to the era of courtly love and reflect on the inherent value of music: it fosters social entertainment. Without music, there are no festivities. Furthermore, it is not a highly stylized art form, but rather a craft. The goal of the minnesingers is to entertain the audience.

The “Concertino for Trombone and Wind Orchestra” was composed for trombonist Raphael Trautwein on the occasion of the 20th anniversary and commissioned by the Gmunden District Youth Orchestra (Upper Austria).

Ingeborg Bachmann’s 1957 text moves and inspires through its apparent simplicity. The great flood is over, the catastrophe past. Yet the world remains wounded. If there were no hope, we would long since have sunk into the sea: into seas of impatience, speechlessness, and hatred, and into the shallows of violence, greed, and indifference. All hope rests on the dove—the symbol of peace, the sign of the Holy Spirit, a metaphor for purity and freedom. If it did not fly out and, at last, bring back the leaf, we would all be lost. Which leaf it brings, however, remains open: perhaps it is the leaf of lush meadows, which secures the continuation of life and thus of humankind. But one might also think of a blank leaf, a sheet of paper on which our history and culture are recorded— a leaf that nourishes us, our body and our soul—perhaps a sheet of music.

Caresse is an ode to music. Since early childhood, the composer Thomas Asanger, born in Austria in 1988, has been in close contact with music. From the very beginning of his musical work in and with music, he has had a special connection to it—one that resonates deeply with many music lovers.

Freedom of the Seas – that is the name of the world's second-largest passenger ship. It is 339 meters long, 56 meters wide, and offers space for over 4,000 guests in 1,800 cabins across 15 passenger decks, attended to by around 1,400 crew members. The composition of the same name explores the emotions and dreams of a Caribbean cruise.

Perhaps no natural phenomenon on Earth is more imposing than the Grand Canyon. It reveals unimagined views into deep canyons and gorges that have been carved into the rock of the Colorado Plateau by the mighty force of the Colorado River over millions of years.

"La Festa" is an opening work and was composed in 2008 for the Schwertberg Music Association. It is considered Thomas Asanger’s first published work. At the time, the young Upper Austrian composer was 19 years old.

Originally used as a practical tool in engineering and physics, the kaleidoscope gradually became a popular pastime for children. The turning and twisting, the creation of new images, naturally has something very fairy-tale-like about it. Even the smallest mechanical change makes it possible to immerse oneself in a wonderful world. Thomas Asanger published this work at the age of 19, and it is dedicated to the Upper Austrian Military Band, which premiered it under the direction of Harald Haselmayr at the Brucknerhaus Linz.