Christian Bouthier

The Craftsmen

The energetic activities of three craftsmen at a local crafts market inspired the composer Christian Bouthier to write this work in three movements. The clockmaker gets many curious visitors at his stand. He patiently and proudlyshows the precision work of his beautiful clocks and lets all of them tick the small ones and large ones. The cooper (barrel-maker) skillfully puts together fine-looking, sturdy barrels of the best types of wood. From afar, youcan hear the cooper hammering. In the final movement, things are hectic at the blacksmith because the local horse-riding society has just arrived. Many horses are provided with new shoes. The experienced blacksmith hits thehorseshoes into the proper shape on his anvil - now the horses can spiritedly trot and gallop on the way back. A fascinating new addition to the concert band repertoire.