The Year of the Dragon is a musical composition by Philip Sparke originally written for the internationally acclaimed and awarded [1] Cory Band's Centenary Celebrations held at St. David's Hall in Cardiff in March 1984.
[5] There are many rhythms and chord progressions throughout the piece that would suggest a slight jazz influence, mostly in the style of George Gershwin.
A slightly more joyful chorale offers a brief exit from the melancholic setting, before the solo returns to bring the movement to a hushed close.
Molto vivace ( = 138) The final movement of this piece begins with a fast feature with occasional outbursts in the background.
The bells are given a fanfare to play as the winds crescendo to a final climax and ending the piece with a fast-paced, rousing conclusion.