Fanfare

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For the torpedo decoy see Fanfare (decoy).

A fanfare is a short piece of music played by trumpets and other brass instruments, frequently accompanied by percussion, usually for ceremonial purposes. The term is also used symbolically, for instance of occasions for which there is much publicity, even when no music is involved.

Fanfare in the Montpellier

A fanfare is also a typical Dutch and Belgian orchestra, with trumpets, trombones, flugelhorns, French horns/saxhorns, tubas, saxophones and percussion.

Fanfares originated in the Middle Ages; although popular depictions of ancient Rome frequently include fanfares, the evidence is slight. In 18th century France the fanfare was a movement with energy and repetition of notes, and fanfares of the modern description date from the 19th century, when they were composed for British coronations (such as Hubert Parry's I was glad for Edward VII) and other important occasions.

Some composers have used the style as a theme:

Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland
Fanfare for a New Theatre, Igor Stravinsky
Fanfare for St Edmundsbury, Benjamin Britten
20th Century Fox Fanfare, Alfred Newman 1954
Icarus Dream Fanfare, from the Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra, Yngwie Malmsteen
Victory Fanfare, from the Final Fantasy series
Fanfare for Orchestra, Nigel Keay 1

Another type of fanfare is also a type of "verbal instrument" that is played by biting one's bottom lip and making a buzzing noise on different tones. Fanfare can be used to play most types of music on the treble clef and some higher notes on the bass clef. Fanfarers often join in duets or quartets to play together giving a harmonic buzzing sound.

[edit] Fanfares today

Fanfares are popular as theme music for television and radio news programs. Additionally they are often times used as victory marches in video games, particularly Role Playing Games.

With such widely known titles as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, the fanfares oftentimes stay nearly the same in each game iteration, changing in flavor & instrumentation to reflect the title's particular musical style and to show a growth of that particular element of the game (Both the fanfare itself and the general music). With over 12 titles under its belt, the Final Fantasy series has come to be expected to change the style of the fanfares in each game. This was even subverted in the latest title, Final Fantasy XII, where the fanfare was eliminated for any non-Boss battle; instead only the music of the surrounding landscape provided for musical accompaniment.

Fanfares are also frequently seen in Military parades.