First Suite in E-flat for Military Band
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The "First Suite in E-flat major for Military Band" (Op. 28, No. 1) is a cornerstone in the concert band repertoire. This piece, along with its sister piece, "Second Suite in F for Military Band", was written by the prominent British composer Gustav Holst. Aside from these two suites, Hammersmith and A Moorside Suite were his only band works. The First Suite, as it is informally called, was written for a full military band in 1909. During this time of band music, the repertoire was almost exclusively transcriptions from orchestral works. Holst's First and Second Suites are two of the very few works for concert bands that have been transcribed for orchestra.
There have been several editions of the work, most recently by Boosey & Co. Ltd. (1984), edited by Colin Mathews.
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[edit] Structure
The First Suite has three movements, each with its own character and form. The complete composition is based upon a 8-measure melody reminiscent of English folk song; however, the tune is original to Holst.
Most notably, the theme statement that initiates the first movement is developed throughout each movement. Its variations range in style from lyrical to playfully rhythmic to ornamentally embellished.
[edit] Movement 1: "Chaconne"
This movement, in 3/4 time, is based upon the 8-measure melody initiated by the low brass and woodwinds which repeats sixteen times throughout the piece. Two of the repetitions, the tenth and eleventh, are of the theme inverted, while the final repetition is transposed up a fifth, chromatically altered, and extended.
Holst places five countermelodies to his Chaconne melody throughout the piece. The movement is also punctuated by a running sixteenth-note line in the woodwinds marked "brillante", in sharp contrast with the pesante repeated melody.
The rhythm of the movement with its half note-quarter note and quarter note-half note measures is based upon medieval English carols; the "Agincourt Song" from 1415 in particular bears a strong resemblance.
[edit] Movement 2: "Intermezzo"
Nearly all of this movement is devoted to a rhythmic and well-articulated clarinet and trumpet soli. The exploitation of wind band tone colour combinations flavor this movement. While the movement is predominanly light in character, the lyrical euphonium solo—another variation on the main theme from Mvmt. 1—provides contrast with sustained and rich tone.
[edit] Movement 3: "March"
The march is usually played at a march tempo, although many recordings play it quite fast. It is a powerful piece featuring trumpets and low brass. It features a repeated melody and some slight variations.
[edit] Instrumentation
[edit] 1909 manuscript
The scoring for the original version of this work is flute and piccolo in D flat, 2 clarinets in E flat (2nd ad lib), 2 oboes (ad lib), solo clarinet in B flat, 3 clarinets in B flat (first ripieno), alto saxophone in E-flat(ad lib), tenor saxophone in B flat (ad lib), bass clarinet in B flat (ad lib), 2 bassoons (2nd ad lib), 1st and 2nd cornets in B-flat, 2 trumpets in E flat (ad lib), 2 horns in F, 2 horns in E-flat(ad lib), baritone in B flat (ad lib), 2 tenor trombones (2nd ad lib), bass trombone, euphonium, bombardons, double bass (ad lib), timpani (ad lib), bass drum, cymbals, side drum, triangle and tambourine.
[edit] 1948 full score
(Based on parts made by Boosey and Co. ca. 1926. Prior was a condensed score.)
Flute and piccolo in C, flute and piccolo in D flat, oboes, clarinet in E flat, 2 clarinets in B-flat, alto clarinet in E flat, bass clarinet in B flat, 2 bassoons, alto saxophone in E flat, tenor saxophone in B flat, baritone saxophone in E flat, bass saxophone in B-flat, contrabass clarinet, 2 cornets in B flat, trumpets in B-flat, flugelhorns, 4 horns in E-flat, 3 trombones, euphonium, basses, snare drums, bass drums, timpani, triangle, cymbals and tambourine.
[edit] 1984 revised edition
Flute and piccolo in C, 2 oboes, clarinet in E flat, solo clarinet in B flat, 3 clarinets in B flat, bass clarinet in B flat, 2 bassoons, alto saxophone in E flat, tenor saxophone in B flat, baritone saxophone in E flat, bass saxophone in B flat, 2 cornets in B flat, 2 trumpets in B flat, 4 horns in F, 3 trombones, euphonium, basses, double bass, timpani, snare drum, bass drum, triangle, cymbals and tambourine.
[edit] References
- Udell, Budd (1982). "Standard Works for Band: Gustav Holst's First Suite in E♭ Major for Military Band." Music Educators Journal, 69 (4):28 (JSTOR subscription access)
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