Percy Aldridge Grainger

Duke of Marlborough Fanfare

My fanfare (written March 5-6, 1939, at Coral Gables, Florida) is based on the English folksong 'The Duke of Marlborough' as collected by Miss Lucy E. Broadwood from the singing of Mr. Henry Buretow (of Horsham, Sussex, England) - one of the very finest of all English folksingers. In my setting, the tune is heard twice. The first time (behind the platform), it typifies memories of long-past wars - vague, far-off, poetic. The second time (on the platform), it typifies war in the present - fast-moving, close at hand, debonair, drastic. - Percy Aldridge Grainger. This work can be played by a Brass Band or by the Brass Choir of either a Wind Band or Symphony Orchestra. In all cases, the minimum orchestration is 3 Trumpets, 4 Horns, 3 Trombones, Tuba, and Cymbal, though many optional instruments may be added. Instrumentation included: 0.0.0.0: 4.4(4th opt.).3.1: Perc(1): (opt. add 2 Sax [AT], 2 Bsns, Baritone, StrBs). Reprint edition.