Duration 6:50 min
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This was composed to celebrate the Hymn Tune ‘Hyfrydol’ written by the Welsh composer Rowland Prichard (b.1811)
The work opens in a Mysterious fashion featuring a flute soloist accompanied by distante percussion with ethereal effects. The flute is joined by the oboe then clarinet the finally finishing with the bass clarinet to round out the 4-part SATB harmonies. The first Majestic Moment is realised at bar 39 where the ensemble (in full voice) conclude the first section. At bar 47 the tune is given the 4/4 treatment which assists in modernizing the work and features scalic flourishes from the upper winds. Section 2 concludes as did section 1 with the full voice of the original hymn. The middle section of the work moves into the relative minor and uses closer harmonies in the accompaniment. The finale section is marked ‘Vivace’ which gives the work a sense of excitement commencing with the percussion section and brass. The percussion continues to shine until the tutti band is realized at the ‘Glorioso’. The hymn itself can be heard here in diminution and performed by the Trombones in full voice. The four-part work returns at L then followed by a coda to complete the ‘Town Hall” finish which will be popular with audiences.
- Mark Ford
Instrumentation: Picc, Fl 1 2, Ob 1 2, Bsn 1 2, Eb Cl, Bb Cl 1 2 3, Bs Cl, A Sx 1 2, T Sx, B Sx, F Hn 1 2 3 4, Tpt 1 2 3, Tbn 1 2, Bs Tbn, Euph (BC & TC), Tba, Dbl Bs, Tymp, Drum Set, Concert Toms, Marimba, Glock, Triangle, Cymbals, Wind Chimes, Chimes, Tam-tam, Bass Drum