Duke of Marlborough Fanfare

Percy Grainger – 1939

“My fanfare (written on March 5-6, 1939 at Coral Gables, Florida) is based on the English folksong, “The Duke of Marlborough” as collected from the singing of Mr. Henry Burstow (of Horsham, Sussex, England) one of the very finest of all English folksingers. In my setting, the tune is heard twice. The first time, it typifies the memories of long past wars, vague, far off, poetic. The second time it typifies a war in the present, fast-moving, close at hand, debonair, drastic.”

Year: 1939
Duration: ~ 2:30
Publisher: Alfred Publishing

4 Trumpets in B flat
3 Horns
3 Trombones
Euphonium
2 Tubas
Suspended Cymbal

Recordings
  • 1961 – Kansas State University Concert Band (Paul Shull)
  • 1969 – English Chamber Orchestra (Benjamin Britten)
  • 1973 – The Sydney Symphony Orchestra (John Hopkins)
  • 1981 – UCLA Wind Ensemble (James Westbrook)
  • 1985 – Brassworks (USAF Chamber Players)
  • 1992 – In Concert with the U of Illinois Symphonic Band (Harry Begian)
  • 1992 – University of Houston Wind Ensemble (Eddie Green)
  • 1996 – BBC Philharmonic (Richard Hickox)
  • 1997 – Songs of the Earth (USAF Band)
  • 1999 – Of Knights and Castles (Burning River Brass)
  • 2009 – Dallas Wind Symphony (Jerry Junkin)
  • ???? – Brassfare (USAF Band of the Rockies)