Peterloo Overture

Malcolm Arnold

Sir Malcolm Arnold (transcribed by Charles Sayre)

General Info

Year: Unknown
Duration: 8:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: G. Schirmer Inc.
Cost: Unknown

Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
Eb Soprano Clarinet
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Eb Contra-Alto Clarinet
Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Trumpet (in Bb) I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

• Bass Drum
• Cymbal (crash)
• Glockenspiel
• Side Drum
• Snare Drum (2)
• Tam-Tam
• Tenor Drum
• Tubular Bells

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Peterloo is the derisive name given to an incident on 16 August 1819, in St. Peter's Fields, Manchester, when an orderly crowd of some 8000 people met to hear a speech on political reform. On the orders of the magistrates they were interrupted by the Yeomanry, attempting to seize the banners they carried, and to arrest their speaker, Henry Hunt. Cavalry were sent in, and eleven people were killed and four hundred injured in the ensuing panic.

This overture attempts to portray these happenings musically, but after a lament for the killed and injured, it ends in triumph, in the firm belief that all those who have suffered and died in the cause of unity amongst mankind will not have done so in vain.

Program Note by Sir Malcolm Arnold

Commercial Discography

None discovered thus far.

State Ratings

• Florida: VI
• New York: VI

Recent Performances

• San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra (William V. Johnson, conductor) - 15 October 2010)

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Additional Works for Winds by this Composer

• Divertimento for Wind Octet, op. 137
• English Dances, Book One (tr. Johnstone)
• English Dances, Book Two (tr. Herbert)
• English Dances, Book Two (tr. Sudduth)
• Fanfare for Louis, 1970
• Four Cornish Dances (tr. Marciniak)
• Four Scottish Dances (tr. Paynter)
• Four Welsh Dances, op. 138 (tr. Parkes)
• Grand, Grand Overture, A, op. 57 (tr. Wilson)
• H.R.H The Duke of Cambridge, op. 60
• Overseas
• Padstow Lifeboat, The, op. 94
• Peterloo Overture (tr. Sayre)
• Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo (tr. Paynter)
• Sarabande and Polka from Solitaire (tr. Paynter)
• Symphony for Brass, op. 123
• Symphony No. 2: Allegretto and Vivace, op. 40 (tr. Parkes)
• Tam O'Shanter Overture, op. 51 (tr. Paynter)
• Trevelyan Suite, op. 96
• Water Music, op. 82

Additional References

• Sir Malcolm Arnold - Official Website