The Siege of Kenilworth

From Wind Repertory Project
Daniel Basford

Daniel Basford


General Info

Year: 2011
Duration: c. 11:00
Difficulty: III+ (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hafabra Music
Cost: Score and Parts - 148 Eur


Movements

  • 1. The Castle
  • 2. The Rebels' Banquet
  • 3. The Siege
  • 4. Epilogue: The Dictum of Kenilworth

Instrumentation

Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon I-II (2nd ad lib.)
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Trombone I-II
Trombone III (bass)
Euphonium/Baritone (B.C./T.C.)
Tubas
Timpani (3 drums)
Percussion, 3 players, including:

  • Anvil (can be doubled)
  • Bass Drum
  • Cymbals (1 pair clash (20"), 1 suspended)
  • Glockenspiel
  • Snare Drum
  • Tam-tam (medium - circa 28-32", and large - circa 32”-38”)
  • Tambourine
  • Tenor Drum (should be lower in pitch than the Tom-toms)
  • Tom-toms (2, high/medium-high)
  • Triangle
  • Tubular Bells
  • Woodblock/Jamblock
  • Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Siege of Kenilworth was a battle that took place at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire in 1266 as part of the Second Barons’ War. After the death of his father at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, Simon VI de Montford agreed to surrender the castle to Henry III. However, the castle was being held by Baron loyalist rebels who rejected de Montford’s terms of surrender. Prince Edward (later King Edward I) led a six-month siege of the castle. In December 1266, the rebels agreed a truce due to many suffering from illness and their running out of supplies. This resulted in the creation of a treaty called the Dictum of Kenilworth, resulting in reconciliation between the Royalists and the Baronist rebels.

The music is more pictorial and cinematographic rather than portraying individuals and their actions. The interval of a perfect fifth, suggesting plainchant, is prominent throughout the work.

The opening movement is a representation of the castle itself: imposing and majestic. In movement two we move inside the castle to witness the rebels having a feast in celebration of taking hold of the fortress. The third movement, following a foreboding introduction, depicts the siege. The army of Prince Edward approaches from the distance: trumpets blare as the two opposing forces meet to battle inside and outside the castle. As the battle nears its climax, the music leads straight into the final movement where bells in the castle tower toll as the Dictum of Kenilworth is announced and peace and order is ceremoniously restored.


Commercial Discography


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

  • April 2015, St. Albans, UK

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

None discovered thus far.