Three Revolutionary Marches

From Wind Repertory Project
Bedřich Smetana

Bedřich Smetana (arr. Vaclav Nelhybel)


General Info

Year: 1848 / 1969
Duration: c. 8:05
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Piano
Publisher: Alfred Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts – Out of print.


Movements

1. March of the Revolutionary Guard - 2:25
2. March of the Students' Legion
3. March of Freedom


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Triangle


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Originally written by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana in 1848 as piano pieces. The three marches are March of the Revolutionary Guard; March of the Students' Legion and March of Freedom. The musically accurately portrays the political upheaval of his time in Prague.

- Program Note from publisher


Nationalism was an important force in 19th century music. In Czechoslovakia, it was Bedřich Smetana who took up the crusade. Three Revolutionary Marches is based on Czech melodies, which, it is said, Smetana heard while fighting ranged in Prague.

- Program Note from Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music


The March of the Revolutionary Guard was written in 1848, an inflammatory political time in European history. It is known that Smetana, then a young man of twenty-four, composed this march while actual street fighting raged in his city of Prague. There are also two other marches that comprise a set.

Although written originally as pieces for piano solo, the third march (also known as A Song of Freedom) had a vocal text. The second piece, March of the Student Legion, is based on two easily recognizable and traditional sources – the student song Gaudeamus Igitor (Let us therefore rejoice) and a European folk song resembling the familiar tune know as A Hunting We Will Go.

- Program Note from University of Oregon Wind Ensemble concert program, 31 January 2016


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Purdue University Fort Wayne (Ind.) Symphonic Band (Daniel Tembras, conductor) - 2 March 2023
  • Syracuse University (Syracuse, N.Y.) (Bradley P. Ethington, conductor) – 2 October 2018
  • Wisconsin Lutheran College (Milwaukee) Concert Band (James Baxter, conductor) – 11 May 2018
  • Wisconsin Lutheran College (Milwaukee) Concert Band (Terry S. Treuden, conductor) – 6 October 2017
  • Interlochen Center for the Arts (Michigan) Adult Band Camp (Thomas Riccobono, conductor) - 13 August 2017
  • University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Wind Symphony (Rodney Dorsey, guest conductor) - 18 November 2016
  • University of Oregon (Eugene) Wind Ensemble (Rodney Dorsey, conductor) – 31 January 2016
  • Parkland College (Champaign, Ill.) Concert Band (Larry Stoner, conductor) - 19 October 2014
  • Woodside (Calif.) Village Band – 29 April 2013


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

  • Vltava (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Ehara) (1874/2014)


All Wind Works


Resources