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Toccata Marziale
Contents |
General Info
Year: 1924
Duration: c. 4:30
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
Cost: Score and Parts - $125.00 | Score Only - $12.95
Instrumentation
Full Score
Piccolo
Flute
Oboes
Bassoon I-II
Eb Soprano Clarinet
Bb Soprano Clarinet Solo
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bb Contrabass Clarinet (doubles the Bass Saxophone part)
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bass Saxophone (doubles the Contrabass Clarinet part)
Solo and 1st Cornet (in Bb)
Cornet (in Bb) II
Trumpet (in Bb) I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani F and Bb
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Cymbals
- Snare Drum
- Triangle
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Toccata Marziale, written in 1924, was Vaughan Williams’s second work for military and is one of the most significant contributions to the wind band literature. The word “toccata” comes from the Italian “toccare,” meaning “to touch,” hence its association with the early Baroque virtuouso keyboard pieces written by Frescobaldi and others. Toccata Marziale is a contrapunctal masterpiece for wind ensemble, in which textures are juxtaposed in massed effects with large sectoins of winds and brasses. A rhythmic vigor, as suggested by the title, permeates the piece and Vaughan Williams’s brilliant scoring reveals the fundamental properties of the band’s sonority and its instrumental virtuosity and color.
- Notes by Frederick Fennell
This Vaughan Williams composition works well as the opener of a concert program. While playable by both fine high school and university ensembles, conductors should note that the thick scoring can result in a heavy, sluggish performance if players are not proficient with light articulations and styles. Some key compositional traits of this composer are present, such as blurring the downbeat, enacting rhythmic interplay amongst parts, and juxtaposing contrasting melodic styles. When performers take full advantage of these expressive opportunities and highlight the unique qualities of this composition, Toccata Marziale makes for an invigorating contribution to the concert.
- Notes from Great Music for Wind Band
Commercial Discography
- Audio CD: Depauw University Band (Craig Pare, conductor), 4280-MCD
- Audio CD: University of Illinois Symphonic Band (Harry Begian, conductor), 4887-MCD
- Audio CD: President's Own Marine Band (Michael Colburn, conductor), Midwest Clinic 2004, 5411-MCD
- Audio CD: JJ Pearce High School 1994-1995 Band Highlights (Jeff Bridges, conductor), MCD-1851
- Audio CD: North Texas Wind Symphony (Eugene Corporon, conductor)
State Ratings
- Arkansas: V
- Florida: VI --- (The Florida Bandmasters Association denotes this as significant literature)
- New York: VI
- Texas: V
Recent Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- California State Long Beach Wind Symphony (Lisa Castleman, conductor) - 29 November 2012
- Ohlone Wind Orchestra (Tony Clements, conductor) - 8 May 2011
- Arts Academy Band [Interlochen, Mich.] (Frederick Fennell, conductor) - 11 January 1970
Additional Works for Winds by this Composer
- English Folk Song Suite (1924)
- Norfolk Rhapsody (tr. Robert O'Brien) (1905)
- Overture to "The Wasps" (tr. Frank Hudson) (1909)
- Rhosymedre (tr. by Walter Beeler)
- Sea Songs (1925)
- Toccata Marziale(1924)
Additional Resources
- Reynish, Timothy. The Wind Music of Ralph Vaughan Williams Winds Magazine.
- Reynish, Timothy. Vaughan Williams - Rehearsal notes on Toccata Marziale
- Nicholson, Chad. (2009). Great Music for Wind Band: A Guide to the Top 100 Works in Grades IV, V, VI. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications. pp 111-112.
