Bannockburn

Bruce Fraser

General Info

Year: 2006
Duration: c. 4:20
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: G and M Brand - British Music Publishers
Cost: Score and Parts - $80.00 | Score Only - $15.00

Instrumentation

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

Bass Drum
Glockenspiel
Hand Drums (various)
Snare Drum
Tom-Toms (2, low and high)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

In 1314, the forces of King Edward II and King Robert I met on the flat land south of Stirling. Edward had accepted a challenge to relieve Stirling Castle - one of the few Scottish castles still under English control - by midsummer's day. The Scottish forces, although smaller, were better led and better positioned. They won a heroic victory and King Edward fled the field and Scotland (narrowly escaping torture). Although it was not until 1328 that the English monarchy (under King Edward II) accepted Scotland's right to full independent status, the Battle of Bannockburn marked the end of any English pretensions to control the northern British kingdom.

Musically, the opening represents the advance of the English army. The Scots had prepared extra long spears to defend against the expected cavalry onslaught. The tension builds and the tempo increases as the English charge, only to find that the spears are extremely effective. The Scots manage to force the English into retreat and are victorious. I have used tiny fragments of two melodies to build up my own set of working notes - "Flower of Scotland", a song which immortalises the victory, and a song called "The Fields of Bannockburn".

-Program Note by Bruce Fraser

Media

MP3 at G and M Brand - British Music Publishers

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Resources

None discovered thus far.