Flea, The

From Wind Repertory Project

Joe Rizzo, Phil Horton, and Richard Blalock (arr. Wayne Robinson)


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Subtitle: For Flute Section and Band


General Info

Year: 1965
Duration: c.
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Sam Fox Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Instrumentation

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Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Flea (or La Pulga in Spanish) is a delightful syncopated, spritely number featuring the flute section, The music buzzes around unrestrainedly until the flea is swatted at the finale

- Program Note by San Jose Wind Symphony


This light and happy novelty number, subtitled La Pulga, features flutes playing Spanish rhythms while the clarinet section provides the scurrying antics of this wingless insect. Staccato passages give homage to a jumping ability that’s second only to that of frogs. Life is good until the inevitable ending.

Joe Rizzo was a composer and arranger credited with 79 copyrights. His popular jazz pieces were performed by the Stan Kenton Orchestra. Prelude to Nothing featured a musical repartee between Stan, Jack and Chico. Tempo di Joe personified Rizzo’s jumping rhythm. Red Dorris popularized the vocals on Stop Your Teasing and the love song No Tears. He added a jazz flavor to Delibes’ Pizzicato and Debussy’s Clair de Lune. Rizzo did a few collaborations with Phil Horton and Richard Blalock. Wayne Robinson, who scored The Flea for band, was a head arranger for NBC and became one of three leaders of the Dorabet Music Company. Robinson was one of the orchestrators for The Wiz starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Richard Pryor.

- Program Note by Foothill Symphonic Winds concert program, 8 March 2015


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

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  • Foothill Symphonic Winds (David Bruce Adams, conductor) - 8 March 2015
  • San Jose Wind Symphony (Edward C. Harris, conductor) - 9 March 2014


Works for Winds by This Composer

None discovered thus far.


Resources

  • Rizzo, J.; Horton, P.; Blalock, R.; Robinson, W. (1965). The Flea = La Pulga for Flute Section and Band; Sam Fox: New York.