Old Sore-Head, The

Julius Fučik

Subtitle: Polka Comique, Op. 210

This work may also appear under its title in German, Der Alte Brummbar.

General Info

Year: 1910 / 2000
Duration: c. 4:25
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Southern Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $95.00 | Score Only (print) - $8.95

Instrumentation

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

Bass Drum
Bells
Crash Cymbals
Snare Drum
Triangle

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Fučik was himself a bassoon player and composed this charming “polka comique” for solo bassoon and orchestra around 1910 under the title Der alto Brummbar or the Old Grumbling Bear. The title suggests the possibility that this piece might in some way be a musical portrait, either of Fučik himself or of some cranky older bassoonist that Fučik met in his long performance career.

- Program Note from Indian Springs Middle School Band concert program, 12 February 2016

The Old Sore-Head is a poetic translation of the original title Der alte Brummbär or “The Old Grumbling Bear.” The arranger believes this title was meant to portray either Fučík or another bassoonist he met during his career. The composer described the music as a polka comique and wrote comedy through the interplay between the band and the soloist. The band insists on a fast tempo and the “grumbling” bassoonist prefers to perform at a slower tempo, which lasts until the end of the piece, when the soloist proves their technical prowess.

- Program Note by Cole Hairston for the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, University Band concert program, 18 November 2021

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
Audio CD: Lake Highlands High School Wind Symphony (Marion West, conductor) – 2001

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Strafford Wind Symphony (Wolfeboro, N.H.) (Jeffrey Smith, conductor) - 18 March 2023
University of North Carolina, Greensboro, University Band (Cole Hairston, conductor; Christopher Allpress, bassoon) - 18 November 2021
State College (Penn.) Area Municipal Band (Ned Deihl, conductor; Richard Manning, bassoon) - 15 April 2018
McMurry University (Abilene, Tex.) Wind Ensemble (David Robinson, conductor;Janelle Ott, bassoon) – 7 November 2017
United States Air Force Band (Washington, D.C.) (Joseph Hansen, conductor; Eddie Sanders III, Bassoon) – 19 July 2016
Indian Springs Middle School (Keller, Texas) Band (David Puckett, conductor) - 12 February 2016 (2016 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
Lake Highlands High School (Richardson, Tx.) Wind Symphony (Marion West, conductor) – 21 December 2001 (2001 Midwest Clinic)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Children of the Regiment (tr. Bourgeois) (ca. 1915/1996)
Concertino for Bassoon (arr. Belohoubek) (2015)
Der alto Brummbar. See: The Old Grumbly Bear and The Old Sore-Head
Entry of the Gladiators (arr. Balent) (1900/2004)
Entry of the Gladiators (arr. Holcombe Jr.) (1900)
Entry of the Gladiators (tr. Laurendeau; arr. Seredy) (1900/1936)
Entry of the Gladiators (tr. Laurendeau; arr. Seredy; ed. Ragsdale) (1900/1997)
Fanfare Sounds (arr. Bourgeois) (2017)
Florentiner (arr. Lake, ed. Fennell) (1907/1980)
Florentiner March (ed. Bourgeois) (1907/1999)
Florentiner March (arr. Rossi) (1907/2007)
Gigantic (arr. Sip) (2002/2016)
Kinizsi (ed. Ohnmeiss)
Kinizsi (arr. Borodach)
Marinarella (arr. Beek) (1907/2005)
Mississippi River (arr. Studnitzky) (1902/1995)
The Old Grumbly Bear (arr. Glover) (1910/2004)
The Old Sore-Head (arr. Rogers) (1910/2000)
Thunder and Blazes (arr. Foster Jr.) (1900/2011)
Unter Der Admirals Flagge (Singerling) (1983)
Victory Trophies (arr. Sip) (1915/2002/2016)

Resources

Fucik, J.; Rogers, M. (2000). The Old Sore-Head = Der Alte Brummbär: Polka Comique, Op. 210 [score]. Southern Music: San Antonio, Texas.
Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. "Julius Fucik." Accessed 18 January 2016