Picador, The

From Wind Repertory Project
John Philip Sousa

John Philip Sousa


The title of this work is often spelled "The Picadore."


General Info

Year: 1889
Duration: c. 2:55
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: U.S. Marine Band

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet Solo or I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet (optional)
B-flat Bass Clarinet (optional)
E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone (optional)
B-flat Tenor Saxophone (optional)
E-flat Baritone Saxophone (optional)
E-flat Cornet (optional)
B-flat Cornet Solo-I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

The Picador was one of several marches sold outright to the publisher, Harry Colman, for $35 each. The sum included arrangements for band, orchestra, and piano. Although the artwork on the piano version of this march depicts a picador in a bullfight scene, the origin of the march's title is unknown.

- Program Note from John Philip Sousa: A Descriptive Catalog of His Works


A picador is one of the pair of horsemen in a Spanish bullfight that jab the bull in the neck with a lance. The picador has three main functions: To pierce the muscle on the back of the bull’s neck in order to straighten the bull's charge; to fatigue the bull’s neck muscles and general stamina as it tries to lift the horse with its head; and to lower the bull’s head in preparation for the next stage.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Sousa is said to have disliked this march after discovering bull fighting.


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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