Prelude for an Occasion Edward Gregson

This curtain raiser sets a lively mood by bursting into a fanfare, followed by a short bouncing figure and a lively clarinet solo. Rhythmic bi-play, trombone glissandi and a light-hearted obbligato, all add to the merriment. The opening fanfare returns in extended form, and a final flourish brings Prelude for an Occasion to a triumphant ending.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 4 | Duration: 4:00

Instrumentation
Flute 1/Piccolo
Flute 2
Oboe 1
Oboe 2*
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Eb Alto Clarinet*
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Eb Alto Saxophone 1
Eb Alto Saxophone 2*
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone*

F Horn 1/2
F Horn 3/4*
Bb Cornet 1
Bb Cornet 2
Bb Cornet 3*
Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Trombone 1
Trombone 2*
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
(TC Baritone)
Tuba

String Bass*

Timpani
Percussion 1 (snare drum, wood block, tambourine)
Percussion 2 (crash cymbals, suspended cymbal, triangle, glockenspiel)

Parts marked with as asterisk (*) are NOT ESSENTIAL, although their presence will obviously enable a fuller realization of the composer's intentions to be achieved.

Program Notes
Prelude for an Occasion might be described as a "curtain raiser." Its purpose is to set a mood which this Prelude does by bursting into a fanfare, always a good way to arrest attention. A quicker tempo Allegro moderato follows, comprising a short bouncing figure answered by a solid response from the lower instruments and introducing a lively solo on the clarinet, marked Giocoso (playfully, merrily). The interval of a falling 5th is important, echoes by a similar response from other instruments, which then gives way to a broad melody, played canabile (in a singing style).

Rhythmic bi-play, trombone glissandi and a light-hearted obbligato, all add to the merriment. The opening fanfare returns in extended form, and a final flourish brings the Prelude to a triumphant ending.