Sample played by London Brass

10018 – Gabriels Message

Trad Basque Carol

Arranged by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: Medium

Price: £22.50

Programme notes:

The carol genre developed in the 12th century as a dance-song, using popular melodies to convey moral or religious texts. While over the succeeding centuries the form developed into a contrapuntal medium of some complexity, particularly in England, the early simple verse and refrain dance style continued to exist. The particular melody of Basque origin has, in its familiar modern version, words tell the story of the Annunciation of Christ’s birth to Mary by the Angel Gabriel. This arrangement looks back to the melody’s origins employing a vigorous dance style.

Performance notes:

A drum, preferably medium sized, single headed, is essential for this arrangement. It should provide a constant background that can either follow the printed part or be improvised in keeping with the piece. The 1st trumpet part should he played on a trumpet, at least an Eb, and for textural reasons the player should be placed separately, possibly with the drum to give a pipe and drum effect detached from the rest of the ensemble.

Choose a lively tempo but not se fast as to lose the detail, particularly in the 1st trumpet.