12025 – Agincourt Song

English 15th Century

Arranged by Roger Harvey for 12 trombones

Difficulty: Hard

Price: £22.50

Programme notes:

This famous song was written to celebrate the great victory of Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

In the manuscript of the original it begins as a unison song, continues in 2 parts and has a chorus, 'Deo Gracias' in 3 parts. The fine melody is quite possibly borrowed from popular folk music stock.

In this arrangement the syncopated rhythmic ambiguity of the chorus is exploited. The introduction sets 6/8 against 3/4 and further shifts the pulse by introducing 5/8 rhythms.

Verse 1 is mostly played in unison the phrases being passed around the ensemble. Verse 2 has a lighter contrapuntal style and verse 3 is generally strong tutti finishing grandly.

Performance notes:

Make all the rhythmic movement as clearly articulate as possible to avoid messiness in the texture.

Make sure the various voices balance in the verse starting at letter A. Also avoid playing too forcefully; it should be strong, imposing and carefully articulated without becoming harsh or competitive.

In verse 2, letter C, play more lightly but make the sure the articulation is still clear and distinct.

At letter E, also avoid becoming strident; keep the sound resonant and bright but avoid harshness; concentrate on balance, intonation and uniformity of production and rhythm.

The maestoso should not be much slower, just hold back a bit but keep the momentum going. Time the accelerando to meet Tempo one accurately.

Duration: approx 2mins 40secs