Fanfare pour précéder "La Peri"

by Paul Dukas, ed. by Nikk Pilato

In seventy years of life, Paul Abraham Dukas (1865-1935) left behind only seven major compositions and five minor works. This was not because Dukas was a slow worker or lazy; instead, Dukas was one of the most self-critical composers in history, destroying or hiding many of his works which he felt to be unworthy. A student of Théodore Dubois at the Paris Conservatoire, Dukas’ first surviving work of note was his Symphony (1896). This was followed by his best-known work, L’apprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), based on Goethe’s poem “Der Zauberlehrling,” so famously featured in Disney’s Fantasia.

His last complete work was La Peri, at the age of 47, after which he retired from composing and began his career as a teacher of composition and was also a music critic. Among his students were Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo and French composer Olivier Messiaen. Dukas died in Paris in 1935, and was buried in the Père Lachaise cemetery.

La Peri was written in 1912 as a symphonic poem for dance. It begins with the Fanfare, which has no thematic link with the remainder of the work. In essence, the Fanfare serves as a “call-to-order,” a complete contrast to the music that is to follow. La Peri just barely escaped destruction; Dukas had to be convinced by friends not to destroy the score. The Fanfare is possibly the second-most performed of Dukas’ works, behind only The Sorcerer’s Apprentice in popularity.

This version has been edited with high school/young college musicians in mind: The C Trumpet parts have been re-written to B-flat trumpet, the Trombone I part has been changed from Tenor clef to Bass clef, and the Trombone III part has been doubled on the Euphonium (it can be played by either instrument). The original intent of the music, however, has not been destroyed: All the notes and rhythms remain exactly the same as Dukas wrote them in 1912

For an audio sample (MIDI), please click  

Details

Catalog#: NN05-003
Duration: 2:00
Difficulty: Advanced

Instrumentation:

Trumpet (in B-flat) I-II-III
French Horn I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II
Euphonium/Trombone III
Tuba

FULL SET: $45.00 (includes shipping)

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