Various Things

Various Things (Programme notes This set of short pieces is dedicated with fond memory to Laurence Evans, long-time Principal Trumpet of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The title is a double-entendre referring to one of the many anecdotes which are affectionatley recounted about him. The 6 movements of the Divertimento are all short character pieces: 1 Parade, is a slightly disjointed march 2. Far Away has a nostalgic quality and includes a short section which suggest the pealing of bells at a troubled time. 3. Canonic Scherzo is energetic, begins in unison but breaks into 3 part canon, fistly with the parts a whole bar apart but then in closer succession. 4. Folk Song is a gentle interlude. 5. Signals in Double Echo is simply a single progression of trumpet calls, as if played in a resonant acoustic, echoed twice, the second echo being a little more distant than the first. 6. Dance has an irregular beat pattern almost throughout in an Eastern European manner. Performance notes: The parts are in B flat. If required the 3rd movement may be transposed down a tone. 1. Play in a bright rhythmic style. Make sure that the melody at A (1st tpt) and B (3rd tpt then 2nd tpt) is the lead voice with the marching rhythm secondary. 2. Play in a relaxed and flexible manner. The 3rd part should lead at A. The bell notes at B should start quietly. 3. Accentuate the beginings of each canonic phrase. 4. A flugel on part 3 is preferable and 3 flugels would also provide interesting colour contrast. Keep the tempo flowing but remain relaxed in mood. 5. Either make sure that the 2nd and 3rd parts are successively quieter than the first or use appropriate mutes. If muted try to maintain a feel of echo by ensuring that the style is absolutely similar to the first, open voice. 6. Practice the rhythm seperately first to get it firmly ingrained. Practice also playing on the first note of each pattern, as at D. Keep the whole style bright throughout - tenuto lines mean a longish stress but not slurred.)