Toccata Marziale By Ralph Vaughan Williams

[ehelwagen]

I absolutely loved playing this piece in college. It was joyful!

[Chopinm4n]

this is my favorite piece for wind ensemble ever.

[captiandouglass]

DEAR TRUMPET PLAYERS (AND OTHER BRASS) IF YOU WANT TO JIZZ UR PANTS LOOK AT "ALLEN VIZZUTTI FIREDANCE" (THE SECOND THAT SHOWS UPIN THE SEARCH QUEUE)

[TheGuitarsRMe]

i'll never forget when i first saw this music. i play the tuba, and when the director handed it to me i looked at him and asked, "is this the right part? there's sixteenth notes, through the whole song..." and all he said was, "good luck". granted we aced the piece but man when i saw that it was daunting at first, but after some practice it sounded amazing.

[callmeBe]

I love the counterpoint in this work, but I just hate the scoring--way, way, way too thick, with even the mid-lines 8va doubled. There are even lines that are 8va thrice!! Ach! However, it keeps everyone busy! (And, there is a lot to be said for that). My comment is, this version is superlative! I'm looking at the score as the notes fly by, and most of the dynamics put into this performance are not indicated in the score. Neither are the subtle tempo changes. Brilliant interpretation!!

[flasherrt2]

@callmeBe well it is a vaughan williams piece so thickness is to be expected, its sort of characteristic of him, espescially his band music

[callmeBe]

@flasherrt2 But, you know, his orchestral work is thinner. I'm just speculating, but I would bet he was certainly not as much at home orchestrating for just winds as he was for stings AND winds . . . But you're right, flasher, British music in genral (B. Britten was a true exception)--and especially British band music is scored incredibly thick as a general rule. With Toccata it really detracts, but the work is just so stinking good in so many ways that it overcomes all 10-fold.

[jamesgourlaytuba]

Fantastic performance!

[CM88keys]

One of the best concert band peices ever in my opinion. The score is so dense the entire time I love it! Its like constant 5 minute party in my ears:)

[blkjock81]

"Hemiola" Central LOL PLayed this in second year band Uni

[blkjock81]

Hemliola central!

[jcwagn48]

NTSU - THE Standard in performance!

[TROLLERSDELIGHT]

Wonderful piece.

[Tigerwarhawk]

@PLANEMANGROY I've listened to countless Texas bands.  Been hearing them for 23 years now.... Good day.

[Mickagume]

I have the recording "British Band Classics" (vinyl!) with Frederick Fennell conducting the Eastman Wind Ensemble, which I bought in the late '60s, and consider it the definitive recording of Tocatta Marziale. This recording by UNT is virtually indistinguishable from it! Not quite as "punchy" as Eastman's, it is, nonetheless, the best recording I've heard otherwise. Great Ensemble!

[john30238]

My band is playing this. I love it! :)

[BonePhonium]

This is by far my favorite work of Ralph Vaughn Williams. Absolutely wonderful performance!!!

[waltercp3]

@BonePhonium And North Texas State band is easily one of the best if not the best in the country.

[Otherworldly101]

Oh my English composers. :] Vaughan Williams, Holst, Grainger. Easily the three best composers into last century. :D

[Shmartastic]

@Otherworldly101 You think so? Well try playing the music!!!

[Otherworldly101]

@Shmartastic Okay...?

[kl4ng]

Aaaah Thank you! :)

[BehindFor17Hours]

Easily my favorite band song of all time. Ralph Vaughn Williams was a genius.

And I got the first view!