Saturday, October 24, 2009

The Earle of Oxford’s Marche

The Earle of Oxford’s Marche is a stately march scored for band from the keyboard music of William Byrd from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. Byrd was a student of Thomas Tallis and recognized as one of the founding members of the English Madrigal School. This march beautifully captures the pomp and circumstance with true “British” flair, and is the first of six movements from the William Byrd Suite written in 1922. The works of Gordon Jacob, who was educated at the Royal College of Music, are considered masterful contributions to the band literature. (JRO)