―Julius Fučik (1872–
1916), arranged by M.L. Lake, edited by Frederick Fennell
The length and content of the Florentiner March lead one to believe
that, like Sousa with his Free Lance March, Fučik must have tried to
condense an operetta into a march. The march opens with a short bugle
fanfare, and proceeds directly into a strain that sounds like a flighty
Florentine signorina chattering to her gentleman friend from Berlin who
only has time to answer a (two-note) “ja-wohl” occasionally. The march
continues with another fanfare; a light, floating trio melody; an interlude;
and a triumphant repeat with a challenging piccolo part. (Source:
Band Music Notes, Norman Smith and Albert Stoutamire.)
