Fantasia on British Sea Songs

ORCHESTRATION: 2 Flutes (2nd db.piccolo), 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, 2 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Tuba (opt.db.Euphonium), Timpani, Percussion (4 players: Triangle, Side Drum, Tenor Drum, Cymbals, Bass Drum, Tambourine, Wood Block, Swanee Whistle), Harp (or Keyboard), Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass) plus Choir [optional] either SATB, SA+Men, SSA or TTBB

The Fantasia on British Sea Songs was arranged by Sir Henry Wood in 1905 to mark the centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. It is a medley of British sea songs and for many years has been seen as an indispensable item at the BBC's Last Night of the Proms concert.

he original orchestral scoring for the fantasia required a much larger orchestra. This new arrangement by Peter Lawson uses a more standard sized orchestra whilst maintaining the overall effects.

A chorus [optional] is added throughout as all of the tunes used (except the bugle calls) started life as sea songs. Four different 48 page vocal scores are available (none are included in the orchestral pack): SATB - GM144 SSA - GM145 TTBB - GM146 SA+Men - GM147

The arrangement can also be performed by a choir without an orchestra with only piano accompaniment.

A PACK comprises an A4 sized full score plus a complete set of parts including strings 4/4/3/4/2.

Duration 19 minutes

The complete work is made up of nine parts which follow the course of the battle from the point of view of a British sailor, starting with the call to arms, progressing through the death of a comrade, thoughts of home, and ending with a victorious return and the assertion that Britain will continue to 'rule the waves'. Individual sections can be omitted if required. The fantasia commences with a series of six naval bugle calls and their responses. These calls were traditionally used to convey orders on a naval warship.