Royal Fanfares and Interludes (6), for brass ensemble & percussion, F. 78b

• Date: 1960 -1965
• Composer: Arthur Bliss
• Period: Modern (1910-1949)

Review

For the last 22 years of his life, Arthur Bliss was Great Britain's Master of the Queen's Music. One of the important duties of that post is to supply original fanfares as needed; Bliss collected and ordered six of his efforts to that end into this suite, which is just over five minutes in duration. The variety that Bliss gleans from this very limiting form of ceremonial brass music is impressive. The first selection from the suite, "Sovereign's Fanfare," is stately. "Fanfare for the Bride" follows. The "Interlude" was originally intended as an introduction to "God Save the Queen." The "Royal Fanfare (I)" is dignified, but "The Wedding Fanfare" has the requisite majestic pomp called for in a work written for the wedding of Princess Margaret in 1960--the occasion for which the final section of the suite, "Royal Fanfare (II)," was also written. ~ Eric Goldberg, Rovi

Albums with Complete Performances of the Work

Title	Date
Fanfare, British Music for Symphonic Brass Ensemble	1977
Great Musical Occasions

Albums with Excerpt Performances of the Work

Title	Date
Ascension Day
Celebration: Royal Music from Westminster Abbey
Essentially Christmas	1992
Great Musical Occasions

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