March (Rienzi)

I've had this just laying around, so, for fun, I've uploaded it... :-)

I'm not an opera fan, and CERTAINLY no fan of Wagner, but this is an effective transcription of the March from Wagner's opera, "Rienzi."

Wagner detested this opera, and claimed that it was an early work and "too Italian".
He banned it's performance at Bayrueth, and his family upheld the ban, which was lifted only recently.

In brief, Rinezi is considered to be the "last Roman tribune," and there is intrique between two wealthy families, the pope, and a whole bunch of other people.

Written in 1840, "Rinezi" was Wagner's first operatic success.

This transcription was done by Dr. William Joseph Westbrook, Mus.B. (Cantab, 1876), Mus.D. (Cantab, 1878). Organist of St. Bartholomew’s, Bethnal Green, London, 1849-51; St. Bartholomew’s, Sydenham, London, 1851-84; co-organist of the Crystal Palace, London, 1860. Cofounder of the Musical Standard, 1862; conducted the South Norwood Musical Society, 1865-78. Composed cantatas, anthems, songs, organ pieces, &c. Wrote organ textbooks. b. Mile End, London, England, Jan. 1st, 1831; d. Sydenham, London, Mar. 24th, 1894.

Westbrook showed great skill in his transcriptions for Novello. His arrangements require skill, but are not "unplayable" as those by Lemare and Best often are.

I think I had a better recording at Hereford, using the Solo Tromba for the "trumpet calls," but I can't find it, so, this will have to do! :-)