William Walton composed A Queen's Fanfare for performance by the British State Trumpeters at the 1959 NATO Parliamentarian's Conference in London. Scored for eight trumpets and four trombones, the piece was played during her majesty Queen Elizabeth's entrance to the hall. As a piece of official ceremonial music it is understandably brief, lasting under a minute. It consists of a brief "Maestoso" opening, characterized by dotted rhythms and ornamental triplet filigree, followed by an exuberant "Allegro" section composed of rising and falling arpeggios in a variety of evocative keys. The work's crux comes just near the end, when a quick breath precedes a sudden and heroic shift to the unexpected key upon which the piece concludes.

© All Music Guide

Portions of Content Provided by All Music Guide.
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.