Description
Prelude to Act 1 from The Fairy Queen
Composed by Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Arranged by David Marlatt
For Interchangeable 5-Part Woodwind Ensemble
Published by Eighth Note Publications
Duration: 1'30″
Includes score and parts
Instrumentation:
Part 1: Flute, Oboe, or Clarinet
Part 2: Flute, Oboe, or Clarinet
Part 3: Clarinet, F Horn, or Alto Saxophone
Part 4: Clarinet or Tenor Saxophone
Part 5: Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, or Baritone Saxophone
The Fairy Queen is one of Henry Purcell's (1659-1695) semi-operas which has derived from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Prelude or Overture, as it is sometimes called, is Italian in style. Purcell was attracted to this style of writing because of the counterpoint aspects. In the Prelude, both sections are fugal.
The articulations must be matched throughout the ensemble since the work contains so much imitative writing.