Three Winds Go West (Ragtime – Cake Walk)
Written for Oboe doubling Cor Anglais, Clarinet and Bassoon
The first in a series of three, each movement of these original settings by Alan Danson presents a ‘quasi cameo’ of the character of its American origins.
‘Ragtime Cakewalk’ suggests the essence and style of this type of dance through the chuckling cor anglais, solid bassoon accompaniment and counter line on the clarinet.
In ‘Cowboy’s Toon’ the bassoon provides a laid back foundation, whilst the clarinet and oboe duet side by side with a line incorporating some of the bending tones one might expect to hear from the cowboy’s drawl.
In ‘Barn Dance’ a sense of team enjoyment is portrayed, with the clarinet line accompanied by high jinks, vocal calls and clapping from the Cor Anglais and Bassoon.
Listen to a sample
Parts and score available from Broadbent & Dunn
Six Miniatures for Double Reed Trio
Oboe, Cor Anglais and Bassoon
Each miniature is a musical character in terms of styles, settings and trends of yesteryear and today and provides a good platform to demonstrate the unique blend of double reed players.
Listen to a sample of “Double Reed Workout”
Parts and score available from Broadbent & Dunn
Wind Trio Arrangements
Three Winds in a Boat (Sea Shanties)
Arranged for Oboe doubling Cor Anglais, Clarinet and Bassoon
Five sea shanties arranged by Alan Danson, each presented with a little twist. The clarinet provides a stomach lurching rolling motion in ‘Blow the Man Down’ while bended tones on the cor anglais and bassoon provide a quasi queasiness to the arrangement. Set in a stoic march mood ‘The Mermaid’ has the members in antiphonal fanfares at the close of the setting, along with the occasional (intended) mis-pitched flattened 7th on the Clarinet, while ‘Drunken sailor’ is given an up tempo treatment with horn call references to the chase. ‘Bobby Shaftoe’ is in true dancing mood, with a beguine feel to the middle section before ending the shanty with toe tapping togetherness.
Listen to a sample
Parts and score available from Broadbent & Dunn
Three Winds on The Rocks (Drinking Songs)
Arranged for Cor Anglais, Clarinet and Bassoon
Four English drinking songs in a rollicking medley – perfect for schools and professionals.
Listen to a sample
Score and parts available from Alan Danson
I Got Plenty of Nothin (Gershwin)
Arranged for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon
This arrangement opens with what appears to be the opening of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, but progresses to an ostinato line of support upon which the oboe and bassoon open this wonderful tune by Gershwin. Great interplay is made between the parts, and there is an allusion to Copland before returning to the home key. A brief ‘Religioso’ reflection is provided before the setting romps home to a sprightly finish.
Listen to a sample
Parts and score available from Broadbent & Dunn