Sevillana (Elgar)

Instrumentation#

2 flutes (second also piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 cornets, 2 trombones, bass trombone, tuba, percussions (snare drum, tambourine, bass drum, cymbals, triangle) and strings.

Structure#

Allegro moderato 3/8 G minor The work commences with a rhythmic lively 3/8 episode, characteristic of the Spanish Sevillana dance. After the brief introduction, violins expose the subject shown in excerpt 1. Excerpt 1 : \relative c’ \new Staff \with \remove “Time_signature_engraver” \key g \minor \time 3/8 r8 r^\markup Sul. G d\downbow \mf \ ( f!8) d4>( es8) c4>( d8!) bes( f'8.-> es16) d8( c\dim bes!) a4( bes8) g4.~ g8 Codetta dominated by dotted rhythm is followed by refined melody in G major (Excerpt 2). Excerpt 2 : \relative c’ \new Staff \with \remove “Time_signature_engraver” \key g \major \time 3/8 \tempo “Poco meno mosso.” r16 d\p( g fis a g) b4._\markup \italic dolce ( e,) g~ g8 a b c r c\downbow ( e) r e\downbow ( g,4.) Subsequently, cheerful episode is shown in D major (Excerpt 3). Excerpt 3 : \relative c’ \new Staff \with \remove “Time_signature_engraver” \key g \major \time 3/8 \partial 4 d16->\ff cis-> d-> cis-> a b a fis d b a fis d cis b-> d a->\ 8\sf ( r16 g-.) g8-. After the short development using excerpts 2 and 3, dotted rhythm reappears, followed by recapitulation of excerpt 1. In the coda, the music accelerates to con fuoco of excerpt 2, then to presto of excerpt 1, and it rushes into the end. Average performance of this work requires approximately 5 minutes.

References#

• • *Score, Elgar: Sevillana, Charles Tuckwood, London

External links#

• • Sevillana on the website from Elgar Society *