Highland Fantasy

Based on traditional Scottish melodies, Highland Fantasy begins with the jolly romp "The Wee Cooper o' Fife" and moves into the yearning ballad "Highland Laddie." Fraser cleverly merges the two themes as the work comes to a joyously majestic close.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 2.5 | Duration: 5:15

Instrumentation
1st Flute
2nd Flute
Oboe*
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet*
Bassoon*
1st Eb Alto Saxophone*
2nd Eb Alto Saxophone*
Bb Tenor Saxophone*
Eb Baritone Saxophone*

1st Bb Trumpet
2nd Bb Trumpet
3rd Bb Trumpet
1st F Horn
2nd F Horn
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Euphonium
(TC Baritone)
Tuba

Timpani*
Mallets (xylophone, glockenspiel)
Percussion 1 [2 players] (snare drum, bass drum) Percussion 2 (suspended cymbal, temple blocks) Percussion 3 (2 toms, triangle) Parts marked with an asterisk (*) are NOT ESSENTIAL, although their presence will obviously enable a fuller realization of the composer's intention to be had.

Program Notes
Highland Fantasy is mainly based on traditional Scottish melodies. After a brief introduction we hear "The Wee Cooper o' Fife" played firstly by a solo trumpet followed by a tutti version. "Highland Laddie" appears, initially featuring saxophones and then passed around the band. The slow middle section is an original which I felt complemented the other melodies in the piece. A recapulation leads to a final section with an augmented version of "Highland Laddie" from the middle of the band with a version of "The Wee Cooper" in the upper winds. The work ends with a final majestic statement.