Variations on a Bass Theme (George Lloyd)

Full of intrigue and mystery, Variations on a Bass Theme is a treat for the ears. A plethora of thematic material emerges out of tuba section in the opening bar, creating the jumping off point for the whole work. Lloyd takes the listener down numerous unexpected paths, conjuring many visual images along the way as if watching a movie.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 5 | Duration: 10:00

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

1st Bb Trumpet
2nd Bb Trumpet
1st Bb Cornet
2nd Bb Cornet
3rd Bb Cornet
1st F Horn
2nd F Horn
3rd F Horn
4th F Horn
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
(TC Baritone)
Tuba

String Bass*

Percussion (suspended cymbal, snare drum, glockenspiel, bass drum, triangle)
Timpani

Parts marked with an asterisk (*) are NOT ESSENTIAL, although their presence will obviously enable a fuller realization of the composer's intentions to be achieved.

Program Notes
Variations on a Bass Theme was written in 1986 for brass band and the original version was titled "Diversions on a Bass Theme." The composer himself wrote:

"This piece is a set of variations. Traditionally variations were what they said they were, i.e. a given tune was treated in a variety of ways. The pattern of this work is made the other way round: a number of tunes grow out of the first bar, played by the tubas, which provide the motif for the whole work.

Arranger's Note:
The suggestion to arrange the work for symphonic wind band came from George Lloyd: he felt the piece lent itself to such transcription and asked if I would be interested in undertaking it. Interestingly, he always referred to the piece as his Variations on a Bass Theme and I have reflected this in the title of this concert band version. In all other respects the work is exactly as George Lloyd wrote it.