March in D (Joshua)

Here's a little something from, as E. Power Biggs called him, "My magnificent Mr. Handel"!

This "March in D" comes from his oratorio, "Joshua", and was transcribed by. C. S. Lang for a collection of Handel transcriptions published by Novello in 1955.

If you are like me, and need all the practice you can get on your pedal scales, especially when they go high up on the pedal board, well, this little gem is just for you!

Craig Sellar Lang (13 May 1891 – 24 Nov 1971) was a New Zealand-born British organist, composer and music teacher.
Born in Hastings, New Zealand, he was educated at Clifton College, and was a pupil of Walter Parratt[ and Charles Stanford at the Royal College of Music. He was an ARCM and received his Doctor of Music from The University of Durham.

His best-known work is the "Tuba Tune in D", Opus 15, a favourite of recitalists. This dashing little piece, which owes its title to the boisterous melody sounded forth on the organ's tuba stop, begins in the style of Handel but, in its central section, has some brief key changes that could belong to no century except the 20th.

This should be a "unique" performance, as this is played ENTIRELY on the reeds. The first play through is on the Swell reeds 16' 8' & 4', and then repeated on the Great reeds at the same pitches, but without couplers. The next section is played with the Sw. reeds again, but they are coupled to the Trumpet 8' of the Choir. The repeat uses the reeds of the 3 divisions coupled together. Towards the end, you'll hear the top part played on the Solo Tuba, and the Great is joined to the Solo, for the right hand part, while the left hand remains on the Great. The Pedal also is reed based, although I did use Principals 16' & 8' as well. For the final phrase the 32' Contra Posaune and the 32' Open Wood are added.

This will make a good exercise and a GREAT wedding march and/or postlude!

The score is attached.