Jig from St. Pauls Suite by Geoffrey Brand Concert Band - Sheet Music

SKU: CN.S11277

The "Jig from St. Paul's Suite" is an exuberant dance originating from Scottish and Irish folk music in alternating duple and triple time (mostly 6/8 and 9/8), sometimes called Gigue. Geoffrey Brand adapted the original orchestra version for wind band quite beautifully. The clear counterpoint with clever changes of meter and rhythmical emphasis offers an intriguing insight into Holst's sound-world.

In 1911 Gustav Holst took over responsibility for the St. Paul's Girls' School Orchestra in London, which, according to his biographer Michael Short at that time consisted of a few violins, viola, cello and double-bass "to which a tambourine, two toy drums and some tin whistles were sometimes added." In the same tradition as Purcell and Haydn, Holst decided to write for this school orchestra and he began the four-movement St. Paul's Suite for Strings in 1912, the Finale of which is a transcription of the fourth movement of the Suite No. 2 for Military Band. Geoffrey Brand conceived the idea of arranging this Jig - the first movement of St. Paul's Suite - for concert band. It fits the medium beautifully. The clear counterpoint with clever changes of meter and rhythmical emphasis offers an intriguing insight into Holst's sound-world.