Amphibiosity (Concert Band - Score and Parts) - Ellerby, Martin

Amphibiosity was commissioned by the Royal Marines Band Service with funds made available by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charities for the 2014 Mountbatten Festival of Music held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.The work was written in celebration of the 350th Anniversary of the Royal Marines Corps and utilises many familiar tunes associated with them. Although the piece is cast in one continuous movement it falls into an introductions, ten sections and a coda.The Introduction sets the tone with the Amphibiosity mofif - a call to attention, it is of serious intent. During the course of the work it returns as a point of reference. The first section makes use of The Globe and Laurel (Original Regimental Slow March of the Royal Marines, the tune (Early One Morning) making an apt appearance, it has been played in the minor and like much of the quotational material in the piece is of a referenced nature being symbolic in meaning. However it soon turns to the major to provide a less sombre aspect to the introduction proper. There follows an interlude, the Amphibiosity motif returning rather like a ritornello to give cohesion to the structure and act as a point of change.Section two presents Sarie Marais (Regimental March Past of the Royal Marine Commandoes), the first half of the tune used as a fugal subject (placed in the minor) and as such providing the impression of a building up of activity. The ensuing third section is light-hearted commencing with an original hornpipe leading into the fourth section, Seascape, representing the fleet at sea. Another interlude follows, the Amphibiosity motif reappearing as a woodwind fanfare making way for the fifth section. Anticipation, serious matters lie ahead, there is trouble in the papers, the Corps will be placed on standby.Section six is subtitled Preparation, all hands-on deck, time to get set: A Life on the Ocean Wave (Regimental March of the Royal Marines) is alluded to. On reaching section seven, Assault, the landing goes ahead. Within this section there is an internal interlude reflecting on things past: other men have been in this position before. It is a taut and trying situation, training must pay off!Section eight is named Victory, but not gung-ho, and here the Seascape music is revisited. The penultimate ninth section is called Rememberances, although all made it this time, it was not always the case in times past and the Naval Hymn (Eternal Father) provides a moment of tribute to the fallen of previous generations.The Finale (section ten) delivers By Land and Sea (Slow March of the Royal Marines) in a bright and positive orchestration, the mood being celebratory. In a brief Code, the Amphibiosity motif makes a last triumphant appearance.Duration: 10.30

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