Le Basque

This famous one-minute piece was composed by French viol player Marin Marais. The viol (also called viola da gamba, an Italian expression indicating that the instrument is meant to rest vertically on one's leg) is an old instrument that was primarily used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. It is similar to a cello, but it has six strings and it is fretted like a guitar.

“Le Basque” is a quick and joyful dance; those who speak French will probably observe that in France the phrase “courir comme un Basque” means “to run like a hare” (literally, “like a Basque”).  This piece was made famous as a horn encore by Dennis Brain.

Arranged here for Leelanee Sterrett and the Princeton Symphonic Brass.

Instrumentation: 423.11 brass ensemble and Solo Horn

• Solo Horn in F
• Piccolo Trumpet 1 in B♭
• Trumpet 2 & 3 in B♭
• Flugelhorn
• 2 Horns in F
• 2 Trombones
• Bass Trombone
• Euphonium
• Tuba
• Percussion 1 – Snare Drum
• Percussion 2 – Bass Drum and Glockenspiel