The Water is Wide

The Water Is Wide is a beloved folk melody from Britain that has also found its place as a hymn ("Though I May Speak With Bravest Fire"). This arrangement treats the tune with respect, first featuring a duo of flugelhorns in simple poignant counterpoint, and then it presents the melody several more times: Once with a change of key and hymn-like harmonies, another features a horn solo with sparse accompaniment, and the last time presents another key change and deeper sonorities for the full ensemble. There is a gentle concluding passage that prolongs the reflective mood and brings a feeling of quiet resolution.

This parallels the dual nature of the composition, one that is perfect both for worship settings and for concerts, recitals and gigs. An ideal instrumentation would be conical brass — flugels, horns, euphoniums, tuba — but it is effective also with trumpets and trombones, which is how it was originally performed.

Thanks must go to Stephen Moise for asking for this tune to be performed at his wedding in October 2006. This arrangement was written for that happy occasion.