Prince of Denmark’s March

Jeremiah Clarke was an English Baroque composer who lived c. 1674-1707. He was an organist who studied with John Blow at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and later became organist there himself, as well as at the Chapel Royal. He is best known for his piece Prince of Denmark’s March (commonly referred to also as Trumpet Voluntary), which was originally composed for harpsichord. It was first published in 1700 as part of A Choice Collection of Ayres, by various composers. Prince of Denmark’s March gained worldwide fame 281 years after it was composed when Lady Diana Spencer walked down the aisle as it was played at her Royal Wedding ceremony to Prince Charles in 1981. It became ubiquitous at wedding ceremonies for decades after, and has no doubt assisted to line the pocketbooks of working trumpet players more than any other piece since. Prince of Denmark’s March has been arranged for just about every orchestration imaginable, though solo trumpet and organ remains its most often performed instrumentation. This transcription is based on the recording made by trumpeter Maurice André and organist Jane Parker-Smith in 1977 for the album “Music for Trumpet and Organ” released the following year.

For Piccolo Trumpet in A and Organ.