Review

William Pardus
Fanfare No.2 for Brass Choir and Timpani:
3-4-3-1-1 and timpani

Marlborough, NH, United States
Publisher: Creation Station
Date of Publication: 2005

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Brass Ensemble - 6+ brass (choir)

Fanfare No.2 is scored 3-4-3-1-1-and timpani. The energetic, easily performed piece is presented in three sections with a final coda. The music is straightforward to the point of the listener being able to turn away without missing much. The opening exclamation is homophonic, tonal (B-flat major), and loud. Short phrases and quartal harmonies abound. A contrasting section is more lyrical and utilizes hemiola and more subtle harmonies. In the development that follows, each instrumental choir is featured, although the melodic activity and rhythmic vitality is quite contained. The original homophonic textures reclaim their dominance to end the work. Pleasant and not overly taxing, Fanfare No.2 is a serviceable opening to an event without drawing a lot of attention to itself. Which, with a few noticeable exceptions, works by Copland, Dukas, and Tomasi come to mind, is pretty much the purpose of a fanfare. 

-Joel Elias
California State University, Sacramento