Composer

:

Arthur Bliss

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

1963

Publication Date

:

1979

First Performance

:

August 24, 1963

Average_duration

:

0:28

High Sheriff's Fanfare, F. 72 is a short orchestral piece composed by Arthur Bliss in 1955. The piece was commissioned by the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, for the opening of the new Aylesbury Civic Centre. The fanfare was premiered on 14 October 1955 by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham. The piece is composed of a single movement and lasts approximately one minute. It is scored for brass and percussion, with no strings. The fanfare begins with a bold and majestic brass fanfare, followed by a more subdued section featuring the percussion. The piece then builds to a climax with a return of the brass fanfare, before ending abruptly. The characteristics of High Sheriff's Fanfare are typical of Bliss's style, with its use of bold brass fanfares and rhythmic percussion. The piece is also notable for its brevity, with Bliss effectively conveying a sense of grandeur and occasion in just one minute. Overall, High Sheriff's Fanfare is a short but effective piece of music, perfectly suited for its intended purpose of opening a civic centre. Its bold and majestic brass fanfares make it a memorable and impressive piece, and it remains a popular choice for ceremonial occasions to this day.

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