Most summers I like to visit my dear friends, Peter, Roberta & Princess Grainne (the soft-coated Irish Wheaten terrier!), who live about half an hour to the south of Bremen, in the village of Bramstedt, North Germany. Last year, as I was walking down the straight, flat road across the fields, on my way to Bramstedt 'International' (actually just a platform on the main railway line!), this little march tune came to me, rather in th... (more)

Most summers I like to visit my dear friends, Peter, Roberta & Princess Grainne (the soft-coated Irish Wheaten terrier!), who live about half an hour to the south of Bremen, in the village of Bramstedt, North Germany. Last year, as I was walking down the straight, flat road across the fields, on my way to Bramstedt 'International' (actually just a platform on the main railway line!), this little march tune came to me, rather in the manner of a Beethoven sketch - but whereas he jotted it down in a notebook, I hummed it into my mobile phone's voice memo!

In April 2003, I was one of three local composers to share a lunchtime recital where some of our works were performed. Having an excellent flautist and clarinetist at my disposal, I decided to use the tune for the two of them, with me at the piano. It is very much intended as a tongue-in-cheek, fun German march, with a direct lift from a famous German folksong in the trio, and another brief Germanic reference at the end!

The accompanying MP3 file is a recording of the work's premiere at Plymouth City Museum, with Anne Kimber (flute) and Peter Cigleris (clarinet).

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews for this score

The German Spirit is Captured
I may not be German, but this march does strike me as being the epitome of the German spirit. It's so playful and joyous- much like a German festival. The quotation of Das Lied der Deutschen was a true coup de grace. Overall, it was excellent.

Luke Waddell

What a delight! A Brit hits the German soul!
Yes, truly, you hit it right like a nail on its head, as if you were yourself a German. Delightful the joy. Not even I myself could do it, and that given the fact that I am myself exactly - from Bremen! Diepholz, Bassum, etc. are familiar to me. And to sneak in "Muss i denn, muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus," that was really great. I enjoyed also your "Samba alla turca." really amazing, your freshness and spontaneity when composing. Congratulations!

Michael Drewes