DANIEL BASFORD - COMPOSER & ARRANGER

The Siege of Kenilworth

2011. Published by Hafabra Music. Duration 11' approx.

(Grade III+)

 

I. The Castle

II. The Rebels' Banquet

III. The Siege

IV. Epilogue: The Dictum of Kenilworth

 

CD Recording - Police band of Baden-Württemberg, cond. Toni Scholl

 

 

Scoring

Piccolo, Flutes 1 & 2

Oboe

Clarinets 1, 2, 3, Bass Clarinet 

2 Bassoons (2nd ad lib.)

Alto Saxophones 1 & 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone

 

4 Horns

3 Trumpets

3 Trombones (3 = bass)

Euphoniums/Baritones (T.C./B.C.)

Tubas

 

Timpani (3 drums)

Percussion (3 players): Tubular Bells, Glockenspiel,  Xylophone, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tenor Drum, 2 Tom-toms (hi/med.-hi), Tam-tam, Triangle, Tambourine, Pair Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Woodblock, Anvil (can be doubled ad lib.)

 

Programme Note

The Siege of Kenilworth was a battle that took place at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire in 1266 as part of the Second Barons’ War. After the death of his father at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, Simon VI de Montford agreed to surrender the castle to Henry III. However, the castle was being held by Baron loyalist rebels who rejected de Montford’s terms of surrender. Prince Edward (later King Edward I) led a six-month siege of the castle. In December 1266, the rebels agreed a truce due to many suffering from illness and their running out of supplies. This resulted in the creation of a treaty called the Dictum of Kenilworth, resulting in reconciliation between the Royalists and the Baronist rebels.

 

The music is more pictorial and cinematographic rather than portraying individuals and their actions. The interval of a perfect fifth, suggesting plainchant, is prominent throughout the work. The opening movement is a representation of the castle itself: imposing and majestic. In movement two we move inside the castle to witness the rebels having a feast in celebration of taking hold of the fortress. The third movement, following a foreboding introduction, depicts the siege. The army of Prince Edward approaches from the distance: trumpets blare as the two opposing forces meet to battle inside and outside the castle. As the battle nears its climax, the music leads straight into the final movement where bells in the castle tower toll as the Dictum of Kenilworth is announced and peace and order is ceremoniously restored.