Arthur Pryor - Blue Bells of Scotland for Trombone and Band (1897)

Arthur Willard Pryor (September 22, 1869 - June 18, 1942) was a trombone virtuoso, bandleader, and soloist with the Sousa Band. He was a prolific composer of band music, his best-known composition being "The Whistler and His Dog".
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Blue Bells of Scotland for Trombone and Band (c. 1897)
Joseph Alessi, trombone and the University of New Mexico Wind Symphony conducted by Eric Rombach-Kendall
The Bluebells of Scotland is the usual modern name for a Scottish folksong (Roud # 13849). It was written by Dora Jordan (1761-1816), an English actress and writer. First published in 1801.
Pryor probably composed the piece around 1897 and released it around 1899, as the first iteration of the song arranged for an instrument is a Berliner record recorded by him in 1897, played as a simple tune with few variations. The first band arrangement (and the first virtuosistic one) is also by him, accompanied by Sousa's band (of which he was a member), recorded in 1900.
This version is technically challenging and allows the soloist to show off a flowing legato while, in different places, requiring some difficult jumps. The sheer speed and volume of notes also pose a significant challenge. It is in theme and variation form and opens with a cadenza-like introduction. After the theme, it moves to the allegro section, in which the variations begin. Variation one involves triplets, while variation two involves syncopated sixteenth-eighth note rhythms. The cadenza that follows demonstrates the performer's range; jumping about three and a half octaves from high C (an octave above middle C) to pedal A flat and G, for example. The vivace finale brings all these techniques into one, requiring the trombonist to exhibit advanced range, legato, double tonguing, and flexibility. Thus, the piece is limited to the best trombonists, although there have been numerous recordings by such famed players as Joseph Alessi, Christian Lindberg and Ian Bousfield. It is often considered to be the trombone (and euphonium) equivalent (in terms of required mastery of the instrument) to the Carnival of Venice for trumpet or cornet, by Jean-Baptiste Arban.
Joseph Haydn wrote a piano trio accompaniment for this song (Hob. XXXIa: 176). George Eugene Griffin incorporated the tune into his Piano Concerto No. 1 in 1797, which became a popular success in England. It was published in 1805.
O where and O where does your highland laddie dwell;
O where and O where does your highland laddie dwell;
He dwells in merry Scotland where the bluebells sweetly smell,
And all in my heart I love my laddie well'
A broadside ballad version (words only) from slightly later in the 19th century makes references to George III and the Napoleonic wars:
Oh, where, and oh, where is my highland laddie gone,
Oh, where, and oh, where is my highland laddie gone,
He's gone to fight the French, for King George upon the throne,
And it's oh in my heart I wish him safe at home.
The bluebell is a flower; see Common bluebell and Campanula rotundifolia.

[@FishMonger849]

Joe Alessi’s playing is out of this world!

[@robert-skibelo]

Sensational. Thank you!

[@donaldauguston9740]

Well, that was fun! Thank you, DA

[@thechuckjosechannel.2702]

Blue Bells forever.

[@steveegallo3384]

A Treasure.....and a Joy to behold.....Forever! Cheers from Mexico City!