El Camino Real by Alfred Reed: A Review and Analysis of a Popular Wind Band Work
El Camino Real: A Latin Fantasy by Alfred Reed
If you are looking for a thrilling and colorful piece of music for concert band, you might want to check out El Camino Real by Alfred Reed. This work is based on the traditional Spanish guitar music that has captivated millions of listeners around the world. In this article, we will explore the composer, the piece, and the legacy of El Camino Real.
El Camino Real Alfred Reed 12.pdf
The Composer: Alfred Reed
Alfred Reed was one of the most prolific and respected composers of wind band music in the 20th century. He wrote over 200 works for various ensembles, ranging from symphonic to jazz to educational. He was also a conductor, educator, and publisher who influenced generations of musicians.
Biography
Alfred Reed was born in New York City in 1921. He showed an early interest in music and learned to play various instruments, including piano, violin, and clarinet. He joined the Air Force during World War II and served as a composer, arranger, and conductor for the Air Force Band. After the war, he studied at Juilliard School of Music and later earned his master's degree from Baylor University. He taught at several institutions, including University of Miami, where he founded the Department of Music Media and Industry. He retired in 1993 and died in 2005.
Style
Alfred Reed's style was influenced by many sources, including classical, folk, jazz, and pop music. He had a knack for writing catchy melodies, rich harmonies, and rhythmic vitality. He also had a keen sense of orchestration and balance, using a wide range of colors and textures. He often incorporated elements from different cultures and regions, such as Latin America, Asia, Europe, and America. He was especially fond of Spanish music, which he visited several times.
Works
Alfred Reed wrote many works for wind band that are considered standards in the repertoire. Some of his most famous pieces include Armenian Dances, Russian Christmas Music, A Festival Prelude, Second Suite for Band, Variations on a Korean Folk Song, Othello, The Hounds of Spring, Alleluia! Laudamus Te, and of course, El Camino Real. He also wrote symphonies, concertos, chamber music, choral music, and film music. He received many honors and awards for his contributions to music, such as the Edwin Franko Goldman Award, the Ostwald Award, the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Award, and the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors.
The Piece: El Camino Real
El Camino Real is one of Alfred Reed's most popular and exciting works for wind band. It is a Latin fantasy that showcases the fiery and brilliant style of Spanish guitar music.
Background
El Camino Real was commissioned by and dedicated to the 581st Air Force Band and its commander, Lt. Col. Ray E. Toler. It was composed in 1984 and completed in early 1985. The title means "The Royal Road" or "The King's Highway" in Spanish, and refers to the historical network of roads that connected the Spanish colonies in America. The subtitle is "A Latin Fantasy".
Structure
El Camino Real follows a traditional three-part pattern: fast-slow-fast. The first section is based on the dance form known as the Jota, which originated in Aragon, Spain. It has a lively tempo and a triple meter. The second section is derived from the Fandango, which originated in Andalusia, Spain. It has a slower tempo and a duple meter. The third section is a recapitulation of the Jota, with some variations and additions.
Themes
The music of El Camino Real is based on a series of chord progressions that are common to many generations of Spanish guitarists. These progressions create a distinctive Spanish sound and mood. The melodies are partly derived from these harmonies, using a technique known as "melodizing of harmony". Some of the melodies are also based on folk tunes or original themes by Reed.
Instruments
El Camino Real uses a large wind band with a variety of instruments, including woodwinds, brass, percussion, and keyboards. Some of the instruments play solos or featured parts, such as the flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and piano. The percussion section plays an important role in creating the rhythmic drive and the Latin flavor of the piece. Some of the percussion instruments used are snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, castanets, maracas, claves, wood block, cowbell, timpani, xylophone, marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, chimes, and celesta.
Performance
El Camino Real is a challenging and rewarding piece to play for both performers and conductors. It requires technical skill, musical expression, and ensemble coordination. Some of the challenges include fast passages, syncopated rhythms, complex meters, dynamic contrasts, articulation changes, balance issues, intonation issues, and tempo changes. Some of the tips for playing this piece are to practice slowly and gradually increase the speed, listen carefully to other parts and blend well, follow the conductor's cues and gestures, pay attention to the markings and instructions in the score and parts, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy the music.
The Legacy: El Camino Real
El Camino Real is one of Alfred Reed's most successful and beloved works for wind band. It has been performed by many bands around the world and has received acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
Reception
El Camino Real was well received by both the commissioning band and the public when it premiered on April 15th 1985 in Sarasota Florida with Lt Col Ray E Toler conducting The piece received enthusiastic applause and praise from the listeners who were impressed by its energy and beauty The piece also received positive reviews from music journals and magazines who praised its craftsmanship and originality For example The Instrumentalist magazine wrote that El Camino Real is "a brilliant work that captures the essence of Spanish music" and that it is "a welcome addition to the wind band literature"
Recordings
Influence
El Camino Real has been an influential and inspirational work for many composers and musicians who have admired its style and quality. Some of the composers who have written works inspired by El Camino Real include Robert W. Smith, James Barnes, David Holsinger, Frank Ticheli, and John Mackey. Some of the musicians who have performed or conducted El Camino Real include H. Robert Reynolds, Ray Cramer, Craig Kirchhoff, Mallory Thompson, and Kevin Sedatole.
Conclusion: El Camino Real by Alfred Reed
In conclusion, El Camino Real is a masterpiece of wind band music by Alfred Reed. It is a Latin fantasy that showcases the traditional Spanish guitar music that has captivated millions of listeners around the world. It is a challenging and rewarding piece to play for both performers and conductors. It is a successful and beloved piece that has been performed by many bands around the world and has received acclaim from critics and audiences alike. It is an influential and inspirational piece that has inspired many composers and musicians to write and play similar works.
If you are a fan of wind band music, you should definitely listen to El Camino Real by Alfred Reed. It is a piece that will make you feel the passion and beauty of Spanish music. It is a piece that will make you want to dance and sing along. It is a piece that will make you happy and proud to be a part of the wind band community.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about El Camino Real by Alfred Reed:
Q1: What does El Camino Real mean?
A1: El Camino Real means "The Royal Road" or "The King's Highway" in Spanish. It refers to the historical network of roads that connected the Spanish colonies in America.
Q2: What is the difference between the Jota and the Fandango?
A2: The Jota and the Fandango are two types of Spanish dances that are used in El Camino Real. The Jota originated in Aragon, Spain, and has a lively tempo and a triple meter. The Fandango originated in Andalusia, Spain, and has a slower tempo and a duple meter.
Q3: How long does it take to play El Camino Real?
A3: El Camino Real takes about 10 minutes to play. The first section (Jota) takes about 4 minutes, the second section (Fandango) takes about 3 minutes, and the third section (Jota) takes about 3 minutes.
Q4: Where can I find the score and parts for El Camino Real?
A4: You can find the score and parts for El Camino Real from various publishers and distributors, such as Hal Leonard, C.L. Barnhouse, Sheet Music Plus, JW Pepper, Stanton's Sheet Music, etc. You can also find them online from various websites, such as IMSLP, Wind Band Music Library, Wind Repertory Project, etc.
Q5: What are some other famous works by Alfred Reed?
A5: Some other famous works by Alfred Reed include Armenian Dances, Russian Christmas Music, A Festival Prelude, Second Suite for Band, Variations on a Korean Folk Song, Othello, The Hounds of Spring, Alleluia! Laudamus Te, etc. 71b2f0854b