Cecil Armstrong Gibbs

Prelude Andante & Finale

Orchestration:
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Violin 3, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
Known principally for his solo songs, Armstrong Gibbs also wrote music for the stage, sacred works, three symphonies and a substantial amount of chamber music, much of which remains unpublished. Armstrong Gibbs was born near Chelmsford in Essex and spent much of his busy life there when he was not touring the country adjudicating at festivals, conducting and composing.
The Prelude, Andante and Finale was written in 1946 originally as a string orchestra work but the manuscript was lost and the only surviving copy is the composer's own arrangement for piano duet. Lawrence Ashmore has recreated a string orchestra version using Gibbs' original forces. He writes: 'It was obvious that the composer had expected the violin parts to be divided in three through a large part of the second and third movements; this is a feature of his writing that occurs elsewhere in such works as his 'Threnody for Walterde la Mare'. I would recommend therefore that one third of both first and second violins become third violins when required. When the piece returns to firsts and seconds only, they should revert to their original sections.' Consequently, the Violi n 3 part is not printed separately but is shown in both the Violin 1 and Violin 2 parts.
Duration: 18 minutes
A PACK comprises one full score and string parts 4/4/3/4/2.