This mongrel needs some explanation. I received a request to orchestrate Lanner’s Op75A march for 19th century wind orchestra I thought it a very obscure piece to request but apparently Lanner used a favourite march tune from the opera. I did the orchestration only to find that Lanner hadn’t used the favourite tune after all. Maybe the fact that the piece probably hadn’t been played since 1834 should have aroused suspicion.

I found the “right” tune but it was split up by bits of recitative and never played complete. I rearranged the bits to make a complete whole and tacked it on to the front of the Lanner march. This piece is the result.

Up to about 1:25 it’s my assembly of bits of Bellini
There are three bars of me (oboe solo)
Then comes my orchestration of Lanner’s arrangement of Bellini.

Simple