Cat No. JM41041
Price £29.95
Arranger: William Broughton
Categories: LIGHT CONCERT MUSIC, SALVATIONIST MUSIC

Comments by Simon Birkett -

This arrangement of the spiritual Deep River has been composed in the style of the famous Count Basie. The tempo indication on the original manuscript states “the slower, the better! “, and therein lies possibly the most difficult aspect of this piece — the ability to keep the tempo slow enough!

There is nothing technically difficult in the notes themselves, but for the arrangement to work effectively, the ensemble must be very tight with the parts moving in rhythmic unison. Avoid the temptation to rush, especially in the basses. Good dynamics are essential, and the opportunity to show the maximum contrast comes right from the first bar. Also, individual parts must make sure that they always play at the dynamics on their part as various sections play at different dynamics simultaneonsly (see letter D for example).

Ensure that there is a good contrast when reaching section H as the straight approach is adopted (especially in the bass quavers) before returning to the swing approach at bar 66.