Programme Note
This work, for solo tuba, was written for, and premiered by James Gourlay in 1994. Hans Nickel gave the first performance outside of England at the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Chicago in 1995.
Written for solo tuba, the title of the work derives from an old English word meaning a “call to arms” and Gregson interpreted this to be a “primeval call”, hence the opening gesture of the piece which is meant to imitate a tribal-like intensity. The piece is divided into three main sections and runs continuously. The first section is aggressive, nervous, and yet lyrical. The second section melodic and peaceful, but reaching a climax when the two themes (lyrical and rhythmic) are juxtaposed against each other. The last section is dance-like in character with changing time patterns which lead back to the very opening statement, the alarum of the piece. There are no time signatures and seldom bar lines. The rhythmic values are, however, strict and proportional. The notation appears less cluttered as a result and gives greater freedom to the soloist with regard to phrasing.
Listen
Reviews
Alarum, surprisingly, is the one unaccompanied work and is a tour-de-force for the instrument. The title is an old term for a call-to-arms … and is an almost aggressively vibrant fantasy.
Guy Rickards, Klassisk.com, March 2022
There are two lots of musical material competing here: vibrant fanfares and bottom of the register groans. There is some lyrical music in the middle eight, before the piece closes with an errant dance, full of spicy rhythms. A Call to Arms? More like a debate between two grumpy old men with some interjections from a lovelorn youth. It is a great study for solo tuba and would be better entitled Étude.
John France, MusicWeb International
Written: 1994
Instrumentation:
solo tuba
Genre: Instrumental
Publisher: Gramercy Music
Duration: 8'
First Performance: 13 February 1994
Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham, England
James Gourlay (tuba)