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El Certámen de Jaén - an authentic Spanish march by L. Suárez, arranged for three banjos by M. Moss
So I was researching on early fretted instrument ensemble traditions in the late 19th century and I stumbled upon this little gem. This obscure piece of music, written as a piano reduction to be arranged for ensembles (presumably marching bands) is a delightful march in the Spanish style written by a music teacher and businessman who worked in Jaén, Spain, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The title seems to indicate that he organised some sort of musical pageant or contest in his hometown, though I have not found any further information on this subject. He was apparently a representative of Heinrich Zimmermann of Leipzig, one of the foremost German musical instrument makers at the time.
When I saw the score I felt it would make a great ensemble piece for banjos, so I arranged it for one first banjo, one second banjo and one cello banjo. The piece is surprisingly effective, with a nice exotic sound, and my arrangement only requires knowledge of a few easy chords in the keys of G and C.
I would like to dedicate this performance and arrangement to the under-appreciated banjo legend, Alan V. Middleton, and to his Spanish alter-ego "Alonso Medio", the pen name under which he published a number of books and music for the guitar.
Views: 110
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Comment by thereallynicelady on May 9, 2013 at 17:30
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Very catchy. I can see 3 banjoists marching along to the delight of the crowd. What about a drummer aswell to keep everyone in time and to add to the festive occasion? Yes, I like this one. (I'd also like to see Mike Moss (plus cat) again on these videos. We're missing the added personal touch and interaction with the banjo.
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Comment by German David Patarroyo on May 10, 2013 at 0:10
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Nice tune Mike!...a little spelling quote (certamen). I am looking for evidences of the BGM influence in Latin America. Therefore, I am compelling a list of digital libraries where I eventually I could find pieces of those times.
There are two interesting websites I would like to share in case you want explore in Iberoamerican roads...I am walking in that sense :)
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Comment by thereallyniceman on May 10, 2013 at 15:09
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Nice sound again Mike for a simple tune.
I can't make out if you have a cello banjo or an electronic equivalent there Mike. BAS struck again?????
Have you recruited the numerous Moss Bros again to play in this recording???
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Comment by Mike Moss on May 10, 2013 at 15:56
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Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Reallynice and German David. BAS has not struck again, I just recorded the CB part on my regular 'jo and shifted the pitch down one octave using free software! Definitely beats having to buy a bulky and expensive cello banjo ;-)
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Comment by marc dalmasso on May 11, 2013 at 15:34
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Donc il était agent Zimmerman ( à Jaen ) ; pun working in French ; don ' t know in English ;
Leipzig was a great place for the piano ' factory & Zimmerman was still made in Leipzig when the wall fell ; i believe today also ;btw, my father own a beautiful Leipzig_1936 baby grand Förster piano but today they are made in Taiwan or China . Good choice , Mike , beautiful tune & well played
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Comment by Richard William Ineson on May 11, 2013 at 16:44
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Very Spanish indeed, I could almost feel the heat and hear the roar of the crowd watching the bullfight. A more moody solo with a Spanish feel to it, is En Camino by Frank Lawes, Spanish music seems drawn to the banjo; very well played, and congratulations to your brothers for their sympathetic and stirring accompaniment.
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