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John Herndon’s arrangement of Alla Hornpipe, the most famous and recognizable movement from Water Music, captures the energy, style, and ebullience of Handel’s original. The title Alla Hornpipe is a reference to a lively, simple, and rustic British dance which, in the hands of Handel, becomes an intricate baroque masterpiece. Characterized by florid ornamentation, energetic syncopation, and swelling contrapuntal lines, this arrangement will bring joy and flair to any concert program.
This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• Glockenspiel
• Xylophone
• 2 vibraphones
• 2 or 4 marimbas*—(3) 4-octaves, (1) 4.3-octave (low A)
*This piece can be performed on 2 marimbas, with M1 sharing an instrument with M3 and M2 sharing an instrument with M4.
John Herndon’s arrangement of the second movement of Handel’s second “Water Music” suite is written for eight players (four on two marimbas, and one each on glockenspiel, xylophone, and two vibraphones). The score includes a clear setup diagram, as well as a disc that includes a recording and parts. The movement is in a clear ABA form, moving from D-major to B-minor and back again. This repetition will help younger mallet players learn their parts quickly, as the material is fairly limited. Throughout most of the arrangement, the xylophone and first marimba parts have the most challenging material. However, every part is well within the range of a strong high-school percussionist, which is convenient, as the required instruments are common in many high schools.
I especially like the arranger’s sensitivity to dynamic contrast, as he takes into consideration the sonic tendencies of the instruments. He often notates glockenspiel and xylophone softer than the other instruments, although I believe the end result should be a balanced ensemble. All parts are playable with two mallets, and the marimba parts all utilize rolls. Vibraphone pedaling is not indicated, leaving the interpretation up to the performer and/or instructor. I recommend this piece for a strong high school or undergraduate mallet ensemble.
—Joseph Van Hassel
Percussive Notes
Vol. 58, No. 1, February 2020
John Herndon’s arrangement of Alla Hornpipe, the most famous and recognizable movement from Water Music, captures the energy, style, and ebullience of Handel’s original. The title Alla Hornpipe is a reference to a lively, simple, and rustic British dance which, in the hands of Handel, becomes an intricate baroque masterpiece. Characterized by florid ornamentation, energetic syncopation, and swelling contrapuntal lines, this arrangement will bring joy and flair to any concert program.
This piece comes as a professionally printed and bound score and includes individual parts in PDF format for printing or for tablet viewing.
• Glockenspiel
• Xylophone
• 2 vibraphones
• 2 or 4 marimbas*—(3) 4-octaves, (1) 4.3-octave (low A)
*This piece can be performed on 2 marimbas, with M1 sharing an instrument with M3 and M2 sharing an instrument with M4.
John Herndon’s arrangement of the second movement of Handel’s second “Water Music” suite is written for eight players (four on two marimbas, and one each on glockenspiel, xylophone, and two vibraphones). The score includes a clear setup diagram, as well as a disc that includes a recording and parts. The movement is in a clear ABA form, moving from D-major to B-minor and back again. This repetition will help younger mallet players learn their parts quickly, as the material is fairly limited. Throughout most of the arrangement, the xylophone and first marimba parts have the most challenging material. However, every part is well within the range of a strong high-school percussionist, which is convenient, as the required instruments are common in many high schools.
I especially like the arranger’s sensitivity to dynamic contrast, as he takes into consideration the sonic tendencies of the instruments. He often notates glockenspiel and xylophone softer than the other instruments, although I believe the end result should be a balanced ensemble. All parts are playable with two mallets, and the marimba parts all utilize rolls. Vibraphone pedaling is not indicated, leaving the interpretation up to the performer and/or instructor. I recommend this piece for a strong high school or undergraduate mallet ensemble.
—Joseph Van Hassel
Percussive Notes
Vol. 58, No. 1, February 2020
