Charles Villiers Stanford: A Welcome March for orchestra (1903)

We are rapidly getting to the stage where virtually all of Charles Villiers Stanford’s orchestral music has been recorded, with a least one version of most pieces. There are still several omissions, however the new release from Hyperion fills in a few gaps. It is a situation that would have been unimaginable some 30 years ago.

It seems that virtually everything that is known about Stanford’s A Welcome March is written in the CD liner notes by Jeremy Dibble.  In fact, until reading about this new disc, I had never even heard of the work. I concede that it is mentioned in Dibble’s biography of the composer, (which I must have read, but not allowed it to sink in!). So, I am beholden to Jeremy Dibble for the substance of this post.

A Welcome March (céad míle fáilte, ‘A Hundred Thousand Welcomes’) was composed in 1903 to commemorate a State Visit made by Edward VII to Ireland between 21 July and 1 August of that year. At that time, the country was not partitioned and he was monarch of the entire Island. Stanford’s march was dedicated to the King (with permission). Dibble outlines Edward’s Royal Progress which included events held at Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College. The Party then visited Belfast, Bangor, Londonderry and eventually embarking on the Royal Yacht bound for Queenstown (Cobh) and finally Cork.

Dibble states that the intention of the March was to provide a new work for a variety of regimental bands, welcoming the King as he visited these places. It seems that the original scoring was for ‘military band’, however Stanford did make a version for full orchestra shortly before the King’s arrival. It is this version that is heard on the CD.

The work almost out Elgar’s Elgar. In fact, it could be described as an ‘Irish’ Pomp and Circumstance. Not quite as bombastic as Land of Hope and Glory it is nevertheless a powerful expression of confidence during the Edwardian era.  A forceful march theme is balanced by a gorgeous Irish-infused tune in the ‘trio.’  This latter would bring a tear to a glass eye!  The March includes allusions to well-known Irish tunes such as ‘Oh for the swords of former time’ and ‘Let Erin remember the days of old’.

Charles Villiers Stanford’s A Welcome March for orchestra can be heard on Hyperion CDA 68283. Other works on this CD include the Overture in the style of a tragedy, Verdun: Solemn March and Heroic Episode, the cantata for female voices, Fairy Day and A Song of Agincourt. The Ulster Orchestra is conducted by Howard Shelley. The cantata is performed by Codetta.