Not Pomp and Circumstance: Fifteen Lesser-Known Marches by British Composers.

Everyone knows the big four British Marches. There’s Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance No.1 in D major, better known as Land of Hope and Glory. Almost as popular is the P&C No.4 in G major. This was played at Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding in 1981.  And then there is William Walton’s Crown Imperial March written in 1937 for the Coronation of George VI. And finally, ever since the film The Dam Busters was released in 1955, Eric Coates march has been popular in the concert hall, RAF flypasts and national events. However, there are many more good marches in the catalogues of British Composers. I list 15 of the best. I accept that listeners may not consider them as masterpieces. But they are all enjoyable, sometimes inspiring and always well written.  All have been recorded and many can be found on YouTube. 

William Alwyn: Festival March (1951)

Arthur Bliss: March from Things to Come (1935)

Frank Bridge: Coronation March (1911)

Eric Coates:  Holborn March (1950)

Cedric Thorpe Davie: Royal Mile Coronation March (1953)

Edward Elgar: Coronation March (1911)

Edward German: Coronation March (1911)

Gustav Holst: Marching Song from Two Songs without Words (1906)

John Ireland: Epic March (1942)

Paul Lewis: Festival of London March (1971)

Carlo Martelli: Jubilee March (2002) n.b. A brilliant pastiche!

Charles Hubert Hastings Parry: Bridal March from The Birds (1883)

Charles Villiers Stanford: A Welcome March (1903)

Ralph Vaughan Williams: March Past of the Kitchen Utensils from The Wasps (1909)

William Walton:  Battle of Britain Suite - March Introduction, March and Siegfried Music (1969)