The little big Debussy”contains a small collection of pieces including the transcription for wind band of two of the most famous pieces for piano composed by Debussy in 1908; they both were written in the form of ragtime, the musical style considered the first cell of the following jazz tradition. Apart from being two masterpieces themselves, they testify for the first time, by one of the most “cultured “ exponent of the European musical tradition, a particular interest for the Afro-American musical culture, an absolute novelty imported from America. Debussy knew it well thanks to the cabaret where he used to play in Paris. An other aspect shared by the two pieces concerned is that they are addressed to the child-hood: “The little negro” was in fact included in “La boite a joujoux” ballet, set in a toy factory, while “Galliwogg’s Cakewalk” is taken from the famous “Children’s corner” for piano dedicated to his loved daughter Claude-Emma called “Chouchoux” who was nine year old at that time. Its name is due to a particular chubby child representing a small black American called Golliwoog in fashion at that time.

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Famous excerpt from a piano sonata L.v. Beethoven, arranged for band. Song by the character "incantatory" very impressive and moving in a new outfit and exciting in which you can try in your concerts.

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The famous song by Umberto Bindi with the text by Gino Paoli, is reproposed in an engaging transcription and arrangement for band curated by Maestro Giampaolo Lazzeri

"My world", translated into English by Carl Sigman with the title You're my world and sung by famous actors such as C. Black, D. Warwick, T. Jones Daryl Braithwaite, Guys'n'Doll and Helen Reddy , reaches first place in the singles charts in Australia (twice), Belgium, Mexico, Holland, South Africa and the United Kingdom. In the French and Spanish versions, both sung by Richard Anthony, My World also reaches first place in France and Spain.

Medley with very famous  Beethoven's songs

Medium difficulty, time 5'50''

1) Fifth Symphony (beginning)

2) For Elisa

3) Romance in F

4) Pastoral care

5) Hymn to joy

Transcription of the hymn to Vittorio Alfieri composed around 1860 by Giuseppe Cotti author of the music and Giuseppe Regaldi author of the text.

The hymn was transcribed for band by Maestro Mirko Caruso (from the original version for piano and choir), on the occasion of the 1st Competition for Instrumentation for Band "Giuseppe Cotti" city of Asti. The transcription was rewarded.

It is a beautiful hymn with a Verdi flavor, which has an important historical value.

Presentation - PARADE & DANCES - music by L. v. Beethoven (1770-1827)

 Many Beethovenian works were born from an external proposal, the so-called occasional music that is destined for a particular event or manifestation. The musician jealously guarded these songs, they are music composed for the Harmoniemusik of that time, that is to the military bands or instrumental groups that had this type of staff:

Small flute - 2 Oboes - 2 Clarinets (in A and C) - 2 Horns (in D and F) - Trumpet (in F and D) - Large drum (Bass drum) - Military drum (snare) - Triangle - Cinelli (cymbals) - 2 Bassoons - Bassoon.

 The MARCIA in F major (WoO20) is militarily marked as "Zapfenstreich" (The Retreat). It dates back to 1810 and this editorial transcription, for the current band staff, for uniformity with the other songs has been carried a tone below in Eb major. It is a march in bipartite form, without Trio, and alternates the rings on the brass harmonics with the combined melodic movement of the woods, with riveted insertions distributed in various and pleasant harmonic progressions. It shows a moderate Allegro, very rhythmic, with different dynamic contrasts, all done in cut time.

 To this march introduction I added two dance movements: the Polonaise and the Ecossaise, also from 1810, which have the same original instrumental. They are compositions of "music for use" for wind and percussion instruments, they refer to many compositions of this genre. Beethoven has left us over a hundred minuets, ländler, amusements, contradictions etc. These are light songs, intended for balls, entertainment and parties, largely composed for the Association of retired artists in Vienna, towards which Beethoven always showed his solidarity. This shows us how the great musician was not always considered "the hero" the "titan" "the giant" etc. but also and above all a simple man, deeply human and sensitive to every social aspect.

 The POLONAISE in Eb major (WoO21) originally in D major composed in the summer of 1810, transported here half a tone above. The original is kept in the Library of the Paris Conservatory of Music and bears the inscription: "for Beethoven in Baden" referring to the place famous for its thermal waters, where the musician stayed during the summer. It is likely that this "3/4 Polonaise" dance was performed by a local military band to entertain guests. It has a simple but festive introduction, even the serene succession of melodies shows the graceful movement of the dance. The final TAIL is interesting where the military character is affirmed, with rings that lead to the final thematic recovery, where the previous rhythms merge into a beautiful sound ensemble. The Polonaise ends with a typical cadence that stops on the upbeat, in suspension.

 ECOSSAISE in Eb major (WoW22) is found in the same manuscript of 1810 together with the Polonaise and is also in D major, transported here in Eb. It is part of a series of dances commissioned in Beethoven by Archduke Rodolfo, for a party at Laxenburg Castle, near Vienna, on the occasion of the visit of Emperor Francis I with his wife Maria Ludovica.

The lively Allegro gives the exact characteristic of this sliding dance. The repetition of the melodic and rhythmic tune, sometimes descending and ascending, is interspersed with pleasantly sliding ladders, also ascending and descending. The song is in tripartite form and the TRIO rings in various dynamics, to give the military characteristic and announce the resumption of Da Capo. In repetition it is possible to respect the refrains or not, moving suddenly to the END of the piece, in a brilliant and joyful way.

-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------------- PARADE & DANCES is the transcription and adaptation of songs that allow us to present a less busy and popular Beethoven than in these "minor" music ”Offers us a concrete and convincing testimony of his compositional skill. Beethoven's music is an invitation to be well together, it refers to universal brotherhood, the one that the musician recommended to humanity in that kind of spiritual testament which is the final chorus of the "IX Symphony". The famous "JOY" melody in its simplicity is of extraordinary effectiveness, it represents the same motivation that accompanies the executive proposal of these pleasant melodies in the form of MARCIA, POLONAISE and ECOSSAISE.

I kept in mind that it is music originally conceived for the 15 parts of a Harmoniemusik of the early nineteenth century. As for the transcription, that is, the adaptation to a complete band staff (the modern and current one) I did not want to weigh down

Beautiful Ave Maria composed by L. Pavarotti and V. Benvenuti

in an engaging Wind Band arrangement by Giampaolo Lazzeri

Ave Maria / Many Years Before

Song composed by Astor Piazzolla in the instrumented version for Wind Band and  Soprano by Giampaolo Lazzeri.

Extremely lyrical and highly suggestive, now also available for musical bands.

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Composed by E.A. Mario in memory of the Unknown Soldier, in the version for Band instrumented by Giampaolo Lazzeri.