Published: March No. 2 “Democrazia”

Here’s the first release of Ponchielli’s band works!
Today we present March No. 2 “Democrazia,” Op. 166, which you can find in the Archive section.

This piece likely dates back to the years when Ponchielli was leading the Piacenza Band. Neither its composition date nor its first performance is known.

The march is written in 6/8 time, giving it a playful and festive character. Its structure follows the typical parade march format, with an opening section alternating two musical ideas in an A (in E♭) – B (refrain, in B♭) – A layout. This is followed by the refrained Trio (in A♭), more lyrical in character, and then a return to the opening section.

It should be noted that in the manuscript, the 1st trumpet part is missing; on the first page, its staff is crossed out, with the horn part provided instead. As in other marches, the 1st trumpet part often doubled the E♭ clarinet part an octave lower.

Amilcare Ponchielli Study Center
Giuseppe Riccucci