March No. 2, Democrazia, Op. 166

March No. 2, Democrazia, Op. 166 most likely dates from the years when Amilcare Ponchielli was serving as conductor of the band in Piacenza. Neither the exact date of composition nor that of the first performance is known.

The piece is written in 6/8 time, which gives it a lively and festive character. Its structure follows the typical pattern of a parade march: an opening section in which two musical ideas alternate according to the scheme A (in E♭) – B (with repeat, in B♭) – A. This is followed by a Trio, also repeated (in A♭), of a more lyrical and cantabile character, and finally the return of the first section.

It should be noted that the 1st trumpet part is missing from the manuscript. On the first page, the staff intended for this part is crossed out and replaced with the horns. As indicated in other marches, the 1st trumpet part often doubled the E♭ clarinet line one octave lower.

Centro Studi Amilcare Ponchielli

Giuseppe Riccucci