March No. 4 op. 167

The instrumentation of the autograph manuscript of March No. 4, Op. 167 suggests that this piece was written during the period when Ponchielli served as Bandmaster of the National Guard Band of Piacenza. No information is available regarding its date of composition or public performances.

Written in 6/8 time, which gives it a bright and festive character, March No. 4 follows the typical structure of a parade march. The opening section features an A episode (in E-flat major, with repeats), characterised by two musical ideas, followed by a B episode (in B-flat major, with repeats) and a reprise of A, in which the first musical idea is replaced by a modulating bridge that leads directly into the second. This is followed by the Trio (in A-flat major, with repeats) and a reprise of the entire opening section.

Centro Studi Amilcare Ponchielli

Giuseppe Riccucci