Granville Bantock: The Witches Frolic for double bass trio

About the Composition

The Witches Frolic was composed in 1926, as incidental music for a production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth in London featuring Sybil Thorndike, one of the leading English actresses of her day.

Marked Allegretto grottesco, the piece is lively and dramatic, contrasting a range of moods and emotions, with something of interest for each player. Colourful, animated, and with instant player and audience appeal within its brief timespan.

Originally for bassoon or cello trio, this version for double bass trio has been transposed a fourth higher than the original. An edition for bassoon or cello trio [RMD1559] is also published by Recital Music.

About the Composer

Granville Bantock (1868-1946) was a prolific British composer, writing in most genres, alongside a successful career as a conductor and Professor of Music. He became Principal of the Birmingham and Midland Institute School of Music in 1900, succeeded Edward Elgar as Peyton Professor of Music at University of Birmingham (1908-34), and was influential in founding the City of Birmingham Orchestra (later the City of Birmingham Orchestra).

Much of Bantock’s orchestral music has been recorded in recent years but is unjustly neglected today and certainly worthy of revival. Impressive and monumental symphonies brim with beautiful melodies and alongside magnificent orchestral textures and Granville Bantock may be the greatest unknown composer today.