Quilter: Suite from "Where the Rainbow Ends" Mvt. 2 "Rosamund" - wind quintet
Where the Rainbow Ends is a children's play, originally written for Christmas 1911 by Clifford Mills and John Ramsey. The incidental music was composed by Roger Quilter.
"Where the Rainbow Ends" follows the journey of four children, two girls, two boys and a pet lion cub in search of their parents. Travelling on a magic carpet they face various dangers on their way to rescue their parents and are guarded and helped by Saint George. ***
Roger Quilter's "Where the Rainbow Ends" suite was performed at the 1912 Proms on 26 September 1912. The music became known throughout the whole world through the medium of the BBC who were constantly broadcasting it on the radio.
On 23 December 1937, the 11-year-old Princess Elizabeth was taken by Queen Elizabeth to see a performance of Where the Rainbow Ends at The Holborn Empire, London.The Queen and Princess rose with the audience and the actors and joined in singing the National Anthem with a new specially written Rainbow verse that had been written for them.
There are 4 movements:
1a. Rainbow Land
1b. Will o' the Wisp
2. Rosamund
3. Fairy Frolic
4. Goblin Forest
This is my arrangement for wind quintet of no.2 "Rosamund"
The piece is in E major, so arranged for Clarinet in A
A Clarinet in Bb part is also provided but in G flat, rather than F sharp major (making it slightly easier to read!)
*** This play, which was once as popular at Christmas as Peter Pan, was last performed professionally in 1959.
It is a “fantasy” but the jingoistic style is out of touch with current mores, and is unlikely to be performed again.
