Orb and Sceptre

For the use of the orb and sceptre as a sign of authority see Globus cruciger.

Orb and Sceptre is a march for orchestra written by Sir William Walton for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953.

Structure

Influenced largely by Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches 1 and 4, it begins in the key of E major with bright trumpet fanfares before leaping into the famous march section, heavily syncopated and brightly orchestrated. This section moves briefly through C major before returning to E.

As with Crown Imperial, written by Walton in 1936 for the coronation of Elizabeth II's father, King George VI, the middle section is a quieter trio in C. This theme is heard subdued on the strings, before being repeated in its more stately and grand form. The main march section is then heard again, this time even more colourfully, and this parades on, building up to the final hearing of the stately trio section back in the home key of E. This time Walton uses the whole orchestra, percussion steadily beating away, while the tune is shared between fortissimo strings and fanfare-like brass. A short, fast coda ends the piece in his usual very Elgarian style.

Arrangements

Orb and Sceptre has been arranged for organ by Sir William McKie, and in 2014 for Concert Band by Paul Noble.

William Walton

Stage works	The Bear (opera) Troilus and Cressida (opera) Façade (ballet)

Orchestral music	Capriccio burlesco Crown Imperial Johannesburg Festival Overture Spitfire Prelude and Fugue Prelude for Orchestra (Granada) Portsmouth Point Orb and Sceptre Suite from Henry V Symphony No. 1 Symphony No. 2

Concerti	Cello Concerto Viola Concerto Violin Concerto

Film scores	Escape Me Never As You Like It Dreaming Lips Stolen Life Major Barbara The Next of Kin The Foreman Went to France The First of the Few Went the Day Well? Henry V Hamlet Richard III Battle of Britain Three Sisters

Other compositions	Façade – Entertainment Belshazzar's Feast (cantata)

Collaborations	Variations on an Elizabethan Theme

Related articles	List of compositions by William Walton Neotonality

Portal:Classical music

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