COLIN KIRKPATRICK'S NATIONAL ANTHEMS ONLINE



SWEDEN: Du gamla, du fria

For a time, the melody of the British anthem was used in Sweden as was a song by Otto Lindblad but since the end of the nineteenth century Du Gamla Du Fria has been used as a national anthem. The words were written by Richard Dybeck (1811-1877) to a traditional folk melody which he evidently heard in Vastmanland in Central Sweden. The title means "Thou ancient, thou unconquered" (".....thou mountainous North").

Although the Swedish constitution makes no mention of a national anthem, the song is known all over the country and is often used at sporting events. While many believe it is an official anthem, this is not the case and the Swedish government has evidently thought it "unnecessary" to give it official recognition, despite some opposition.

Photo: Covering an area of nearly half a million square kilometres, Sweden is the fifth largest country in Europe and the largest of the Northern European countries, over one thousand miles from end to end. With a population of just over 9 million, Sweden has an average population density of just 20 people per square kilometre, compared to the UK with a density of 246 people per km – more than 20 times higher. Sweden has no shortage of water either, and the whole country contains over 90,000 lakes, including the two largest Lake Vänern and Lake Vättern.

   CLICK TO HEAR THIS ANTHEM (MP3: 519k).

Click on the buttons below to either preview the first page of the score (in a low resolution jpg file), or to download the entire document. Use the underlined links to download the instrumental parts you want in Adobe Acrobat. If you don't have it, you can get your free copy here. I strongly recommend you have Adobe Reader on your computer before you download the music, because this will allow the printed music to open automatically as it downloads. Don't be disappointed in the Adobe screen image, for it is low resolution for checking only. You can make high-quality prints using your right mouse button or the usual "Control+P" command. The music has been digitally scanned at 1200 dpi for professional results but the actual output will depend on your own printer settings. Always consult local expertise before performing an anthem in an unfamiliar country!

You are welcome to download as much music as you want, but please first check the "Read Me" page.



SYMPHONIC BAND - Suggested Voicing

piccolo: Part 1 in C
1st flute: Part 1 in C
2nd flute: Part 2 in C
oboe: Part 2 in C

1st clarinet: Part 1 in B flat
2nd clarinet: Part 2 in B flat
3rd clarinet: Part 3 in B flat
alto clarinet: Part 3 in E flat

1st alto saxophone: Part 3 in E flat
2nd alto saxophone: Part 4 in E flat
tenor saxophone: Part 5 in B flat
baritone saxophone: Part 6 in E flat
bassoon: Part 5 in C

1st trumpet: Part 1 in B flat
2nd trumpet: Part 2 in B flat
1st horn in F: Part 3 in F
2nd horn in F: Part 4 in F
1st E flat horn: Part 3 in E flat
2nd E flat horn: Part 4 in E flat

baritone (TC): Part 5 in B flat
baritone (BC): Part 5 in C

1st trombone: Part 4 in C
2nd trombone: Part 5 in C
bass trombone: Part 6 in C

tuba: Part 6 in C
Bb bass (TC): Part 6 in B flat
Eb bass (TC): Part 6 in E flat
percussion: percussion
timpani: timpani

CLARINET CHOIR - Suggested Voicing

Eb clarinet: Part 1 in E flat
1st clarinet: Part 1 in B flat
2nd clarinet: Part 2 in B flat
3rd clarinet: Part 3a in B flat

alto clarinet: Part 4 in E flat
bass clarinet: Part 6 in B flat
contrabass clarinet: Part 6 in B flat
piano (if used): Piano reduction


STRING ENSEMBLE - Suggested Voicing

Note that the flat keys used in these arrangements would make them more suitable for experienced string players.

1st violin: Part 1 in C
2nd violin: Part 2 in C
viola: Part 3 in C alto
violoncello: Part 4 in C
double bass: Part 6 in C

BRASS BAND - Suggested Voicing

soprano cornet: Part 1a in E flat
solo cornet: Part 1 in B flat
2nd/3rd cornets: Part 2 in B flat
repiano cornet: Part 1 in B flat or as required
flugelhorn: Part 2 in B flat

1st tenor horn: Part 3 in E flat
2nd tenor horn: Part 4 in E flat
baritone: Part 5 in B flat

1st trombone: Part 4 in B flat
2nd trombone: Part 5 in B flat
bass trombone: Part 6 in C
euphonium: Part 5 in B flat
Eb bass: Part 6 in E flat
Bb bass: Part 6 in B flat
percussion: percussion
timpani: timpani

STAGE BAND or BIG BAND - Suggested Voicing

1st alto sax: Part 1 in E flat
2nd alto sax: Part 2 in E flat
3rd tenor sax: Part 3 in B flat
4th tenor sax: Part 4 in B flat
5th baritone sax: Part 6 in E flat

1st trumpet: Part 1 in B flat
2nd trumpet: Part 1 in B flat
3rd trumpet: Part 2 in B flat
4th trumpet: Part 2 in B flat

1st trombone: Part 3 in C
2nd trombone: Part 4 in C
3rd trombone: Part 5 in C
tuba* or string bass: Part 6 in C
piano: Piano reduction
percussion: Percussion

(*If no tuba, 3rd trombone could support Part 6 in C)

BRASS ENSEMBLE - Suggested Voicing

1st trumpet: Part 1 in B flat
2nd trumpet: Part 2 in B flat
horn in F: Part 3 in F
trombone: Part 4 in C
tuba: Part 6 in C

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Instrumental Possiblities for Non-standard Ensembles

These arrangements have been written so that they can be played by virtually any combination of wind instruments. They will also work with saxophone ensemble, massed brasses or even a Dixieland Band (in the unlikely event that it is expected to play a national anthem). In theory, the arrangements could be also played by strings (which is why one part is available in the alto clef) but because the arrangements tend to use flat keys they will be limited to more experienced string players. The table below shows the instrumental possibilites for each part. You may find this helpful if you prefer to "do your own thing" with the instrumental voicing to get an individual sound. You can just pick and mix from the selection below. If all this appears a bit daunting, you can always go back to the lists above and try adapting the instrumentations I have suggested. Click on the underlined links to see or download the parts.

PART 1: MELODY LINE

Part 1 in C:
In the treble clef but written in octaves, to extend the possible uses. Suitable for: flutes, piccolos, oboes, glockenspiels or other C-melody instruments such as violins

Part 1 in B flat:
One tone higher than concert pitch. Suitable for: clarinets, trumpets, cornets, flugelhorns.

Part 1 in E flat:
Major sixth above concert pitch. Suitable for: alto saxophone, Eb clarinet

Part 1a in E flat:
Minor third lower than concert pitch. Suitable for: solo Eb cornet.

PART 2: ALTO LINE

Part 2 in C:
Written in octaves. Suitable for: flutes, oboes, or other C-melody instruments such as violins.

Part 2 in B flat:
This part is written one tone higher than concert pitch. Suitable for: trumpets, cornets, clarinets or Bb soprano saxophones.

Part 2 in E flat:
Major sixth above concert pitch. Suitable for: Eb alto saxophone, Eb clarinet

PART 3: TENOR LINE (a)

Part 3 in C:
At concert pitch in the bass clef. It is intended for trombone in stage band use, normally a little high for concert band or symphonic band. Suitable for: trombones.

Part 3 in F:
One fifth higher that concert. Suitable for: French horns.

Part 3 in E flat:
One sixth higher than concert. Suitable for: Eb tenor horns or alto saxophones.

Part 3 in B flat:
One ninth above concert. Suitable for: Bb tenor saxophones, Bb baritones.

Part 3a in B flat:
One tone above concert. Intended for 3rd Bb clarinets in symphonic or marching bands but could be used by other Bb instruments.

Part 3 in C (alto):
At concert pitch in the alto clef. May be useful when arrangements played by strings.

PART 4: TENOR LINE (b)

Part 4 in C:
At concert pitch in the bass clef. Suitable for: trombones, bassoons.

Part 4 in F:
One fifth higher that concert. Suitable for: French horns

Part 4 in E flat:
One sixth higher than concert. Suitable for: Eb tenor horns or alto saxophones.

Part 4 in B flat:
One ninth above concert. Suitable for: Bb tenor saxophones, Bb baritones, euphoniums.

PART 5: BARITONE LINE

Part 5 in C:
At concert pitch in the bass clef. Suitable for: trombones, bassoons.

Part 5 in B flat:
One ninth above concert. Suitable for: Bb tenor saxophones, Bb baritones, euphoniums.

PART 6: BASS LINE

Part 6 in C:
At concert pitch in the bass clef in octaves. Suitable for: bass trombones, contrabassoon, tubas

Part 6 in E flat:
Octave and sixth higher than concert in treble clef. Suitable for: Eb basses, Eb baritone saxophone.

Part 6 in B flat:
One ninth higher than concert in treble clef. Suitable for: Bb basses, Bb contrabass clarinet.

PERCUSSION AND TIMPANI

Each anthem is supplied with a percussion part that requires three players: snare drum, bass drum and cymbals. In all the arrangements, the timpani part is limited to three drums and generally percussion has been scored somewhat lightly. Of course, if you are playing as a string ensemble or brass ensemble, the percussion woud be omitted altogether.

PIANO REDUCTION


This is a piano reduction of the full score and is intended to be used when the ensemble contains a piano, or when there are gaps in the ensemble. You can use the piano reduction with other instruments to produce solos, duets, trios, anything!




Finally, the list above is intended to show the wide range of possibilities. If you have a non-standard ensemble, you may need to experiment a little with the voicings to get the sound you want. Remember that Part 5 is not essential so if you miss it out entirely, there will be no problem.



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