The Teddy Bears' Picnic
Last updated: 11.10.23
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Composer: J.W. Bratton Suppliers:    
Editor: Robin Benton Quintet S/D/A/T/B
Publisher: EMI Music Publishing Ltd Publication:
This very well-known The Teddy Bear's Picnic is another light-hearted arrangement that I dearly love playing. Whilst the melody for the main part of the work is borne by the third voice, all the other voices have their moments of glory with a sprinkling of two-bar solos. I have many happy memories of playing the sopranino and partnering Bettina Kiefner or Nannette Wiethölter on descant in the Blue Monday and Blue Tuesday consorts respectively.
The work opens with a two-bar snatch of melody on descant replied by the same melody but an octave lower on tenor. The whole ensemble then joins-in with the lower three voices marching down the ladder as it were accompanied by a long, soft triller by descant and sopranino. The story is then taken-up by the treble to be finalised by a splendid coda. In between there are a couple of light-hearted moments whereby the descant and sopranino exchange shots like trumpets in a jazz-session. Guaranteed to bring the house down.
This arrangement may be found in Consort With a Swing 2. For the ultimate rendering, just admire these Taiwan kids shown on the Video tab..
     Performer CD Title Supplier
       
cd15.gif Kenny Ball The Very Best of Kenny Ball flag15us.gif flag15uk.gif flag15de.gif flag15fr.gif flag15ca.gif flag15it.gif flag15es.gif
cd15.gif Bremen Recorder Touring Company Recorder Recital at St. Mathews dbe15.gif
     Title Performer Composer
       
youtube15.jpg The Teddy Bears' Picnic (3:32) Ma Douguo Recorder Orchestra J.W. Bratton