Cake Walk Phantasy

Cake Walk Phantasy by P. Milray. Arranged by Johan De Meij. For Concert Band. Novelties / Original Pieces / Original Works Light Music Repertoire. Original Pieces. Grade 4. Score and Parts. Duration 4 minutes, 21 seconds. Published by Molenaar Edition (ML.011723060).

The "Cake Walk" is - just like the "Quickstep," the "Schottisch," the "Rag" and the "Quadrille" - a popular American dance from the second half of the last century. Both the rhythmic and the melodic structure of the Cake Walk display a clear relationship with ragtime and jazz and even a composer like Claude Debussy has availed himself of these influences in his music (Le petit Negre and Golliwogg's Cake Walk). The word "Cake Walk" has yet another meaning in Holland; it is the name of a well-known centre of attraction at a fair: a system of planks and stairs - continuously moving up and down - devised to test the fairgoer's sense of equilibrium. The same goes for this composition: the frequent changes in metrum - from even to odd - really call for a rhythmic equilibrium of both conductor and orchestra! The "Cake Walk Phantasy" was originally written for Brass Band and was meant to serve as a itest piecei on the great VARA Brass Band Festival of 1983 at Dronten (Holland). At the composer's request Johan de Meij arranged the piece for Symphonic Wind Band and Fanfare-Band. It is a light but demanding work with - as stated before - many rhythmic effects and a bluesy trombone solo in the quiet middle movement.