San Marino National Anthem

The Most Serene Republic of San Marino is a landlocked country in the Apennine Mountains, surrounded by North-East Italy. It claims to be the oldest constitutional republic in the world and that it was founded in the 301 AD. It is also one of the smallest, with a land area of only 38 square miles. Inno Nazionale ("National Hymn") was adopted as the national anthem in 1894. It is one of the few national anthems without lyrics and frequently played in the streets of San Marino City during national and religious festivals. Composer Federico Consolo was born at Ancona in 1841. As a young adult, he studied the violin with Henri Vieuxtemps in Brussels and studied composition with Franz Liszt. Consolo based his melody for the anthem on a 10th century chorale. The anthem usually performed extremely slowly and there are several versions of the ending. The short Olympic Version consists of the first eight measures followed by a repeat of the first four measures. This arrangement is in six independent parts each transposed into a variety of keys. For the most satisfying sound you will need to get a good balance between each part possibly with an emphasis on the melodic line. If you have a non-standard ensemble, you can "pick and mix" as required. The piano reduction can fill missing parts or can be used as the basis for an accompaniment. This arrangement consists of the score with seven instrumental staves (including timpani) and three percussion staves. The following parts are available: Part 1 in B flat, E flat and C; Part 1a in C (8ve higher), E flat (minor 3rd lower for E flat cornet); Part 2 in B flat, E flat and C; Part 2a in C, (8ve higher) E flat (minor 3rd lower for alto clarinet); Part 3 in B flat, E flat, C and F; Part 3a in B flat (8ve lower for 3rd clarinets); Part 4 in B flat, E flat, C and F; Part 5 in B flat and C; Part 6 in B flat, C and E flat. There are also parts for timpani, percussion (2-3 players) and a piano reduction.