Annie Laurie by Arthur Pryor

Solo Title: Annie Laurie
Composer and Arranger: Arthur Pryor (1870-1942), arr. Glenn P. Smith
Publisher Code: Ludwig Masters Publications, 36-10530185
Date Published: 1958
Clef: Bass
Purchase Link: Sheet Music Plus
Recording: YouTube

Arthur Pryor’s solo Annie Laurie is filled with many technical passages that add variations to a beautiful, traditional melody. While the theme is short, most of the music is cadenza-like with swirling sixteenth notes, racing triplets, and an ending that will push the tonguing limits of the soloist. While the range of pitch is not extreme, the challenge will come in performing the entire 5-minute work with a constantly entertaining, confident charisma that is all too familiar with a Pryor solo. Listening to multiple recordings of this solo will play a crucial role in hearing an authentic style to perform this flashy work.

Movements and Tempo MarkingsDuration
Allegro Maestoso Moderato (q=95-140)5'
Organization’s Class and Grade Levels FMEAISSMAITANYSSMAOMEAPMEAUIL
(What is This?)4Yes46ANLNL
Grading Points ScaleLevelTotal PointsRangeRhythmTempoDurationBonus
(What is This?)--Bb to C532nd118 bpm5'See Footnote [1]
4 (3.7)18.53.54252
  1. Multiple Tonguing (1), Interval Jump (1)