Sir Charles Hubert Parry (1848-1918) is one of England's best known composers, teachers and music historians, also playing a key role in the national institutions with positions as director of the Royal College of Music, and professor at the University of Oxford. The birds is music to the play of the same name by Aristophanes, used in the Cambridge Greek Play (done in the original ancient Greek). The "Bridal march" is the best known (and most often arranged) part from The birds, and is said to contain shadows of what was to become a part of Edward Elgar's writing style.
It doesn't really get more English than the Bridal march. Those who have never heard it might not understand this comment, and everybody else probably does. Imagine a period costume drama (movie or theatre), the Queen, Union Jack, and... Bridal march in the background. Follow that by Pomp and circumstance, and there is an all-you-need English evening.
Regarding the key used, it is difficult to know what is original, with more than a dozen arrangements (mainly for organ) employing several different tonalities. Walters' version has four sharps - so it's probably safe to assume this is original (as it is somewhat unlikely E major would be a horn player's favourite). This however results in a b2 extravaganza, with the high horns (1,3,5) at the receiving end.
While the parts are largely independent, there is a division into high (1,3,5) and low (2,4,6), and within this a tessitura (high to low) division - lower numbered players are higher than higher numbered ones. The bass line is almost entirely in horn 6, with the occasional help of horn 4. Horn 2 has the most versatile voice, assuming roles ranging from providing the bass to doubling the 1st horn in the main tune.
Had it not been for the key used, this arrangement could have easily be classified as medium difficulty. That said, E major (horn pitch) is a very bright and uplifting key (to listen to), and represents the character of the work well. While very few people would have noticed a transposition, it can only be held in Walters' favour that he didn't make the concession. Horn (ensemble) repertoire needs these challenges (transposition, original keys including "uncomfortable" ones, hand stopping, etc.).
So, besides being a good piece equally well suited to a wedding or non-wedding occasion, Walter's Bridal march is also a bit of a challenge. That should make it sufficiently attractive for any decent ensemble.
Credits
Provision of review score: John Lynsdale-Nock (Corniworld)