The Solitary Dancer Warren Benson Born: January 26, 1924, Detroit, Michigan Died: October 6, 2005, Rochester, New York Composed: 1970 Duration: 7 minutes The Solitary Dancer is considered a masterpiece in economy of resources, sensitivity for wind and percussion colors and subtle development and recession of instrumental and musical frenzy. The work refers to the “quiet, poised energy that one may observe in a dancer in repose, alone with her inner music.” Just prior to writi

Today's post will feature more band music from Warren Benson as we explore The Leaves Are Falling. Benson began composition of the piece on November 22, 1963 the date of the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the work uses the Martin Luther hymn tune Ein' feste Burg (A Mighty Fortress). The piece is extremely important in the history of band music and was considered exceptionally important and groundbreaking at the time of its composition. Below you can find program notes o

Although Warren Benson's music has fallen out of favor among many wind ensembles in the past twenty years, his contributions to the medium cannot be understated and his pieces for winds are among some of the best written for the ensemble. Today's post will explore his work The Solitary Dancer. You can find notes and a recording below. Warren Benson, The Solitary Dancer "The President's Own" United States Marine Band The Solitary Dancer Basically a self-taught composer, Benson