Vincent Persichetti's "Symphony No. 6" is certainly a work that has become a cornerstone of the wind band repertoire. For Persichetti, whose contributions to the wind medium cannot be understated, this is probably his most significant work for winds. The next blog posts will focus on the music of Persichetti (since we have yet to post on his music) so stay tuned for more posts on this incredibly influential and significant composer for winds. Vincent Persichetti, Symphony for

Inspired by today's Composers Datebook, which you can find below, today's blog post will focus on the music of David Del Tredici and his two works for band: In Wartime and Acrostic Song (arr. Mark Spede). Today's Composers Datebook, program notes for both pieces, and recordings are below. Enjoy! Composers Datebook audio (8/12/10) Del Tredici in Wonderland On today's date in 1964, a 27-year old Californian named David Del Tredici got a big break, when his setting of I Hear An

Although we have discussed Karel Husa and his music a great deal on this blog, he still has many more works that merit our analysis. Today's post is on "Al Fresco." You can find program notes by the composer on the piece below. Al Fresco has no programmatic content. However, the title indicates my admiration for the art of painting, especially mural painting on wet plaster. And I have always been greatly moved by the forceful, even grandiose and rough, mysterious pictures dea

Beethoven's Geschwindmarsch and Hindemith's paraphrase of the same piece were featured last year as part of an UMWO program. Hindemith's paraphrase was part of a larger piece known as his Symphonia Serena, and both are well-known pieces that have become part of the standard wind repertoire. Program notes and audio links for both pieces are below. Ludwig van Beethoven, Geschwindmarsch (Two Marches for Military Band - No 1, March in F Major, WoO 18 Ludwig van Beethoven wrote th

Stravinsky's Circus Polka is not one of his most well-known pieces for winds, but it is certainly a fun and interesting piece to listen to. You won't find a lot of the intellectual stimulation that is in the rest of his music, but the piece certainly gives a window into his compositional mindset. Program notes are below. Program Notes from the Redwood Symphony by Barbara Heninger, edited, amended, and otherwise improved by Eric Kujawsky, Peter Stahl, and Doug Wyatt. Igor Stra

Continuing on with Joseph Schwantner, here is information and a recording of his piece for wind ensemble, In evening's stillness. Schwantner Biography In evening’s stillness was commissioned by the Illinois College Band Directors Association in 1996. It was premiered at the Midwest Music Educators National Conference convention in Peoria, Illinois, by an ensemble made up of students from the ten universities that participated in the consortium, Donald Hunsberger conducting. A

Today's post will focus on another Schwantner piece: Recoil. Joseph Schwantner, Recoil University of North Texas Wind Symphony, Eugene Corporon, conductor Recoil was commissioned through the Raymond and Beverly Sackler New Music Foundation by the University of Connecticut. It was given its premiere on November 3rd, 2004, at the Isaac Stern Auditorium of Carnegie Hall, in New York, by the University of Connecticut Wind Ensemble, Jeffrey Renshaw, conductor. It is the first of S

Joseph Schwantner, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, is most best-known in the wind world for ...and the mountains rising nowhere, and has written many fantastic pieces for winds; among these is "From a Dark Millennium." Below you can find information on the piece and a recording. Joseph Schwantner, From a Dark Millennium Ithaca College Wind Ensemble, Rodney Winther, conductor From a Dark Millennium was commissioned by a consortium of college band directors from the Midwest

Below you can find information on the first movement of William Schuman's New England Triptych, entitled Be Glad Then, America. William Schuman, New England Triptych, I. Be Glad Then, America "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Lt. Col. Jason Fettig, conductor The program notes below are from http://www.windband.us. Be Glad Then, America This composition is the first movement of Schuman’s New England Triptych, originally written for orchestra in 1956 and based on

Continuing with William Schuman's New England Triptych, you can find information on, and a recording of, the second movement, When Jesus Wept, below. We find again (as in all three movements of the Triptych), Schuman drawing his inspiration from a William Billings' hymn. William Schuman, New England Triptych, II. When Jesus Wept "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, Lt. Col. Jason Fettig, conductor WILLIAM SCHUMAN | WHEN JESUS WEPT William Howard Schuman studied at