Diablo Wind Symphony
March 15 Program Notes
Gavorkna Fanfare
Gavorkna Fanfare, written in 1990, expands the
traditional brass and percussion instrumentation to
include the full band. It is based on two contrasting
melodic ideas which explore rhythmic interaction of
ostinato and counterpoint. The work was composed for,
and dedicated to Eugene Corporon and the Cincinnati
Conservatory of Music.
Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral
"Elsa's Procession," with its medieval color and
pageantry, prefaces her betrothal to Lohengrin, mystics
knight if the Holy Grail, come to deliver people of
Antwerp from the Hungarian invaders. In this
transcription, Lucien Cailliet has succeeded in building
into the instrumental framework of the modern band a true
representation of all that Wagner so eloquently describes
with orchestra and chorus.
Variations On A Korean Folk-Song
Variations was composed in 1965, winning the American
Bandmasters Association Ostwald Award for the composer
the following year. Chance provided the following
information concerning the work in the Journal of Band
Research for autumn 1966:
"I became acquainted with the folk song known as
Arrirang (pronounced "AH-dee-dong") while serving in
Seoul, Korea, as a member of the Eighth U.S. Army Band in
1958-59. The tune us not as simple as it sounds, and my
fascination with it during the intervening years led to
its eventual use as the theme for this set of
variations."
The work is in six sections opening with a pentatonic
theme and then five variations.
'Tis a Gift
Anne McGinty is an acclaimed American composer who has
written numerous band works for all experience levels.
'Tis a Gift takes the old Shaker melody, Simple Gifts,
and works the melody into a variety of harmonic and
rhythmic variations closely tied together by a
reoccurring pulse. This is just a fun work to listen to,
as well as to play!
La Belle Helene Overture
The translation is "The Beautiful Helen" and is a
satirical operetta from the pen of Jacques Offenbach, the
famous creator and leading exponent of comic opera.
Offenbach was born in 1819 and his "La Belle Helene" was
a spoof on the Greek myth of Helen of Troy. It can also
be construed as a satire on the age of Napoleon III. The
first performance was given in Paris in 1864.
Hymn for Band
Dr. Brent Heisinger was the head of the composition
department at San Jose State University for several years
before retirement. Hymn for Band evolves around a modal
thematic material, supported primarily by minor tertian
harmonies and chords based on open fifths.
Concertante for Eb Alto Saxophone and Band
Clare Grundman wrote the Concertante for soloist Dale
Underwood and the United States Navy Band. It was
premiered in 1972. The work is in one movement and
displays the placid and exciting timbres of the alto
saxophone.
Variations for Soprano Saxophone and Symphonic
Band
Originally scored by Rossini to feature the clarinet,
this arrangement works quite well for the more modern
instrument, the soprano sax. Rossini, noted for his work
in operas, writes this melody as he would an opera aria,
and then proceeds to develop the simple melody into more
and more complex melodic figures, allowing the soloist to
display virtuostic abilities. The University of Southern
California with Douglas Masek premiered this arrangement
on April 25, 1984 as soloist.
Coat of Arms -- March
This is a unique march because it works well as a slow
march for commencement, medium-tempo march for half-time
routines, and as an up-tempo concert march. Kenneth
Whitcomb, aka George Kenny, published under several names
in order to avoid certain professional conflicts of
interest.
Diablo Wind Symphony
December 13 Program Notes
Click to see Summary of
December 13th Concert
Flourish for Wind Band
Vaughan Williams is one of England's major composers.
Much like Gustav Holst, he saw the band as a unique
avenue for his simple music. Simple in context, this work
is often used to begin major concerts or activities in
England.
Armenian Dances
The two Armenian Dances are among several works for
military band by Aram Khatchaturian. The dances were
written originally for a Red Army Cavalry Band in 1943
and were adapted for modern band instrumentation by the
gifted American musician and scholar, Ralph Satz.
Cajun Folk Songs II
These delightful songs are from one of America's most
outstanding band composers. Mr. Ticheli's arrangement of
Amazing Grace, an original composition entitled Postcard,
and his Cajun Folk Songs put him in the forefront of band
composers. Simply composed, but with an unusual depth of
orchestrational understanding, he presents two folk songs
which develop into complex, but listenable, works.
The Irish Washerwoman
The Irish Washerwoman is from Anderson's Irish Suite.
The suite consisted of six beloved Irish airs and was
commissioned by the Boston "Pops" orchestra in 1947.
Anderson frequently appeared as guest conductor of the
orchestra. This particular movement, as you would
suppose, is sturdy and full of life!
The Thunderer March
This was Mrs. Sousa's favorite march. Other than the
fact that Sousa's "thunderer" was a Mason, his identity
may never be revealed. Some think the march was dedicated
to a colleague who untirelessly made travel arrangements
for all the band tours, others believe that it was
dedicated to the London Times known as the 'thunderer'.
In any case, this has become one of Sousa's favorite
marches worldwide.
Viva Musica!
Alfred Reed has written many concert overtures for
band since his longtime association with conductor
Frederick Fennell. Since Fennell assumed the
conductorship of the Tokyo-Kosei Wind Orchestra, Mr. Reed
has written a number of works for that organization. Viva
Musica, although recorded by Fennell, was commissioned by
the VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He titled
this work after thoughts about the joy of music
making.
Concertino for Clarinet and Band
This was commissioned by Dr. Carliss Johnson and the
South Dakota State University Symphonic band, James
McKinney, Director. Once the soloist and the band state
the main theme, there is lots of room during various
cadenzas for the soloist to show off.
Basketball!
Since the NBA lockout has prohibited basketball fans
from cheering for their favorite team, we felt
responsible for keeping that good-ol' team spirit alive.
Feel free to join in if you want!
Sleigh Ride!
One of Leroy Anderson's favorite works heard every
year at this time. Another work commissioned by the
Boston "Pops" orchestra and Arthur Fiedler. Mr. Anderson
arranged the work for band after many requests and stated
that the band arrangement is one of his personal
favorites. Hopefully this will keep us in good spirits
for the holidays. Enjoy!
Diablo Wind Symphony
October 26 Program Notes
Ballet Parisian - Jacques Offenbach
Offenbach wrote his music in Paris a hundred years
ago, yet we find much of it fresh and delightful today.
Sometimes spirited, sometimes elegant, Offenbach's music
is always rhythmic and always melodious.
Ballet Parisian is a suite in five movements, four of
which we will hear this evening. The melodies have been
selected from four of the composer's most popular operas:
Genevieve of Brobant, La Perichole, La Vie Parisienne,
and the well-known Orpheus.
Come, Sweet Death - Johanne Sebastien Bach
Come, Sweet Death is one of sixty-nine chorale
preludes by Bach in the group of Sacred Songs and Airs,
published in 1736. Although usually considered a Bach
composition, it is in reality a harmonization by Bach of
a beloved traditional German folk song. Bach's chorlae
prelude adaption comsisted of a single melody line with
figured bass, leaving the harmonization of the inner
voices to the keyboard player.
A Trumpeter's Lullaby - Leroy Anderson
This composition is a staple in the trumpet solo
repertoire. Typical Anderson, the work is in ABA form and
is a mixture of pleasant harmonies with a delightful
interchange between the soloist and band.
Andra Yeghoian, trumpet soloist
A member of the Las Lomas High School bands, Andra is
making her mark as a rising artist. Her honors and
associations include Contra Costa Honor Band (1997-98);
Bay Section Honor Band (1997); ACDA Children's Honor
Choir (1997); Cazadero Performance Arts Camp (1998);
Hayward-La Honda Music Camp (1993-98); Stanislaus Music
Camp (1997); and Contra Costa Children's Chorus Camp
(1992-96).
She received the Las Lomas High School Music Letter in
1998.
Andra Yeghoian is a student of Jonathan Knight, Greg
Brown and Earl Fredericks.
Prelude, Sicilian and Rondo - Malcolm Arnold
Holsinger has attempted in American Faces to pay
tribute to the multifarious qualities and standards that
make up the "faces" of America. It is not a patriotic
montage, but rather an overture of diverse themes,
original and borrowed; each conveying the composer's
impression of American exuberance, pioneering spirit, and
underlying faith.
Rushmore, A Symphonic Prologue for Winds - Alfred
Reed
Rushmore was commissioned by the Rushmore Music Camp
in South Dakota and premiered in 1980 at Mt.
Rushmore.
A brooding, mystic opening, representing, perhaps, the
four great faces carved in stone gazing over the plains
of America, introduces a strong melodic line depicting
inner strength and calm majesty represented by these four
great Americans as guardians of our tradition and faith
in the freedom of man. This melody finally joins "America
the Beautiful" to bring the work to a close.
Second Suite in F for Military Band - Gustav
Holst
Holst's Second Suite in F, composed in 1911, uses
English folk songs and folk dance tunes throughout, being
written at a time when he needed to rest from the strain
of original composition. The suite has four movements,
each with its own distinctive character.
The opening March uses three tunes, first a lively
morris dance (popular dance style in the Renaissance),
the second a folk song called "Swansea Town", and the
third tune, "Claudy Banks", has a lilting compound duple
meter feel.
The second movement, based on "I'll love my love",
which is a song depicting two lovers separated by their
parents.
"The Song of the Blacksmith" is complex rhythmically,
much of it being in septuple meter. Listen closely and
you can hear the blacksmith's anvil.
"The Dargason" is an English country dance and folk
song dating at least from the sixteenth century.
Place St. Henri - Oscar Peterson
This delightful work is composed by the great jazz
pianist, Oscar Peterson, as part if his Canadiana Suite
which he recorded with his jazz trio. The work includes
jazz rhythms, features the clarinet section, and becomes
a real toe-tapper for the audiences. Sit back and
enjoy!
Americans We - Henry Fillmore
Fillmore had problems deciding on a title for this
march. His band was giving a series of concerts at the
local zoo so he would introduce the new work as The
Cincinnati Zoo one day and Pure Food and Health the next!
Finally, realizing that it was probably his finest march,
he published it in 1929 as Americans We and dedicated it
to "all of us." Noting the exuberance in this march, Paul
Yoder reminisced that Fillmore had once told him that he
wrote music "to make people happy." And that is how we
want you to feel after we are done!
Comments
and Suggestions.
