Charles Gounod (1818-1893) regained great successes as a composer of church music and as an organist soon after graduating at the Paris Conservatory. The ‘Messe Solennelle de Sainte Cécile’ dates from the 1850s. Almost four years passed before, in 1855, the ‘Messe Solennelle de Sainte Cécile’ was heard in its entirety in Paris. It was the custom to celebrate the feast of St. Cecilia, the patron Saint of music.
Publisher: → Baton Music
Dutch composer Johan Wagenaar (1862 – 1941) parodied the conventions of Romantic opera in his own operas and secular cantatas, his music itself is staunchly Romantic in voice, little troubled by even the chromaticism of Wagner, let alone subsequent developments in the 20th century. Although his symphonic poem ‘Saul and David’, written in 1906 to commemorate the three hundredth anniversary of Rembrandt’s birth, is considered his most ambitious work, it is this overture inspired by Rostand’s ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ that was his most successful piece. The overture recalls the spirit and style of Strauss’s brand new tone poems, which Wagenaar openly admired, and it captures both the heroicism and poetic character of Rostand’s hero.
Publisher: → Baton Music
(from 5th Symphony)
The famous Adagietto is the fourth part of Mahler’s Symphony nr. 5 and the tempo is ‘Sehr Langsam’. Only strings and harp are playing and the long upbeats and expressive appogiaturas of the very slow melodic lines give the music a yearning, almost heartbreaking quality. The Adagietto functions as a slow interlude in F major, between two faster movements in D major, but it also has an expressive weight sufficient for it to stand on its own; indeed, it is often performed by itself.
Publisher: → Baton Music
When Puccini’s opera ‘Turandot’ was heard for the first time in April 1926, its composer had been dead for almost a year and a half. Turandot is considered as his best work: Puccini’s mastery of orchestral sound reaches its pinnacle: this is a ripe, opulent, fin de siècle, score, in which deep washes of colour are applied to a profusion of melodic ideas.
In this arrangement I did use the orchestral material from the opera to make a large Symphonic Suite for Symphonic Band.
Publisher: → Baton Music (wind band version)
There is also a (new) version for → fanfare band available. This version is shorter but not less interesting for fanfare bands playing on the highest level (grade 6).
‘Sensemayá’ (1938) of Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas is a dance of archaic nature rooted in primitivism. It is a kind of Latin Rite of Spring, full of the mythological dances of the Mayas and the Aztecs and based on the poem Chant to kill a snake by the Afro-Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén.
Recording: by Banda de Lalin (E) – conducted by Bram Sniekers.
Full Recording: CD ➞ “Danzon”.
Publisher: → Baton Music
Until nowadays, La Traviata is still one of the most successful opera’s in the music-literature. Giuseppe Verdi composed this opera in 1853 and it belongs to the top of Verdi’s middle period of composing.
The well known Prelude to the 1st act has a feeling of impending tragedy.
Recording: by Banda Municipal De A Coruna (E) – conducted by Henrie Adams.
Full Recording: CD ➞ “A Night at the Opera”.
Publisher: → Baton Music
‘La Bohème’ is perhaps Puccini`s most nearly perfect opera. It has long been one of the world’s most beloved musical works – an instantly enchanting blend of charm, warmth, gaiety, and pathos, brought to vibrant live by Puccini`s sparkling, lighthearted score.
In this arrangement I did use the orchestral material from the opera to make a large Symphonic Suite for Concert Band.
Recording: (live) by Orchestra a fiati Alpe Adria XIII (IT) – conducted by Josè Rafael Pascual Vilaplana
Publisher: → Baton Music
Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34, is the common Western title for an orchestral work based on Spanish folk melodies and written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1887.
Rimsky-Korsakov originally intended to write the work for a solo violin with orchestra, but later decided that a purely orchestral work would do better justice to the lively melodies.
This transcription respects the original tone-colour of the piece.
Recording: (live) by Unión Musical de Valladares (E) – conducted by Juan Lois Diéguez.
(The violin solo is an interpretative addition of these performers.)
Publisher: → Baton Music