Adagio para Orquesta de Instrumentos de Viento

From Wind Repertory Project
Joaquín Rodrigo

Joaquín Rodrigo


General Info

Year: 1966
Duration: c. 9:30
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ediciones Joaquín Rodrigo
Cost: Unknown


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II-III
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Bassoon
C Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-Tam


Errata

In parts (1991 edition):

  • Piccolo, m.77: Remove floating accent.
  • Flute, m.137-139: Notes missing.
  • Flute, m.70: Missing tie
  • Flute II, m.77: Add floating accent from Piccolo part.
  • Horn in F, m.122: Last note should be A.
  • Horn in F, m.140: C natural should be C-sharp.
  • Horn in F, m.63: Missing dynamics.


Program Notes

Composed on a commission by Robert Boudreau and the American Wind Symphony, Adagio para Orquestra de Instrumentos de Viento (roughly translated as "Adagio for Orchestral Winds") is the composer's first work for winds. Two major moods are presented in a series of contrasting and alternating sections, A-B-A-B-A. During the opening, middle, and closing sections, the mood is quiet and tranquil, with a flowing melody that is woven through the upper woodwinds. The second and fourth section are more angular and fanfare-like, with the brass and percussion supplying the drive. The work concludes with a soft sigh from the lower voices and the timpani.

- Program Note by Nikk Pilato


Adagio for Wind Orchestra, a monumental work for winds by a master composer, was commissioned by Robert Boudreau and the American Wind Symphony. Far from confined to one affect or tempo, this work moves in and out of expressive, tranquil adagio lines, fanfare figures, and exciting ostinati. The plaintive solo and duo woodwind melodies are supported by piquant brass harmonies. Fanfare figurations finally give way to a somber return of the opening material—this time, with a soulful, final chord and the resting heartbeat of the timpani.

- Program Note by Brian Casey


In Adagio para Orquesta de Instrumentos de Viento Rodrigo creates a picturesque Spanish ambiance, full of color and delightful melody. The work is in ABABA form, beginning with a flute solo reminiscent of Maurice Ravel’s La flute enchantee from Scheherazade, launching into a strongly rhythmic fanfare-like section before returning to its lyrical beginnings. The Adagio was composed for the American Wind Symphony in 1966, which premiered the work in June 1966, conducted by Robert Austin Boudreau.

- Program Note from Illinois State University Wind Symphony concert program, 20 September 2017


At once mournful and sweet, Adagio seems to reflect on a past event through the lens of three characters: solo flute, oboe, and clarinet.  As if recalling a distant memory, the characters elaborate on similar themes, without exactly engaging in a call-and-response type dialogue we might expect with repetitive melodic material.  This opening scene is patient and not overly nostalgic.  An energetic and driving B section seems to be a flashback to that distant event, revealing chaotic turmoil.  When the solo characters return, we have a better sense of how they are connected, their memories now more present, front of mind.  Another flashback interjects before a stoic, resigned conclusion.

Although composer Joaquín Rodrigo did not specify a programmatic intent for Adagio, the moods are indicative of many other compositions from his prolific career.  Known largely for contributions to the classical guitar repertoire, Rodrigo’s music is decidedly Spanish.  Having gone blind at an early age, he became a national artistic figure, receiving Spain’s highest civilian honor in 1996.  There are, however, notable reference to other parts of his biography.  In Adagio, for example, the allegro sections are reminiscent of the musical storytelling of Paul Dukas, with whom Rodrigo studied in Paris (think: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice)Adagio was Rodrigo’s first work for winds.

- Program note by David Stanley for the University of Georgia's Wind Ensemble concert program, 2 March 2022


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • James Madison University (VA) Wind Symphony (Stephen P. Bolstad, conductor) – 24 February 2024
  • Chicago Wind Symphony (Chicago, Ill.) (Michael McCain, conductor) - 6 January 2024
  • University of Denver (Colo.) Lamont Wind Ensemble (Joseph Martin, conductor) - 15 November 2023
  • New England Conservatory (Boston, Mass.) Wind Ensemble (Michael Lewis, conductor) - 14 February 2023
  • University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony (Adam Friedrich, conductor) - 27 January 2023
  • Ithaca (N.Y.) College Wind Ensemble (Louis Menchaca, conductor) – 17 November 2022
  • University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Wind Ensemble (Lauren Visel, conductor) -- 21 October 2022
  • Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, Penn.) Wind Ensemble (George Vosburgh, conductor) - 15 October 2022
  • University of Georgia (Athens) Wind Ensemble (David Stanley, conductor) - 2 March 2022
  • San Jose (Calif.) State University Wind Ensemble (David Vickerman, conductor) - 22 October 2021
  • Windhaven Wind Orchestra (Weston, Ver.) (Thomas McCauley, conductor) - 5 June 2021
  • Rowan University (Glassboro, N.J.) Wind Ensemble (Joseph Higgins, conductor) - 27 April 2021
  • Dallas (Tx.) Winds (Jerry Junkin, conductor) - 24 April 2021
  • University of North Texas (Denton) Wind Ensemble (Daniel Cook, conductor) – 15 April 2021
  • Illinois State University (Normal) Wind Symphony (Lauren Bobarsky, conductor) - 28 February 2021
  • West Chester University (Penn.) Wind Ensemble (Andrew Yozviak, conductor) - 28 February 2021
  • Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) Wind Ensemble (Damon Talley, conductor) - 15 December 2020
  • University of Cincinnati (Ohio) College-Conservatory of Music Wind Symphony (Kevin Michael Holzman, conductor) - 10 October 2020
  • Eastman Wind Orchestra (Rochester, N.Y.) (Mark Davis Scatterday, conductor) - 9 October 2020
  • Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble (Hampton Roads, Va.) (Bill Garlette, conductor) - 7 March 2020
  • Strasbourg Conservatory of Music (Strasbourg, France) (Miguel Etchegoncelay, conductor) - 23 January 2011


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources