American in Paris, An (arr Brubaker)

From Wind Repertory Project
George Gershwin

George Gershwin (arr. Jerry Brubaker)


General Info

Year: 1929 / 1994
Duration: c. 8:25
Difficulty: IV 1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $85.00   |   Score Only - $9.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute III
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Taxi Horns (4)
  • Tom-Tom
  • Wire Brush
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Gershwin was best known as a writer of music for the entertainment market, but he did make several excursions into the realm of art music. One of these was the result of a brief visit to Paris in 1926 (from which he returned with a French taxicab horn and the sketch of a melody) and a longer stay in 1928. He made use of both the horn and the melody while writing this piece during his second viit. He called the work a "rhapsodic ballet." His description follows:

" I have not endeavored to present any definite scenes in this music. The rhapsody is programmatic in a general impressionistic sort of way, so that the individual listener can read into the music such episodes as his imagination pictures for him. The opening section is followed by a rich 'blues' with a strong rhythmic undercurrent. Our American friend, perhaps after strolling into a cafe, has suddenly succumbed to a spasm of homesickness. The blues rises to a climax followed by a coda in which the spirit of the music returns to the vivacity and bubbling exuberance of the opening part with its impressions of Paris."

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

  • Virginia: III


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Manhattan Wind Ensemble (New York City) (Sarah Fernandez, conductor) - 2 December 2023
  • Spring Garden Band of York (Penn.) (Jeffrey Shaull, conductor) - 24 May 2023
  • Syracuse University (N.Y.) Wind Ensemble (Timothy Diem, conductor) - 13 April 2023
  • Texas Community College Band Directors Association All-State Symphonic Band (Caroline Beatty, conductor) – 11 February 2023 (2023 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
  • University of New Mexico (Albuquerque) Symphonic Band (Steven Smyth, conductor) - 16 November 2022
  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Sarah McKoin, conductor) - 8 May 2021
  • Illinois State University (Normal) Symphonic Winds (Anthony Marinello, III, conductor) – 19 November 2019
  • University of South Florida (Tampa) Wind Ensemble (Logan Sorey, conductor) – 6 October 2019
  • Austin (Texas) Symphonic Band (Richard Floyd, conductor) - 12 November 2017
  • University of Texas (Austin) Symphony Band (Anthony C. Marinello III, conductor) – 5 May 2017
  • San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra (David Rackley, conductor) – 27 September 2015
  • University of California, Santa Cruz, Wind Ensemble (Nathanial Berman, conductor) - 5 December 2014

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 226.
  • Gershwin, G.; Brubaker, J. (1994). An American in Paris [score]. WB Music Corp.: Miami, Fla.
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