Antiphonale

From Wind Repertory Project
Vaclav Nelhybel

Vaclav Nelhybel


Subtitle: For Brass Sextet and Band


General Info

Year: 1972 / 2017
Duration: c. 9:30
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Star Music Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $131.61; (digital) - $131.61   |   Score Only - $32.91


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Solo Trombone I-II-III
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (5 players), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbal
  • Gong
  • Snare Drum
  • Tenor Drum
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Antiphonale is scored for brass sextet and band, somewhat along the lines of a concerto grosso. Like the Sinfonia, this piece from 1971 adds cluster harmony and other more novel techniques and gestures to the consonant, polyphonic chorales that form the basis of much of this composer’s music. But whatever material he adopts, Nelhybel always shapes a convincing dramatic trajectory, abstract though it may be.

- Program Note by Walter Simmons


Antiphonale for band is a monothematic work in which all material is derived from the motivic statement by the antiphonal solo trumpets in the second half of the composition. The work consists of two strongly contrasting sections:

The first section, predominantly slow, has the outline of an a-b-a form, yet structurally it has a continuous flow of thematic and textural elements, rather like a musical stream of consciousness revolving around a central subject. There is a constant tension and urgency, a search for a definitive formulation of an ever-present but not clearly defined musical thought. Of vital importance are tonal clusters resulting from a vertical “freezing up” of horizontal thematic elements.

The fast second section achieves the object of the search -- a strongly defined melodic theme. The antiphonal brass sextet, stating this theme, carries on a dialogue with the band’s commentaries upon the theme.

The two contrasting sections, representing seemingly unrelated styles, are welded together in logical sequence of search and discovery.

Antiphonale was commissioned by the North Hills High School Band, Pittsburgh; Warren S. Mercer, Jr., Director.

- Program Note from publisher


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources