Concerto Grosso (Bennett)

Robert Russell Bennett

Subtitle: Concerto for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, and Wind Orchestra

General Info

Year: 1958 / 1959
Duration: c. 16:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Edition Peters
Cost: Score and Parts - Rental

Movements

1. Adagio – 5:38
2. Andante con moto – 5:15
3. Moderato en due – 2:40
4. Allegro moderato, ma energico – 3:25

Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Flute
Solo Oboe
Solo Bassoon
Solo Clarinet
Solo Horn
C Piccolo I-II
Flute I-II-III-IV-V
Bassoon I-II
Contrabassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III-IV-V
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Saxophone
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
C Trumpet I-II
Flugelhorn
Horn in F I-II-III-IV-V
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Bass Trombone I-II
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Crash Cymbals
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tom-tom
Triangle
Wood Block

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The Concerto Grosso is similar in style to Bennett’s other wind ensemble compositions, most notably the Suite of Old American Dances, yet explores more non-traditional and dissonant harmonies than the suite. Bennett’s play on the relationship between sprightly Americana and the darker textures of woodwind and brass is a study in stark contrast. The form of the piece is based on the Italian Baroque concerto grosso from the Baroque period, in which a small group (in this case, the wind quintet) performs alongside a larger ensemble.

The Concerto Grosso for Wind Quintet and Wind Orchestra was commissioned by the American Wind Symphony Orchestra.

- Program Note by Kevin Holzman for the Eastman Wind Ensemble

Media

Audio CD: Lakota West High School Symphonic Winds (Greg Snyder, conductor; Lakota West Alumni Woodwind Quintet) - 2006

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

West Point Band (Darrin Thiriot, conductor; West Point Woodwind Quintet) – 30 January 2016
Lakota West High School (West Chester, Ohio) Symphonic Winds (Greg Snyder, conductor; Lakota West Alumni Woodwind Quintet) – 22 December 2006 (2006 Midwest Clinic)
American Wind Symphony Orchestra (Pittsburgh, Penn.) (Robert Austin Boudreau, conductor) – 6 July 1958 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Autobiography (1979)
Carousel Waltz (as arranger) (1945/1957)
Christmas Overture (1981)
Cinderella Waltz (as arranger)
Concerto Grosso (1958/1959)
Down to the Sea in Ships (ed. Glaser) (1954/2016)
- SS Eagle March (1969/2016)
The Fabulous Country (1975)
Fanfare for the AWSO
Four Preludes (1974)
Gigi (as arranger) (1957/)
The Gondoliers (as arranger) (1889/1962)
King and I, The, Selections (as arranger) (1951)
Mademoiselle
The Many Moods of Christmas (arr. Rehbein) (2002)
The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite II (arr. Rogers) (1971/2019)
The Many Moods of Christmas, Suite IV (arr. Rogers) (1962/2019)
March of the Siamese Children (as arranger)
Oklahoma! (as arranger)
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (as arranger) (1970)
Picasso Suite Sketch (as arranger) (1974)
Porgy and Bess: Selections (as arranger) (1934/1942)
Rose Variations (1956)
Selections from "Suite of Old American Dances" (arr. Curnow) (1950/2005)
- Cake Walk (arr. Curnow) (1992)
- Western One-Step (arr. Curnow) (1989)
- Western One-Step (arr. Curnow) (1989)
Soap Box Derby March (1966)
The Sound of Music -- Selections (as arranger) (1959/1960)
South Pacific Symphonic Scenario (as arranger; adapt. Rogers) (1949/1999)
Suite of Old American Dances (1949)
Suite of Old American Dances (ed. Higgins) (1949/1952)
Symphonic Songs for Band (ed. Ferencz) (1958)
Three Humoresques
Track Meet (1961)
Twain and the River
Victory at Sea
White Christmas (as arranger) (1940/1948)

Resources

Bennett, R. (n.d.). Concerto Grosso [score]. Edition Peters Group: Leipzig.
Girsberger, Russ. Percussion Assignments for Band & Wind Ensemble. Volume I: A-K. Galesburg, MD: Meredith Music Publications, 2004, 29-30. Print.
Hawkins, Roy Benton. The Life and Work of Robert Russell Bennett. 1989. Texas Tech University. Ph.D. Dissertation.
Holzman, Kevin. " Eastman Wind Ensemble Welcomes Back the Midic Winds." Eastman School of Music. Web. Accessed 28 July 2021