Diamond Variations
General Info
Year: 1968
Duration: c. 13:37
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music
Cost: Score and Parts - Out of Print.
Instrumentation
Full Score
Condensed Score
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
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crash Cymbal
- Glockenspiel
- Snare Drum
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tam-tam
- Timbales (4)
- Triangle
- Vibraphone
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
A monumental work for concert band, Diamond Variations is a set of five variations on the trio melody of the march "Illinois Loyalty." The variations are not thematic as such, but based upon fragments of the melody. There are several reasons why works become standard repertoire; one listen will tell you why this work had achieved this vaulted status.
- Program Note from publisher
Diamond Variations was composed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the University of Illinois Band. The trio of Illinois Loyalty is used as the basis of the variations, although the theme as such never appears in the set of five variations. After a short introduction based on the phrase "Alma Mater," the fragments of the march theme undergo various settings and alterations. The first variation is a grotesque dance; the second is more mysterious and sinister; the third is full of driving figures and rhythmic punctuations; the fourth is more peaceful and almost romantic; and the fifth gives almost every instrument in the band a chance to have its say about the theme. The theme almost appears in the brass near the end in an augmented, quasi-waltz setting.
Diamond Variations won the American Bandmasters Association's Ostwald Award in 1968.
- Program Note from Program Notes for Band
Awards
- American Bandmasters Association's Ostwald Award, 1968, winner.
Media
- Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
- Audio CD: United States Air Force Band (Alan L. Bonner, conductor) - 2009
State Ratings
- Florida: VI
- Georgia: VI
- Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP I
- Kansas: VI
- Maryland: V
- New York: Concert Band VI
- North Carolina: VI
- Oklahoma: V-A
- South Carolina: VI
- Tennessee: VI
- Virginia: VI
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Indiana University at South Bend Wind Symphony / Twin Cities Concert Band (Dennis Gamble, conductor) - 30 March 2019
- Minnesota State Band (Saint Paul) (Charles Boody, conductor) - 3 December 2014
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Apocalypse (1972)
- Appalachian Carol Festival (1983)
- Blithe Bells (as arranger) (1989)
- Bold Venture (1990)
- Carpathian Sketches (1978)
- Cliff Island Suite (1990)
- Chorale and Toccata (1967/1971)
- Colonial Airs and Dances (1987)
- A Commemorative Suite (1987)
- Concert in the Park (2004)
- Concerto for Band (1981)
- Concerto for Bass Tuba and Concert Band (1981)
- Concerto for Euphonium and Band (1985)
- Concerto for Percussion and Band (1984)
- Concerto No. 2 for Alto Saxophone (1977)
- Courage to Serve March (1971)
- Diamond Variations (1968)
- Eagle Rock Overture (1986)
- Epilogue: "Lest We Forget" (1992)
- Esprit de Corps (1984)
- Eternal Vigilance (2008)
- First Suite for Band (1995)
- Hebraic Rhapsody (2000)
- Heroic Saga (1986)
- Highland Fling (2005)
- In Sunshine and Shadows (2004)
- Japanese Prints (1976)
- Joan of Arc (2008)
- Jubilate (1978)
- The Last Full Measure of Devotion (1995)
- Like a Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire (1997/2013)
- Litany (1981)
- Lord, Guard and Guide (1993)
- March Dramatic (1967/1996)
- March of the Dragonmasters (1984)
- Meditations on an Old Scottish Hymn Tune (1993)
- Mystic Chords of Memory (1999/2001)
- Old Time Spirit (1986/1997)
- Pastorale and Country Dance (1979)
- Potomac Festival Overture (1990)
- Preamble (1975)
- Prelude: Concert Liberte (1976)
- Prelude on an Old Southern Hymn (1983)
- A Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire. See: Like a Sea of Glass Mingled with Fire
- Second Suite (1965)
- Shivaree (1976)
- Sinfonia Hungarica (1998)
- Sinfonia Noblissima (1965)
- Sinfonietta (1973)
- Stars and Bars (1965)
- Suite from "Edvard Munch" (1967/1996)
- Symphony for Band (1965)
- Symphony No. 2 (1976)
- Symphony No. 3 (2003/2018)
- Tableau (1982)
- The Tennessean March (1968)
- Testament (1988)
- Third Suite (1966)
- Three Chinese Miniatures (1993)
- To Music (2003)
- The Tour de Force March (1970)
- Triumph and Tradition (1985)
- Uncommon Valor March (1991)
- Under the Big Top (1987)
- Variants on the Air Force Hymn (2000)
- Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann (1968)
- The Wall (1993)
- The World Turned Upside Down (1983)
Resources
- Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 324
- Jager, R. (1968). Diamond Variations: Five Variations [score]. Volkwein Bros.: Pittsburgh, Pa.