Dithyrambos
Subtitle: For Wind Orchestra
General Info
Year: 2006
Duration: c. 8:00
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Bravo Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $300.00 (Rental)
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II-III
Oboe
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass 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-IV
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V-VI-VII, including:
- Bass Drum
- Crash Cymbals
- Castanets
- Glockenspiel
- Suspended Cymbal
- Snare Drum
- Tam-tam
- Tambourine
- Temple Blocks (3)
- Tenor Drum
- Tom-toms (3)
- Triangle
- Wood Blocks (4)
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
They also tell of certain destructions and disappearances and diseases and new births, which are riddles and fables pertaining to the aforesaid transformations: and they sing the dithyrambic song, filled with sufferings, and allusions to some change of state that brought with it wandering about and dispersion. For Aeschylus says: It is fitting the dithyramb, with its confused roar, should accompany Dionysus [...] ascribing to him a mingled playfulness and mischief, gravity and madness.
– Plutarch, Moralia, Book V, Chapter 2
The dithyramb, as referenced here by the first-century historian Plutarch, comes from ancient Grecian culture as a religious hymn. In this, even an attempt at an accurate recreation of the classical technique might seem far removed from the expectation of a modern Western audience, for this type of “hymn” is not one of a somber nature, but is rather a wild celebration of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, fertility ecstasy, and madness. Though modern culture has long since strayed from belief in the ancient Greek and Roman gods, the celebration of Dionysus’ harvest is a theme that has held on to some extent within the realm of art music, the spirit of which is mimicked in the bacchanales of Saint-Saëns (in his opera Samson and Delilah) and Wagner (in Tannhaüser) and recreated in Florent Schmitt’s masterwork for wind band, Dionysiaques. This latter example, in particular, carries sharp similarity to the aesthetic of Chang Su Koh’s Dithyrambos.
It should be no surprise that Koh’s music thrills at the incorporation of a wide variety of cultures. The composer, who has Korean lineage, was trained from an early age in Japan before pursuing advanced composition studies in Switzerland at the Musik Akademie Basel. The overall sound of Dithyrambos, though sometimes leaning toward exotically modal, is thoroughly Western and, in similar fashion, the arching structure is basically ternary with external sections that are riotous with feral intent contrasting a central development that is slower and more seductive in nature. Throughout, the piece is an explosive showcase of fierce virtuosity, predominated by frenetic accelerating rhythms and syncopations. Many of the distinctive motives from the opening (particularly those given to the brass) sound more like howling wails, perhaps reminiscent of the maenadic fury of Bacchus’ intoxicated followers. The central segment of the piece is greatly reliant on the woodwinds, with long and aching melodies presented first by saxophones, and then by a soli grouping of flutes, oboes, and clarinets. These melodies, which begin from a position of calm, wring themselves inevitably into a sustained furor that falls helplessly back into the obliterating rhythms of the work’s first few measures. Presenting further challenge, the rhythmic figures of the final tripartite section are notated within triple-based subdivision as opposed to the duple-based figures from the opening. A brief codetta recalls the sinuous modal melodies before a final shriek closes the work with reckless abandon.
- Program Note from University of North Carolina, Greensboro, Wind Ensemble concert program, 17 February 2017
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, Tx.) Wind Symphony (Bobby R. Francis, conductor) - 20 April 2023
- Carmel (Ind.) High School Wind Symphony (Michael Pote, Conductor) - 4 May 2019
- University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) Wind Ensemble (Kenneth Ozzello, conductor) – 3 February 2018
- Tarpon Springs (Fla.) Leadership Conservatory Wind Ensemble 1 (Kevin Ford, conductor) – 12 May 2017
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro, Wind Ensemble (John R. Locke, conductor) – 17 February 2017
- Baylor University (Waco, Tex.) Wind Ensemble (J. Eric Wilson, conductor) – 19 December 2014 (2014 Midwest Clinic)
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Afferoce (2014)
- Arirang and Akatonbo (as arranger) (2003)
- As the Sun Rises (2003-2004)
- Carnival Day (1999)
- Cherry Blossom Brilliance (2017)
- Chirche for Wind Orchestra (2019)
- Concerto for Wind Orchestra (2016)
- Dichterliebe (as arranger) (1840/2015)
- Dithyrambos (2006)
- Divertimento Based on Chatsumi (2005/2006)
- Eleutheria (2020)
- Fantajia (2016)
- Humoresque (2010)
- Il Calore di Tre Risaie (2022)
- Korean Dances (2004)
- Lament for Wind Orchestra (2002)
- Mindscape for Wind Orchestra (2015)
- Ode to R.S. (2012)
- Pansori'c Rhapsody (2008)
- Second Movement from "Streichquartett nr. 2" (as arranger) (1915-1917/2006)
- Vanitas for Wind Orchestra (2011)
- Viva! Osakan. See: Vive as an Oak
- Vive as an Oak (2019)