Victory at Sea

From Wind Repertory Project
Robert Russell Bennett
Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers and Robert Russell Bennett


Subtitle: Symphonic Scenario


General Info

Year: 1952 / 955
Duration: c. 10:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Williamson Music, exclusively distributed by Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts - $85.00   |   Score Only - $7.50


Instrumentation

Piano (Conductor 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
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-f;at Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet Solo-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:

  • Snare drum
  • Oriental drum
  • Military drum
  • Bass drum
  • Crash cymbals
  • Suspended cymbal
  • Large gong
  • Tambourine
  • Low bells
  • Orchestra bells
  • Xylophone


Errata

In Parts:

  • B-flat Trumpet I, m.277, beat 1: G should read B.
  • Horn in F I, m.108, beat 4-6: The rhythm should read: eighth rest - eighth note - eighth note.
  • Horn in F I, m.243, beat 1: Add quarter rest.
  • Horn in F I, m.278, beat 1&: C should read B.
  • Horn in F I, m.280, beat 1&: G natural should read G sharp.
  • Horn in F II, m.23: Delete smudge at top of measure.
  • Horn in F II, m.80: Remove rehearsal "81".
  • Horn in F II, m.81: Add rehearsal "81".
  • Horn in F II, m.158: Add B-flat key signature.
  • Baritone T.C., m.160, beat 6: Add eighth rest.
  • Basses, m.253, beat 2: Lower voice A should read G.
  • Percussion, m.22: Add rehearsal figure "22".
  • Percussion, m.27: Change rehearsal figure "22" to "27".


Program Notes

The documentary television series about naval warfare during World War II entitled Victory at Sea was originally broadcast by NBC in the United States in 1952 and 1953. It was condensed into a film in 1954. Excerpts from the music soundtrack, by Richard Rodgers and Robert Russell Bennett, were re-recorded and sold as record albums. The series, which won an Emmy award in 1954 as "best public affairs program," played an important part in establishing historic "compilation" documentaries as a viable television genre.

The New Yorker Magazine describes the music as "a seemingly endless creation, now martial, now tremendously moving." The symphonic sweep of Rodgers's score captures the moods and variations of the panoramic war at sea in all its terror and beauty, and adds an elusive emotional dimension which neither camera nor words quite convey.

Rodgers's music is greatly enhanced by the comprehensive arrangement of his long-time collaborator, Robert Russell Bennett. Bennett transformed 12 of Rodgers's 24 "themes" — Song of the High Seas (main theme), Submarines in a Calm Sea, Beneath the Southern Cross, The Guadalcanal March, The Sunny Pacific Islands, The Approaching Enemy, Death and Debris, The Hymn of Victory, Big Wave -- into today's symphonic scenario. Bennett also composed much more original material than Rodgers had, for which he received little credit.

- Program Note adapted from Wikipedia and Program Notes for Band


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Peninsula Symphonic Band (Palo Alto, Calif.) (Ted Henderson, conductor) - 20 August 2023
  • Spring Garden Band of York (Dover, Penn.) (Jeffrey Shaull, conductor) - 3 July 2012
  • California State University Northridge Wind Ensemble (Lawrence Stoffel, conductor) - 2 May 2023
  • Virginia Grand Military Band (Alexandria) (Loras John Schissel, conductor) - 5 November 2022
  • Blossom Festival Band (Cleveland, Ohio) (Loras John Schissel, conductor) - 4 July 2022
  • Heart of Texas Concert Band (San Antonio) (R. Mark Rogers, conductor) - 4 July 2021
  • Andrews University (Berrien Spring, Mich.) Wind Symphony (Byron Graves, conductor) - 24 October 2020
  • Philadelphia (Penn.) Wind Symphony (Paul Bryan, conductor) – 26 October 2019
  • United States Coast Guard Band (New London Conn.) (Lewis J. Buckley, conductor) – 13 October 2019
  • Cary (N.C.) Town Band (Stuart Holoman, conductor) – 15 June 2019
  • Kenosha (Wisc.) Pops Concert Band (Craig Gall, conductor)– 12 June 2019
  • Lodi (Calif.) Community Band (Art Holton, conductor) – 8 June 2018 (Golden Gate Park, San Francisco)
  • Gottschalk Music Center Concert Band (Modesto, Calif.) (Matthew Cover, conductor) – 8 June 2018 (Golden Gate Park, San Francisco)
  • Hopatcong (N.J.) Wind Ensemble (Kurt Zimmerman, conductor) – 16 May 2019
  • Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, Penn.) Symphony Band (Jason Worzbyt, conductor) – 10 November 2018
  • Encore Concert Band (Mokena, Ill.) (Bill Schuetter, conductor) - 4 July 2018
  • Le Mars (Iowa) Municipal Band (Jerry Bertrand, conductor) - 27 June 2018
  • Atascadero (Calif.) Community Band (Gary Willems, conductor) – 19 June 2018
  • California State University, Northridge, Wind Ensemble (Lawrence Stoffel, conductor) – 3 May 2018


Works for Winds by these Composers

Richard Rodgers Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Robert Russell Bennett


Resources

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