Please DONATE to help with maintenance and upkeep of the Wind Repertory Project!

American in Paris, An (arr Brubaker)

From Wind Repertory Project
Jump to navigation Jump to search
George Gershwin

George Gershwin (arr. Jerry Brubaker)


General Info

Year: 1929 / 1994
Duration: c. 8:25
Difficulty: IV 1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $85.00   |   Score Only - $9.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute III
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Bells
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Taxi Horns (4)
  • Tom-Tom
  • Wire Brush
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Gershwin was best known as a writer of music for the entertainment market, but he did make several excursions into the realm of art music. One of these was the result of a brief visit to Paris in 1926 (from which he returned with a French taxicab horn and the sketch of a melody) and a longer stay in 1928. He made use of both the horn and the melody while writing this piece during his second viit. He called the work a "rhapsodic ballet." His description follows:

" I have not endeavored to present any definite scenes in this music. The rhapsody is programmatic in a general impressionistic sort of way, so that the individual listener can read into the music such episodes as his imagination pictures for him. The opening section is followed by a rich 'blues' with a strong rhythmic undercurrent. Our American friend, perhaps after strolling into a cafe, has suddenly succumbed to a spasm of homesickness. The blues rises to a climax followed by a coda in which the spirit of the music returns to the vivacity and bubbling exuberance of the opening part with its impressions of Paris."

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

  • Virginia: III


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Texas Community College Band Directors Association All-State Symphonic Band (Caroline Beatty, conductor) – 11 February 2023 (2023 TMEA Conference, San Antonio)
  • University of New Mexico (Albuquerque) Symphonic Band (Steven Smyth, conductor) - 16 November 2022
  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Sarah McKoin, conductor) - 8 May 2021
  • Illinois State University (Normal) Symphonic Winds (Anthony Marinello, III, conductor) – 19 November 2019
  • University of South Florida (Tampa) Wind Ensemble (Logan Sorey, conductor) – 6 October 2019
  • Austin (Texas) Symphonic Band (Richard Floyd, conductor) - 12 November 2017
  • University of Texas (Austin) Symphony Band (Anthony C. Marinello III, conductor) – 5 May 2017
  • San Luis Obispo Wind Orchestra (David Rackley, conductor) – 27 September 2015
  • University of California, Santa Cruz, Wind Ensemble (Nathanial Berman, conductor) - 5 December 2014


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 226.
  • Gershwin, G.; Brubaker, J. (1994). An American in Paris [score]. WB Music Corp.: Miami, Fla.
Retrieved from "https://www.windrep.org/index.php?title=American_in_Paris,_An_(arr_Brubaker)&oldid=408242"