Bacchanale (Rudin)

From Wind Repertory Project
Rolf Rudin

Rolf Rudin


This work bears the designation Opus 20.


General Info

Year: 1990 / 1998
Duration: c. 11:30
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: edition flor
Cost: Score and Parts - Contact Rolf Rudin


Instrumentation

Full Score
C 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-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Flugelhorn I-II-III
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III-IV
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Glockenspiel
  • Rohrengloke
  • Roto-toms
  • Snare Drum
  • Temple Blocks
  • Tom-Tom
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Although Rudin found it difficult to decide on an appropriate title for Imperial Prelude, his first work for band, he found it quite easy to name his second band composition. In fact, the first piece was entirely completed before a title had been selected, but Rudin writes that the title Bacchanale “came to mind almost involuntarily when I was working with the score."

Bacchus was the Greco-Roman god of wine, and the original Latin term “bacchanal” referred to an ancient Roman festival to honor or worship the god, Later, the term came to insinuate a boisterous, drunken party. So, the term “bacchantic” can be taken to mean boisterous and exuberant. This is the atmosphere into which musicians and listeners find themselves the beginning of this piece.

The piece has three major formal divisions, but because of the two interludes that foreshadow the third section, one might initially hear five formal events. The composer describes the foreshadowing passages as mere interludes, with the melodic and harmonic material in the first two sections building to a pure apogee, or apex, in the third section. While the first two sections are very rhythmic and energetic, with a quick tempo, the closing section is very romantic in thematic and harmonic material, with a slow and resolute tempo. The piece provides a great deal of musical material to engage both the performers and the listeners in developing concepts of thematic progression, growth, and formal design.

- Program Note from Teaching Music Through Performance in Band


Commercial Discography


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. 2002. Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. Volume 4. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 583-589.
  • Rudin, R. (1998). Bacchanale für Sinfonisches Blasorchester ; Op. 20 ; (1990) [score]. Edition Flor: Erlensee.