Concertino (Weber)

From Wind Repertory Project
Carl Maria von Weber

Carl Maria von Weber (arr. Alfred Reed; ed. McCathren)


Subtitle: Bb clarinet Solo with Concert Band : Op. 26


General Info

Year: 1811 / 1962
Duration: c. 9:00
Difficulty: V (solo); III (ensemble) (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Kendor Music
Cost: Score and Parts (digital) - $68.00   |   Score Only (print) - $3.50


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo B-flat Clarinet
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
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Timpani


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Concertino, Op. 26, by Weber is one of the great works of the clarinetists' repertoire. Its first performance as on April 5, 1811, and the concert was such a success that the composer was commissioned to write two more selections for the clarinet. These fine works brought even greater fame to Weber, already a highly respected composer, and established the clarinet as a leading instrument for the expression of Romantic music. This concertino to this day remains the most popular solo in the clarinetists' repertoire.

The work opens with a slow introduction and proceeds to a leisurely theme followed by several contrasting variations.

- Program Note from Program Notes for Band


Carl Maria von Weber wrote his Concertino for Clarinet in E♭ Major, Op. 26, J. 109 for clarinetist Heinrich Bärmann in 1811. Weber wrote the work in three days between March 29 and April 3; Bärmann learned the work over the next three days; and the command performance, for which King Maximilian I of Bavaria purchased 50 tickets, took place on the evening of April 5.

The concertino unfolds in one movement. The form is theme and variations. The piece begins with a slow introduction in C Minor. The E-flat major theme is sixteen bars in length. The next section is marked poco più vivo. In some editions, what follows is "Variation I," though it could be argued that the previous section is actually the first variation. In any event, the so-called Variation I presents variations of the theme in triplets. The so-called "Variation II" is marked poco più vivo and presents sixteenth notes. The following variation is slow and in the parallel minor. The next variation is in 6/8 time. The piece concludes with a section marked con fuoco.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Heart of Texas Concert Band (San Antonio) (R. Mark Rogers, conductor) - 19 November 2023
  • University of Indianapolis (Ind.) Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Jon S. Noworyta, conductor; David Bellman, clarinet) - 23 April 2023
  • Perimeter College (Dunwoody, Ga.) Wind Ensemble (Slava Prudchenko, conductor; Igor Begelman, clarinet) - 20 April 2023
  • Toms River (N.J.) High School South Symphonic Band (Christopher L. Test, conductor; Jack Harjes, clarinet) - June 2022
  • Cottey Wind Ensemble (Nevada, Mo.) (Jackie Lordo, conductor; Amanda Cook, clarinet) – 27 April 2019
  • Allan Hancock College (Santa Maria, Calif.) Concert Band (Greg Stoll, conductor) - 12 May 2018
  • Long Island University Post Wind Symphony (James McRoy, conductor; Levana Cohen, clarinet) – 7 December 2017
  • Austin (Texas) Symphonic Band (Richard Floyd, conductor; Stephen Williamson, clarinet) - 13 November 2017
  • Charlottesville (Va.) Municipal Band (Steve Layman, conductor; Charlotte MacDonald, clarinet) – 23 April 2017
  • Oyster Bay (N.Y.) High School Wind Ensemble (Benjamin Fox, clarinet) - 2014
  • Rising Starr Middle School (Fayetteville, Ga.) Symphonic Band (Steven Tyndall, conductor; Emily Tyndall, clarinet) – 17 December 2008 (2008 Midwest Clinic)


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources