Congolese

William Owens

General Info

Year: 2017
Duration: c. 3:30
Difficulty: II-1/2 (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: FJH Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $55.00; (digital) - $55.00 | Score Only (print) - $8.00

Instrumentation

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

Bar Chimes
Bass Drum
Bells
Bongos
Claves
Crash Cymbals
Maracas
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tambourine
Triangle
Vibraphone
Vibra-slap

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The title of this creative work refers to the Congo rain forest of Africa, a place with more than 60 tree species and 10,000 animal species. The music places the listener at the center of a vast and foreboding land filled with mystery, intrigue, and danger; the piece begins briskly yet in a somber mood with soft melodic material in the clarinet accompanied by low brass and winds. The mood gradually changes as additional instruments are added to depict a wild flurry of animal activity at its peak. A full band section follows and builds in intensity before moving to a slow and tranquil contrasting passage, representing the nighttime scenario as the fore3st becomes mysteriously calm. The brisk tempo returns at daylight to convey a lively mood, introducing a bold and energetic final section that brings the musical safari to a dramatic conclusion.

- Program Note from The Instrumentalist

Embark on a beautiful and mysterious musical safari through the Congo jungle in this riveting sonic travelog. The lively and rhythmic allegro sections bring the exotic culture to life, balanced by a haunting andante section that hints at the hidden secrets of the deep jungles. A wide spectrum of sounds and rhythms will be enjoyed by all the explorers on this engaging excursion.

- Program Note from publisher

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

City High School Concert Band (William Owens, conductor) – 15 February 2018

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Carpathia (Flex instrumentation) (2007/2021)
Flourishes (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2021)
Tambora! (Flex instrumentation) (2013/2020)

All Wind Works

Across the Great Plains (2017)
Albany Fanfare (2011)
Battle Command
The Blue Orchid (2005)
But Joy Comes... (2010)
Captain Dane (2003)
Carnegie Anthem (2012)
Carpathia (2007)
Carpathia (Flex instrumentation) (2007/2021)
Caverns of Sonora (2019)
Chisholm
Congolese (2017)
Corps of Discovery (2010)
Courtlandt County Festival (2004)
Credo (2012)
Curtain Up!
Declaration and Dance (Owens) (2010)
Destined to Fly (2018)
Egyptique (2010)
El Pato Loco (2010)
El Vaquero! (2017)
Every Day New (2018)
Excelsior! (2008)
Festive Proclamation (2015)
Flourishes! (2019)
Flourishes! (Flex instrumentation) (2019/2021)
Great Wall (2016)
Hark! (A Holiday Celebration) (As arranger)
Heavenwards (2015)
Heroes Triumphant (2012)
Hopak! (2014)
In Autumn (2009)
Ironclads (The Monitor and the Merrimack) (2012)
Journey of the Bonfire (2017)
Jupiter (as arranger) (1916/2006)
Kitty Hawk, 1903 (2010)
Maesong (2004)
Mars (as arranger) (1916/2009)
The Mighty 97th (2008)
New Horizons March (2016)
Paintings (2011)
Paradise Awaiting... (2017)
Quicksilver (2018)
Resplendence (2017)
The Southern Dawn (1998/2002)
Spit-Fire (2013)
Summit Fanfare (2008)
The Tahoka Galop (2004)
Tambora! ((2013)
Tambora! (Flex instrumentation) (2013/2020)
Three Scottish Vistas (2007)
Tudor Sketches (2013)
Tundra (2018)
The Wings of Mercury
With Valor and Brave Heart (2011)
Yonaguska (2016)
Zia (2014)

Resources

"New Music Reviews." The Instrumentalist, 72/9 (April 2018), p. 32.
Perusal score
William Owens website Accessed 29 August 2021