Eighth Symphony (Barnes)

From Wind Repertory Project
James Barnes

James Barnes


Subtitle: Sinfonie für Wangen

The subtitle of this work translates from the German as Symphony for Wangen. It bears the designation Opus 148.


General Info

Year: 2017
Duration: c. 27:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Musikverlag RUNDEL GmbH
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $500.00   |   Score Only (print) - $80.00


Movements

1. Andante - ma non troppo – 11:00
2. Scherzo – 2:50
3. Romanza – 5:50
4. Finale – 7:20


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Bell Tree
  • Bongos (2)
  • Castanets
  • Chimes
  • Claves
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Crotales
  • Glockenspiel
  • Mark Tree
  • Snare Drums (2: piccolo and concert)
  • Splash Cymbal
  • Suspended Cymbals (3: large)
  • Tam-tam
  • Tambourine
  • Temple Blocks (4)
  • Tom-toms (3)
  • Triangles (3: two 7" and one 9")
  • Vibraphone
  • Whip
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

In 2013, I had the pleasure of coming to Wangen im Allgäu and meeting with Tobias Zinser, the conductor of the Stadtkapelle Wangen, and Mayor Michael Lang. We talked about the assignment to write a large composition for the city's 1200th anniversary in 2015. At that time Tobias Zinser told me that he would like “a symphony - similar to Brahms.” I am truly not Johannes Brahms and I would never presume to put myself on a par with him. But of course I was happy to compose a symphony for this special historical celebration of the city of Wangen - traditionally in four movements:

I. Andante - ma non troppo
The first movement in A minor is in the classic sonata form, consisting of exposition, development, recapitulation and coda. The whole movement seems rather dark and dramatic, with an extended development and a rather unobtrusive ending.

II. Scherzo
The second movement is in D major, has significantly more modern harmonies (polyharmonic) and places the percussion register in the foreground. It is striking that there are no instruments that sound deeper than trombones and bassoons. This gives the sentence a very light, transparent appearance.

III. Romanza
I composed the third movement in song form in F minor. It is very reminiscent of a romantic symphony with traditional harmonies and very rich instrumentation, but I have also given it some "typical American" harmonic expressions.

IV. Finale
The finale in B flat major is a fast-moving, concluding movement in a modified sonata form. It literally bristles with radiant fanfares and driving rhythms. The expanded development is followed by a dramatic recapitulation that eventually leads to a lively vivace coda.

- Program Note by composer


Für die Stadt Wangen im Allgäu zum 1200-jährigen Jubiläum

- Program Note from score


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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