Illyrian Dances

From Wind Repertory Project
Guy Anthony Woolfenden

Guy Woolfenden


General Info

Year: 1986
Duration: c. 11:25
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ariel Music
Cost: Score and Parts - £105.00 | Score only - £15.00


Movements

1. Rondeau - 2:40
2. Aubade - 4:30
3. Gigue - 3:25


Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboes 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 Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Glockenspiel
  • Side Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Temple Block (large) (or Wood Block)
  • Tom Toms (3)
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Dedicated to Timothy Reynish.

Viola: What country, friends, is this?
Captain: This is Illyria, lady.

Shakespeare: Twelfth Night Act I., Sc 2


The precise geographical location of Illyria was not important to Shakespeare. What excited him with the resonance of the world itself and the romance of all far away, make-believe places. Illyria is Never Never Land and the idea of inventing dances for such a place intrigued me.

This suite of three dances as commissioned by the British Association of Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble with funds provided by West Midlands Arts. The first performance too place 26th September 1986 at Warwick University during the fifth annual BASBWE conference.

As Head of Music to the Royal Shakespeare Company, I have composed more than one hundred and fifty scores and with with Gallimaufry, some of the thematic material for the Illyrian Dances is adapted for music originally written for RSC productions.

- Program Note by composer


The first movement, Rondeau, contains a seven-bar refrain with a memorable rhythmic twist to it and alternates with variants which highlight most sections of the band. The work is dedicated to today’s conductor of the piece, Timothy Reynish. And this performance of the work is dedicated to the brilliant life of Guy Woolfenden who passed away earlier this year.

- Program Note from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Wind Symphony concert program, 14 December 2016


Awards


Media


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Western University (London, Ont., Can.) Wind Ensemble (Colleen Richardson, conductor) - 21 October 2023
  • Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, Ark.) Wind Ensemble (Craig V. Hamilton, conductor) - 6 March 2023
  • University of Toronto (Ont., Can.) Wind Symphony (Pratik Gandhi, conductor) - 15 October 2022
  • North Carolina 9-10 All State Honor Band (Margaret Underwood, conductor) - 1 May 2022
  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Concert Band (Joel Pagán, conductor) - 25 April 2022
  • Penn State University (University Park) Concert Band (Robert Hickey, conductor) - 27 April 2021
  • University of Kansas (Lawrence) Symphonic Band (Tom Davoren, conductor) - 12 October 2020
  • Ithaca (N.Y.) College Wind Symphony (Christopher Hughes, conductor) – 3 May 2019
  • Baylor University (Waco, Texas) Symphonic Band (Isaiah Odajima, conductor) – 26 April 2019
  • Michigan State University (East Lansing) Concert Band (Arris Golden, conductor) – 28 November 2018
  • University of North Dakota (Grand Forks) Wind Ensemble (James Popejoy, conductor) – 9 October 2018
  • Syracuse University (Syracuse, N.Y.) (Bradley P. Ethington, conductor) – 2 October 2018
  • Texas Tech University (Lubbock) Symphonic Band (Sarah McKoin, conductor) – 12 February 2018
  • University of Florida (Gainesville) Symphonic Band (John M. Watkins, Jr., conductor) – 30 November 2017
  • Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.) Symphonic Band (Timothy Yontz, conductor) – 4 November 2017
  • Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia, Ark.) Wind Ensemble (Craig V. Hamilton, conductor) – 30 October 2017
  • University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) Symphony Band (Arris Golden, conductor) – 16 October 2017
  • Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (Jacksonville, Fla.) Wind Symphony (Timothy Reynish, conductor) - 14 December 2016 (2016 Midwest Clinic)
  • University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) Wind Symphony (W. Dale Warren, conductor) – 21 November 2016
  • Sacramento (Calif.) Symphonic Winds (Timothy M. Smith, conductor) – 30 October 2016


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Woolfenden, G. (1995). Illyrian Dances: For Concert Band [score]. Ariel Music: Banbury.