Petite Symphonie (arr Xin Su)

Charles Gounod

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General Info

Year: 1885 / 2021
Duration: c. 19:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Chamber ensemble
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown

Movements

1. Adagio, Allegro - 5:50
2. Andante Cantabile - 5:05
3. Scherzo: Allegro Moderato - 4:07
4. Finale: Allegretto - 5:25

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
Horn in F I-II

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Petite symphonie pour neuf instruments à vent, or the "Little Symphony for Winds," was composed in 1885. Gounod's friend, and flute professor at the Paris Conservatiore, Paul Taffanel, commissioned him to write a chamber piece for winds. Its instrumentation of a wind octet, with an added flute part in honor of Taffanel, is modeled after Mozart’s wind serenades.

This complete miniature symphony is elegant, delicate, and sweet. The first movement uses a slow introduction, like that of Haydn, and an Allegretto in sonata form. The second movement features the added flute part. The scherzo that follows is based on a hunting theme, with a lively finale in the fourth movement to end the symphony.

- Notes from The Philharmonic Winds

Like many French instrumental works of the late Romantic era, Petite Symphonie is anti-Wagnerian in its simplicity and its conservative form. In four movements, the work follows the form of a standard symphony. Themes are regular in structure, follow traditional harmonic expectations, and contrast in character. This work is playable by fine high school and collegiate musicians, although younger groups may opt to perform select movements. This is an excellent piece for teaching style and interpretation. As solos are passed around the group, players must listen across the ensemble to perform in a stylistically cohesive manner. This delightful piece could serve as a refreshing contribution to a standard band concert.

- Notes from Great Music for Wind Band

Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Ohio State University (Columbus) Chamber Ensemble (Xin Su, conductor) - 8 February 2021

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Funeral March of a Marionette (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Marlatt) (1872/2008)

All Wind Works

Ah! Je Veux Vivre from "Romeo and Juliet" (tr. Odom) (1867)
Ballet Music from "Faust"
Festive Dance from "Faust" (arr. Glover) (1859/2003)
Funeral March of a Marionette (arr. Squires) (1872/2001)
Funeral March of a Marionette (transposed Brackett) (1872/2004)
Funeral March of a Marionette (Flex instrumentation) (arr. Marlatt) (1872/2008)
La Reine de Saba (1862)
Petite Symphonie (1885)
Petite Symphonie (arr. Fennell) (1885/1985)
Petite Symphonie (arr. Xin Su) (1885/2021)

Resources

Nicholson, Chad. (2009). Great Music for Wind Band: A Guide to the Top 100 Works in Grades IV, V, VI. Galesville, MD: Meredith Music Publications. pp 40-41.