Poem for Flute and Band

From Wind Repertory Project
Charles T. Griffes

Charles T Griffes (arr. James Thornton)


General Info

Year: 1918 / 1970
Duration: c. 9:15
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Flute and piano
Publisher: G. Schirmer
Cost: Score and Parts - Rental


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo Flute
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
B-flat Contrabass Clarinet (optional)
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
String Bass
Harp
Percussion I-II, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Gong
  • Marimba
  • Orchestra Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Tambourine
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

  • Percussion II: add "Orchestra Bells" to instrument list at the beginning of the part.


Program Notes

Charles Tomlinson Griffes composed Poem for Flute and Orchestra for Georges Barrère, the celebrated flutist for whom Edgard Varèse later wrote his famous Density 21.5. It was completed and first performed in 1919, shortly before Griffes collapsed from exhaustion due to influenza.

The piece opens with a melody sounding in the low strings before passing to the solo flute. A second theme, announced by the flute, adds a sense of oriental mystery, something found often in Griffes' music. These themes are transformed in several lively dance-like episodes, but the languorous mood of the opening returns and the work concludes in tranquil reverie.

- Program Note from Seattle Symphony CD Through the Looking Glass


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • The Naperville (Ill.) Winds (Sean Kelley, conductor; Whitney Bowden, flute) 14 March 2024
  • Capital Wind Symphony (Tysons, Va.) (George Etheridge, conductor; Erin Fleming Morgan, flute) - 7 November 2021
  • United States Military Academy Band (West Point N.Y.) (Tod Addison, conductor; Torin Olsen, flute) – 24 February 2018
  • United States Coast Guard Band (New London, Conn.) (Adam Williamson, conductor; Catherine Broyles, flute) – 15 January 2017
  • University of North Carolina, Greensboro, Symphonic Band (Kevin M. Geraldi, conductor; Erika Boysen, flute) – 17 November 2015
  • University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) Wind Symphony (W. Dale Warren, conductor; Ronda Mains, flute) – 16 November 2015
  • University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Wind Ensemble (Lindsey Sherman, flute) – 9 March 2009
  • United States Army Field Band (Washington, D.C.) I (Finley Hamilton, conductor; Dianna Powers, flute) – 17 December 2003 (2003 Midwest Clinic)


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Griffes, C.; Thornton, J. [1970]. Poem [score]. G. Schirmer: New York.