Purgatorio

From Wind Repertory Project
Robert W. Smith

Robert W Smith


This work is the second movement of the composer's Symphony No. 1, The Divine Comedy.


General Info

Year: 1997
Duration: c. 6:55
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Alfred Music Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $87.00; (digital) - $87.00   |   Score Only (print) - $15.00; (digital) - $9.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Contra-Alto Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II (I doubling B-flat Soprano Saxophone)
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
Piano
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Beaded Gourd (large)
  • Cabasa
  • Chimes
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Taiko Drums (2; optional Tom-toms (low))
  • Xylophone


Errata

In Parts:

  • Mallet Percussion, Taiko Drum, m.155-178: There should be a repeated 4 bar phrase that is not printed in the part (1st bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note; 2nd bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note; 3rd bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: 2 eighth notes; 4th bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note). Each 4 bar phrase fits into these measures: m.155-158, m.159-162, m.163-166, m.167-170, m.171-174, m.175-178. IMPORTANT - Unlike the other 4 bar phrases m.175-178 is a bit different, the first three bars are the same as the other 4 bar phrases but m.178 should be the same as m.177 (beat 1 - quarter note, beat 2 - 2 eighth notes, beat 3 - 2 eighth notes). The phrasing that is printed is still the same, but make sure the hairpin decrescendo starts on beat 2 of m.159.
  • Timpani, m.155-178: There should be a repeated 4 bar phrase that is not printed in the part (1st bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note; 2nd bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note; 3rd bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: 2 eighth notes; 4th bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note). Each 4 bar phrase fits into these measures: m.155-158, m.159-162, m.163-166, m.167-170, m.171-174, m.175-178. Unlike the other parts, m.178 should be - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note. The phrasing that is printed is still the same, but make sure the hairpin decrescendo starts on beat 2 of m.159.
  • Percussion I, Taiko Drum, m.155-178: There should be a repeated 4 bar phrase that is not printed in the part (1st bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note; 2nd bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note; 3rd bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: 2 eighth notes; 4th bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note). Each 4 bar phrase fits into these measures: m.155-158, m.159-162, m.163-166, m.167-170, m.171-174, m.175-178. IMPORTANT - Unlike the other 4 bar phrases m.175-178 is a bit different, the first three bars are the same as the other 4 bar phrases but m.178 should be the same as m.177 (beat 1 - quarter note, beat 2 - 2 eighth notes, beat 3 - 2 eighth notes). The phrasing that is printed is still the same, but make sure the hairpin decrescendo starts on beat 2 of m.159.
  • Percussion II, Bass Drum, m.155-178: There should be a repeated 4 bar phrase that is not printed in the part (1st bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note; 2nd bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note; 3rd bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: 2 eighth notes; 4th bar - beat 1: quarter note, beat 2: 2 eighth notes, beat 3: quarter note). Each 4 bar phrase fits into these measures: m.155-158, m.159-162, m.163-166, m.167-170, m.171-174, m.175-178. IMPORTANT - Unlike the other 4 bar phrases m.175-178 is a bit different, the first three bars are the same as the other 4 bar phrases but m.178 should be the same as m.177 (beat 1 - quarter note, beat 2 - 2 eighth notes, beat 3 - 2 eighth notes). The phrasing that is printed is still the same, but make sure the hairpin decrescendo starts on beat 2 of m.159.


In Score and Parts:

  • Flute I, m.16: Should be tutti here
  • Flute II, m.16: Should be tutti here
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone I, m.59: Should be Alto Saxophone playing until Soprano is said to play again
  • E-flat Alto Saxophone II, m.59: Should be Alto Saxophone playing until Soprano is said to play again
  • Percussion I, m.182: All three notes of the "Gloria!" should be C's
  • Percussion II, m.182: All three notes of the "Gloria!" should be C's
  • Percussion III, m.182: All three notes of the "Gloria!" should be C's

- Potential errata noted by Matthew LeFebvre


Program Notes

This is the second movement of The Divine Comedy, Robert Smith's first symphony for band. Includes chanting, singing, moaning and other sound effects creating a contemplation of Purgatory.

- Program Note from publisher


Commissioned by the James Madison University Band, Harrisonburg, VA, Dr J. Patrick Rooney, Director of Bands.

- Program Note from score


Media


State Ratings

  • Kansas: V
  • North Carolina: VI
  • Tennessee: IV


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

  • Perusal score
  • Robert W. Smith website Accessed 6 September 2021
  • Smith, Norman E. (2002). Program Notes for Band. Chicago: GIA Publications, pp. 549.
  • Smith, R. (1997). Purgatorio: From The Divine Comedy [score]. Belwin Mills: Miami, Fla.