Summer

From Wind Repertory Project
Johan de Meij

Johan de Meij


Subtitle: Symphonic Poem


General Info

Year: 2013
Duration: c. 11:00
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Amstel Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $220.00   |   Score Only (print) - $44.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute III
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Cow Bells
  • Crash Cymbal
  • Glockenspiel
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tubular Bells
  • Triangle
  • Vibraphone
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Summer is the second in a series of symphonic poems, inspired by the seasons and the folk music of Scandinavia. In Spring, I made use of two Swedish folk tunes, whereas Summer focuses on Finnish folk music.

The work opens with an impression of the pastoral landscape of Ostrobothnia, an elongated area on the west coast of Finland. The majority of the people speak Swedish, and their music is still clearly influenced by Swedish folk music.

As in Spring, the music continues with a polka, based on the opening bars of Suomis Sång (‘Song of Finland’). After a brief horn interlude, a saxophone quartet plays from behind the stage Ant han dansa med mej (‘Ant was dancing with me’), while the orchestra starts up an ostinato bass line that marks the transition to the finale.

A gradual build-up to the Sun Theme from Spring (measures 301-305) results in a radiant conclusion, with a short quotation from the first symphony of Jean Sibelius, Finland's musical icon.

Summer was commissioned by The Federation of Swedish Amateur Choirs and Orchestras in Finland (FSSMF), as the test piece for the 2014 Finnish National Wind Orchestra Competition in Pietarsaari, Finland.

- Program Note by World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE)


Awards


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources