Symphony II (Syler)

James Syler

General Info

Year: 2019
Duration: c. 20:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: James Syler
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $400.00 | Score Only (print) - $50.00

Movements

1. Andante
2. Adagio
3. Passacaglia & Fugue

Instrumentation

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

Bass Drum
Chimes
Crash Cymbals
Field Drum
Marimba
Orchestra Bells
Snare Drum
Suspended Cymbal
Tam-tam (large)
Triangle
Vibraphone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The foundation of this music is an ascending three-note motive of C-Ab-B. This motive is the basis for the primary 12-tone theme heard at the beginning.

Movement I. is a modified sonata form with a mood of foreboding. It may feel nervous, alarming, comical at times, and militaristic.

Movement II. is an ABA form built on an excerpt of the original theme from movement I. The zenith of the movement is a quiet chorale. This movement may feel like it is traveling and looking back with nostalgia.

Movement III. is a passacaglia and eight variations followed by a double fugue featuring two subjects heard simultaneously. The themes of the previous two movements reappear as the music develops into a dissonant texture that transitions to the opening bass ostinato. As the brass build tension, the music pushes towards its inevitable new tonic of G major.

- Program Note from publisher

Awards

National Band Association/Revelli Memorial Composition Contest, 2020, Finalist.

Commercial Discography

Audio CD: Arkansas Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Daniel Belongia, conductor)

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (David Campo, conductor) – 22 February 2020 (CBDNA 2020 Southwestern Division Conference, Norman, Okla.)
University of Connecticut (Storrs) Wind Symphony (Vu Nguyen, conductor) – 22 February 2020 (CBDNA 2020 Eastern Division Conference, Philadelphia, Penn.)
Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton) Wind Ensemble (Kyle Prescott, conductor) – 21 February 2020 (CBDNA 2020 Southern Division Conference, Natchitoches, La.)
Roosevelt University Chicago College of Performing Arts Wind Ensemble (Stephen Squires, conductor) – 23 October 2019
Wichita (Kan.) State University Wind Ensemble (Tim Shade, conductor) – 2 September 2019 *Premiere Performance*

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Blue-Bop (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
Hard Times Come Again No More (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1854/2020)
Mam-Blu (Flex instrumentation) (2006/2020)
The Road Not Taken (Flex instrumentation) (1993/2020)
Scintilla (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)

All Wind Works

Blue-Bop (Flex instrumentation) (2020)
A Blue Streak
Cantique (2012)
Congo Square (2016)
Country Bandstand (2002)
Fantasia on "Silent Night"
Fields (1994)
Galop (as transcriber) (c. 1909/2013)
Gearbox (2009)
Hard Times Come Again No More (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger) (1854/2020)
The Harmonious Blacksmith (as arranger) (1720/2020)
Hocus Pocus (2013)
The Hound of Heaven (1988)
Hymn for Emmanuel (2015)
Love Among the Ruins (2016)
Mam-Blu (Flex instrumentation) (2006/2020)
Minton's Playhouse (1994)
O Magnum Mysterium (1996)
The Road Not Taken (Flex instrumentation) (1993/2020)
Scintilla (Flex instrumentation) (2018/2020)
Silent Shadows to the Last (2017)
Sinfonietta (2012)
Storyville (1996)
Suite Louisiane (2018)
Symphony No. 1, “Blue” (1999)
Symphony No. 2 (2019)
Tattoo (2005)
The Temptation of St. Anthony (2014)
Suite Argentine (2020)
Wu Xing (2016)

Resources

James Syler, personal correspondence, April 2021
James Syler website Accessed 6 February 2020