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Symphony of Winds (Bourgeois)

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Derek Bourgeois

Derek Bourgeois


This work bears the designation Opus 67.


General Info

Year: 1980 / 2004
Duration: c. 14:50
Difficulty: VI (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: HAFABRA Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - €242.00   |   Score Only (print) - €49.00


Movements

1. Hurricane – 3:15
2. Zephyr – 4:40
3. March Winds – 6:55


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Castanets
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Slapstick
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-tam
  • Tenor Drum
  • Triangle
  • Wind Machine
  • Wood Block


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Derek Bourgeois’ Symphony of Winds is a virtuosic exploration of the wealth of luxurious sound that is the wind orchestra. The symphony and the subsequent sinfonietta, commissioned by Harry Legge for what is now the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, are both difficult technically but not musically, and I suspect that back in the eighties many of us were embarrassed at hearing a world premiere which was enjoyable, challenging the players but not the audiences. It was suggested that the intellectual demands just did not match the technical requirements; now, in a post-modern era, when instrumental technique is far more advanced and composers once again dare to write real tunes and traditional harmonies, it is high time that we revisited both of these pieces.

The first movement is almost a moto perpetuo, a swirling gale that howls through the woodwind, punctuated by syncopated chords and a jazzy farranging theme for brass, resting once briefly. In contrast, the second movement paints an English idyll, gently moving chords and trills of bird-song that are set against an almost Delian melody for brass, with a little scherzando middle section. The finale is an unashamed summing up of every pomp and xircumstance march ever penned, with several outrageous jokes, and a trio to end all trios.

Commissioned by Timothy Reynish for the College Band Directors National Association, for the 1st International Conference for Symphonic Bands & Wind Ensembles in 1981. Premiere by California State University, Northridge, conducted by the composer.

- Program Note from liner notes for Mark CD Tim Reynish Volume 3


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

  • Serenade (Flex instrumentation) (adapt. Brand) (1965/1980/2020)


All Wind Works


Resources

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