What a Wonderful World

Bob Thiele

George David Weiss

Bob Thiele and George David Weiss (arr. Richard Saucedo)

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General Info

Year: 1967 / 1999
Duration: c. 3:10
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts - $55.00 | Score Only - $5.00

Instrumentation

Full Score
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Electric Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III

(percussion detail desired)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

This timeless song, originally recorded by Louis Armstrong, is heard on the Kenny G album, cleverly incorporating Louis' voice with Kenny's sweet saxophone.

- Program Note from publisher

What a Wonderful World is a song written by Bob Thiele (as "George Douglas") and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released as a single in 1967. Armstrong's recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Intended as an antidote for the increasingly racially and politically charged climate of everyday life in the United States, the song also has a hopeful, optimistic tone with regard to the future, with reference to babies being born into the world and having much to look forward to. The song was initially offered to Tony Bennett, who turned it down. Thereafter, it was offered to Louis Armstrong. George Weiss recounts in the book Off the Record: Songwriters on Songwriting by Graham Nash that he wrote the song specifically for Louis Armstrong. Weiss was inspired by Armstrong's ability to bring people of different races together. Armstrong's recording was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

According to Thiele's memoir, the recording session for this now-famous song was the scene of a major clash with ABC Records president Larry Newton, who had to be locked out of the studio after getting into a heated argument with Thiele over the song. What a Wonderful World was credited to George Douglas or Stanley Clayton. These are pseudonyms Thiele used, made from the names of his uncles, Stanley, Clayton, George, and Douglas.

- Program Note from Wikipedia

Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Kennesaw (Ga.) State University University Band (Brandon Meeks, conductor) - 24 April 2023
University of Kansas (Lawrence) Wind Ensemble (Paul Popiel, conductor; Tyler Walker, alto saxophone) - 13 September 2020
Lone Star Symphonic Band (Katy, Tex.) (Bob Bryant, conductor; Justin Jones, alto saxophone) - 7 May 2017
Oakland (Calif.) Municipal Band (Troy Davis, conductor; Dick Mathias, alto saxophone) – 4 July 2015
Band at the Beach (San Diego, Calif.) (Pauline Crooks, conductor; Jake Boring and Dennis Feinland, alto saxophones) – August 2013

Works for Winds by This Composer