Favorie Wind Ensamble Peices

[Wyvern]

Deathtree-Holsinger

Stop the tread. We have our winner.

That's one I have never heard of - what makes it so special?

[Mojo workin']

Cameron Gates wrote:
ZNC Dandy wrote:

Deathtree-Holsinger



Stop the tread. We have our winner.

That's one I have never heard of - what makes it so special?

I've heard The President's Own U.S. Marine Band play this a number of times, on Easter Sunday.

It is a musical depiction of the crucifixion that is a very powerfully done, emotionally intense piece. If you haven't heard it before, you should try to. Perhaps Cameron Gates could elaborate more, I'm sure he's played it a number of times.

[dfwtuba]

Another vote for Russian Christmas Music. One of my all time favorites.

[Cameron Gates]

Cameron Gates wrote:
ZNC Dandy wrote:

Deathtree-Holsinger



Stop the tread. We have our winner.

That's one I have never heard of - what makes it so special?

I've heard The President's Own U.S. Marine Band play this a number of times, on Easter Sunday.

It is a musical depiction of the crucifixion that is a very powerfully done, emotionally intense piece. If you haven't heard it before, you should try to. Perhaps Cameron Gates could elaborate more, I'm sure he's played it a number of times.

When I started in the Marine Band in 1993 we had been playing this piece every Easter since the beginning of time (or at least since 0001 AD). Like Mojo said it is a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ. We have not played it in about 10 years . It is too bad it took such a sad event to write such a kick-butt piece.

I really can't describe the music other than to say it is the most dramatic and driving (and loud ) piece I have heard to date. It should also be noted that perhaps the reason not many people have heard it is due to the fact that it is hyper-difficult to perform. We have played it with a 65-piece group with success, HOWEVER when we would perform it with "monster band" (everybody in the organization on the stage blowing their brains out) it was out of this world.

The piece has a part for a baritone vocalist as well as a crying woman. What more needs to be said?

The tuba part is a blast and the euphonium part is over the top. If you have not heard it, move heaven and earth (no pun intended) to get a recording of this bad boy.

Maybe Mr. Holtz would like to chime in on this topic?

Cameron "still waiting for another crack at DT" Gates

[Chuck Jackson]

Invictus
Erb- The Purple Roofed Ethical Suicide Parlor
Piston- Tunbridge Fair
Berlioz- Funeral and Triumphal Symphony
Rocky Point Holiday
Stravinsky-Circus March
McBeth-Masques
Heed- In Storm and Sunshine

Just a few, but good memories, and music, all around.

Chuck

[Chadtuba]

Cameron Gates wrote:
ZNC Dandy wrote:

Deathtree-Holsinger



Stop the tread. We have our winner.

That's one I have never heard of - what makes it so special?

I've heard The President's Own U.S. Marine Band play this a number of times, on Easter Sunday.

It is a musical depiction of the crucifixion that is a very powerfully done, emotionally intense piece. If you haven't heard it before, you should try to. Perhaps Cameron Gates could elaborate more, I'm sure he's played it a number of times.

When I started in the Marine Band in 1993 we had been playing this piece every Easter since the beginning of time (or at least since 0001 AD). Like Mojo said it is a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ. We have not played it in about 10 years . It is too bad it took such a sad event to write such a kick-butt piece.

I really can't describe the music other than to say it is the most dramatic and driving (and loud ) piece I have heard to date. It should also be noted that perhaps the reason not many people have heard it is due to the fact that it is hyper-difficult to perform. We have played it with a 65-piece group with success, HOWEVER when we would perform it with "monster band" (everybody in the organization on the stage blowing their brains out) it was out of this world.

The piece has a part for a baritone vocalist as well as a crying woman. What more needs to be said?

The tuba part is a blast and the euphonium part is over the top. If you have not heard it, move heaven and earth (no pun intended) to get a recording of this bad boy.

Maybe Mr. Holtz would like to chime in on this topic?

Cameron "still waiting for another crack at DT" Gates

Where could one go about getting a recording of this, either MP3 or CD? Thanks!

[sloan]

This may have come arounda couple times, but I am curious to see what people say.

For me, I would have to say Alfred Reed's "Russian Christmas Music" is one of my recent favorites.

Oh dear...

Great music - terrible tuba part.

Tell me, do you prefer to LISTEN to those 40 measures of 6-beat played by the String Bass - or do you prefer to PLAY 40 measures of 6-beat with absolutely no place to breathe when the S.B. is absent?

And...would someone please tell the Russians that Christmas is a JOYOUS time?

An hour of listening to the woodwinds trying to play this makes one almost yearn for Sleighride.

[Jeffrey Hicks]

Epinicion by John Paulson
Of Sailors and Whales by Francis McBeth.
Any march by Sousa, Fillmore

[Chuck Jackson]

What is the difference between Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, ect ect.....

The degree,and the degree of the ego, of the Conductor...


Chuck"band is not a four letter word"Jackson

[JTJ]

I think some are being too hard on the wind ensemble. I play in one true wind ensemble, and one slightly bloated wind ensemble (occasionally more than 1-2 on a part).

If the ensemble has good players, there is a clarity and a power to the music produced which is wonderful, a far cry (if I may) from the muddy murk that the larger bands often wallow in.

John

[Chuck Jackson]

a far cry (if I may) from the muddy murk that the larger bands often wallow in.

I contend that it takes a far better musician in front of a large group than it doesin front of a small one. Their is nothing quite as fun to listen to a well disciplined BAND, disciplined in terms of balance, matched articulations, and the total gamut of dynamic contrast. And BAND music is much more "audience friendly". Not many people want to hear two hours of new music, people will listen to new music if it is surrounded by less aurally threatening music, which brings me to my biggest beef with "Wind Ensemble" concerts. There is just too much garbage being played that is hailed by "Wind Ensemble" conductors as the next best thing because A. They "discovered it, B. They commisioned it, or C. No one else has done it. I have sat through, in the past 6 months, 2 concerts of supposed "cutting-edge" new wind music that was laughably, and miserably,the worst stuff I have ever heard.

The big service bands have it right: Program to your audience and they will accept a piece for the musicians. Dont try to "educate", but do your best to "entertain", which is, when you boil it all down, the reason music exists. And please don't say it exists to elevate one's soul, that is a wagon load of malarkey, too.

Ever hear some of the band recordings out of Michigan or Illinois in their hey-day. Now that my friends, is entertainment.

In the military we had what we called a "Cut Down" or "Pouch" band that was comprised of 17 people. We played exclusively patriotic music and marches from our pouches for various functions in the area. NOW, that was a fun Wind Ensemble.

Chuck

[Jack Denniston]

Vittorio Giannini's Dedication Overture

[graybach]

A Feast Day in Seville-Albinez/Cailliet
Star Wars Trilogy- John Williams
Finale from Symphony 4 in f minor- Tchaikovsky/Safranek
Colonial Airs and Dances- Robert Jager
Galactic Empires- Gillingham
Symphonic Dance No. 2 "The Maskers"- Clifton Williams
Sevens- Samuel Hazo
Chicago Tribune- W. Paris Chambers
Easter Monday on the White House Lawn- Sousa
Galop- Shostakovich/Hunsberger
A Childhood Hymn- Schumann
Tam O'Shanter- Arnold/Paynter
Coronation Scene from Boris Goudnov- Mussorgsky
Polka and Fugue from Schwanda the Bagpiper- Weinberger/Bainum

[Steve Marcus]

Symphony No. 3 by James Barnes

Extremely moving piece, whether you know the background behind the composition of it or not.

Gorgeous unaccompanied tuba solo heads up the piece.

All 4 movements are very effective. The 4th movement is a magnificent, joyous celebration of life.

[THE TUBA]

Symphony No. 3 by James Barnes

Extremely moving piece, whether you know the background behind the composition of it or not.

Gorgeous unaccompanied tuba solo heads up the piece.

All 4 movements are very effective. The 4th movement is a magnificent, joyous celebration of life.

I second.

[Mojo workin']

AND what's more..... Which group teaches the concepts of being an ensemble player? Something to where you are the only person playing that part (very solostic), or a group where there are 4 other tubas and you have to work together for blend, pitch, interpretation, breathing.......

A wind ensemble does not teach these aforementioned concepts? How many wind ensembles have you played in? I remember unmistakedly in all of my schools' wind ensembles there was atleast as much effort made to blend, play in tune, have an interpretation, breathe together, etc. as there was with the younger players in the "Symphonic Band" or the "Concert Band" or whatever else it was called. There is less room to hide in a smaller ensemble, where your part is often times more exposed.


I contend neither to be the superior form/size of ensemble, personally. They are apples and oranges.

who also thinks it takes better quality musicians to make a large symphony band successful than a wind ensemble

Really? Why then do all of the music schools across the country who have a big enough program to have several bands almost without fail title their elite creme de la creme group "Wind Ensemble"?

Dont try to "educate", but do your best to "entertain", which is, when you boil it all down, the reason music exists.

Depends on your audience. General public, yes. University/conservatory crowd, no.

[JB]

…I LOATHE the wind ensemble. Two players on a part is NOT what many of these composers had in mind when they wrote these pieces.

Holst Suites - NOT for wind ensemble

…All of these works are for symphonic band, with multiple clarinets, flutes, saxophones (*including the illusive bass) and large tuba sections.

Holst Suites - NOT for wind ensemble

Although I do not have the resources at close at hand while on the road to provide more specific citations, I respectfully tell you that this is simply not accurate information. Quite the opposite in fact.

The Holst Suites were written for comparatively small forces, and as such would certainly fit what many consider a “wind ensemble.â€

[NDSPTuba]

Im probably going to be a complete idiot and ask a question....

What is the difference between Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, ect ect.....

Why would it be marked different on parts unless there was no difference

Since no one answered you in a direct manner, I'll chime in.

Wind Ensemble = one on a part

Symphonic Band = multiple on a part

I for one prefer the Wind Ensemble, nothing I hate more that playing the exact same part as someone else. Because usually they are mucking it up, out of tune, or playing too loud.

[Mojo workin']

Being one who (surprise, surprise!!) receives regular paychecks from a major university's music department, I guess I should go inform my colleagues, all of their students, and my chairman that we should all try to avoid performing music that entertains.

How's this, Bloke-

University/conservatory crowd, not necessarily.

And, oh...

Being one who (surprise, surprise!!) receives regular paychecks from a major university's music department

Congratulations.

[Chuck Jackson]

University/conservatory crowd, no.

Judging by the past few events I have been at these types of institutions would say you are right. Too bad it's wrong. Talk about giving a student a wholly unrealistic educational experience vis-a-vis what he will be up against in real life.

Chuck"who wonders why"Jackson