Overture for Woodwinds

Composer

Philip Sparke: www.philipsparke.com

General Information

Year: 1999

Duration: 6 minutes

Publisher: Anglo Music (distributed by De Haske)

Instrumentation

Piccolo (optional)

Flute I-III

Oboe I-II

Bb Clarinet I-IV

Bb Bass Clarinet

Bassoon I-II

Contrabassoon (optional)

Eb Alto Saxophone I-II

Bb Tenor Saxophone

Eb Baritone Saxophone

Programme notes

Overture for Woodwinds was commissioned by the Berkshire Young Musicians Trust (Berkshire, UK). They managed a strong wind programme, and it was a feature of their programme to teach wind and brass separately. So, in addition to running several brass bands, they organised a large woodwind ensemble for their student players. Overture for Woodwinds was premiered at the Bracknell Music Centre in 1999.

Opening with a strong unison passage, interrupted briefly by faster figures based on the interval of a fifth, Overture for Woodwinds develops with an often-passionate legato melody. Reaching a climax, this is then followed by the main vivo section of the work, whose main theme is based on the earlier ‘fifth’ figures. A bridge passage leads to a short chorale figure and a rhythmic climax which dissolves into a plaintive solo for oboe over staccato clarinets. This theme is taken up by the whole group and leads back to a recapitulation of the main theme and earlier material. The oboe tune returns triumphantly in the major key before the opening unison passage reappears to provide a stirring coda.

Performances

Bracknell Music Centre, 1999

Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble (Shea Lolin, conductor) at Christ Church, Highbury, London, UK on 8 April 2006

Recording for Twisted Skyscape album (see below) on 26 March 2014.

Discography

Recorded by The Johan Willem Friso Military Band conducted by Alex Schillings. Recorded on the Anglo Records label and available from Hal Leonard.

Recorded by the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Shea Lolin. Details at www.twistedskyscape.com