20th WASBE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS, GWANGJU – SOUTH KOREA
Performed by Adelaide Wind Orchestra
Conducted by Bryan Griffiths
[#273] October 14, 2024
WASBE2024 | 2023 | Wind Orchestra | Grade 5 | 30’- 35’ | Symphony
Symphony No. 1, by Australian composer Connor Fogarty is our Composition of the Week. We begin with this work a series of highlights from our 20th WASBE International Conference.
Symphony No. 1 was commissioned by the Adelaide Wind Orchestra with support from the Helpmann Academy Creative Investment Fellowship Grant and was premiered at Elder Hall on 25 November 2023.
“The Symphony for wind orchestra follows a traditional four-movement structure. Although it is not overtly programmatic, the musical narrative may be interpreted in many ways.
The first movement begins with an extended slow introduction featuring solos played by the alto flute and cor anglais. This is followed by a faster section with a recurring rhythmic motif that alternates between 6/8 and 5/8. After a return to the opening slow material, the movement reaches its climax on a violent 12-note chord. This chord then dissolves, and the movement ends with reflective solos played by the bassoon then horn. The second movement is a lively scherzo inspired by John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine. The third movement is slow and opens with a melancholy duet between two clarinets. This idea returns several times throughout the movement with an extra voice added to the texture each time. The movement also features a chorale and an extended cor anglais solo. The final movement begins with a waltz that slowly reintroduces material from the first movement. This material becomes gradually more chromatic and grotesque until rough brass chords interject, introducing a sardonic, Shostakovian fast section. This is followed by a heartfelt return of the waltz material. The work ends with a recapitulation of the slow theme from the first movement which eventually resolves to E-major, concluding the work with a feeling of hard-fought triumph.”
Program Notes by Connor Fogarty
This recording has been donated by Mark Custom. To purchase the entire performance visit http://www.markcustom.com/
Other works for winds include:
Landscapes for wind orchestra (2019)
Sweet Dreams: a lullaby for wind orchestra (2019)
Concerto for clarinet and wind orchestra (2020)
Concerto for oboe and wind orchestra (2022)
More on Connor Fogarty
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