Felix
Mendelssohn (1809-1847) German Romantic Composer/Pianist/Conductor
 |
| Felix Mendelssohn |
-
Considered a versatile prodigy who stood at the forefront of German music.
-
His musical style drew upon a variety of influences Bach, Mozart, Beethoven,
and Weber.
-
Mendelssohn is known for being a bit conservative in comparison to some of his contemporaries.
-
His music reflects the tension between Classicism and Romanticism.
-
produced a great deal work in his short life, including symphonies, concerti,
oratorios, piano music, and chamber music.
Major
Work for Winds:
Notturno in C, Op. 24(1824) 10 min.
- Goes by a few titles
(all using Op. 24) including: Nocturno, Overture
for Harmoniemusik, and the arrangement
by John Boyd for modern wind band Overture for Band in C Major, Op. 24.
- claimed as one of the
early original works for wind band.
- At the age of 15,
Mendelssohn spent a vacation with his father in Bad Doberan,
a spa near Rostock, Germany. This is where he composed Nocturno.
-
The original instrumentation for Op. 24 was that of an expanded Harmoniemusik
ensemble. 1222/2100 +English bass horn.
- This original
composition for 11 was for the court ensemble of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, which happened
to be a small wind
band.
- the original music for
11 instrumentalists was lost before he could get it to his
publisher (Simrock), but he sent a version For 23 winds and perc in 1838
- The revised version
featured the “Turkish” percussion that was so popular. (see also discussions on janissary music)
- There is a suggestion
from musicologists that the 1838 edition might have been
Mendelssohn’s effort to imitate the orchestral color of Weber's Preciousa Overture (which features a
small wind band playing a gypsy theme)
- In relation to form: The
piece is reminiscent of a classical symphony’s first movement.
The overture features a slow introduction followed by a fast (Allegro Vivace)
sonata form.
- Mendelssohn rescored
the work for German and British band instrumentations to acquire more
performances.
Notes specific to the John Boyd
Arrangement:
- Instrumentation:
3292/4331 +Pic, Alto Clar, Bass Clar, Cbs Clar, C Bsn, 2 Alto sax, Ten Sax,
Bari Sax, Euph, sn drum, Triangle, Bass Drum, Crash Cym.
- Boyd’s use of the
rediscovered 1826 autograph makes his edition based on the
most authentic source known to date.
- The score is marked
with * to show what was given in the 1826 edition.
- This arrangement can
be performed by a large band, 23 and perc, or for the original
11.
- Leaving out the saxophones
will recreate the 1838 fairly accurately.
- If performing the
version for 11 omit m. 191-193 as they were added by Mendelssohn
in 1838.
Performance Practice Notes:
Tempo- Andante should be
like a human heartbeat(76-80) and Allegro should
be twice as fast.
- Dr. Boyd has also
given some extensive notes on specific measures in his score.
 |
| for the geography loving folks! |
I bet a lot of people don't know that Mendelssohn wrote a bit of "Band Music" and I'm really glad he did! Overture for Harmonie, Op. 24 is a
staple of the wind ensemble repertoire not only because it is one of the few
original works for winds written during the Romantic period, but also because
it allows winds to play a lively work by a composer who is respected by the
music community at large.
Posts
