Short Symphony for Band
November 22, 1999, William Drury, conducting The Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble
Short Symphony for Band was completed in the winter of 1999 and was written for William Drury and the Jordan Winds. The title is derived from two pieces that I have long admired: Short Symphony, by Aaron Copland and Symphony for Band by my teacher Vincent Persichetti.
As in my first two symphonies this work was developed from my own vocal music. ‘A Cry Against the Twilight’ eight madrigals (SSATB) written in 1996 furnishes the primary thematic material for this four-movement work.
The form of the ‘Short Symphony for Band’ resembles a classical symphony in its movement order: sonata, scherzo, slow movement, and rondo. In addition, the second theme group of the first movement foreshadows the third movement. The trio of the scherzo returns just before the climax of the finale.
The use of one player per part gives this symphony a sonority much like chamber music, a quality somewhat different from what one usually associates with music for band.
[recording] The Short Symphony for Band was written in 1999 for the Jordan Winds, who perform it here. They do a handsome job on a piece that deserves a wide audience. It is by turns dark and mysterious, then bright and lively. (Bell’s) music is tonal, tuneful, and enjoyable. The sound in all four works is very good, never distracting one from the music. The presentation is attractive, notes (by the conductor and his wife) are excellent.
-Thomas McClain-The American Record Guide
More Orchestra or Large Ensemble Works
The Bell, a cantata, Opus 182 1
Symphony no. 4 op. 170 based on texts from the Psalms (KJV), Opus 170 2
Harmony in Blue and Silver for Wind Orchestra, Opus 153 3
Song of the Open Road, Opus 134 4
Songs of Reconciliation, Opus 120 7
David and Old Ironsides, Opus 89 9
Holy Ghosts, No. 1 Chorale Prelude for Wind Ensemble, Opus 80 no. 1 10
Dark Orange Concerto; a concerto for viola and winds, Opus 77 11
The Triumph of Lightness, a concerto for cello and chamber orchestra, Opus 70 12
Songs of Innocence and Experience, Opus 55 15
The Sentimental Muse, a Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra, Opus 45 16
What Goes Around Comes Around, Opus 40A 18
Idumea Symphony (Symphony No. 2), Opus 40 19
The Idea of Order at Key West, Opus 13 22
Continuum for orchestra, Opus 3 23
Novelette Arranged for String Orchestra, Opus 1A (unperformed) 24