Klarinet Archive - Posting 000324.txt from 1994/11

From: Michiya Nishino <mnishino@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: contemporary music
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 1994 17:10:30 -0500

Mr. Williams:

Having just graduated from high school last May, I agree with what you
said regarding contemporary wind ensemble literature. Our high school
orchestra was not well-developed--it was nonexistant at one point--,
wheras our symphonic bands are terrific. Looking at the programs that
some of the more competent high school orchestras in our state play, I
see that they are usually of the standard repertoire--any piece from
Corelli to Shostakovich. However, like you, I have noticed that there
are a LOT of contemporary pieces composed for wind bands.

In my junior year in high school, we played Joseph Schwanter's _and the
mountains rising nowhere_. Surely the most contemporary piece that I
had played up to that point in my life. Other pieces have included
Frank Ticheli's _Postcard_ and _Gaian Visions_ and Copland's _Emblems_.
Maybe the reason for this abundance of contemporary wind works is that
wind repertoire didn't begin to develop until this century. Pardon me if
I'm way off base, since this is only a speculation. While orchestras
have music written from the 18th century that they can incorporate into
their repertoire, the history of the wind ensemble doesn't reach as far
back.

Mr. Williams asked about some band pieces that have been transcribed for
orchestra. I believe that Schoenberg's _Theme and Variations_ Op. 43a
for band was arranged for a symphony orchestra as well (Op. 43b). Does
this count? Similarly, Karel Husa's _Music for Prague 1968_ was scored
for band and for orchestra afterwards (I think). I've also heard
orchestral versions of some Grainger pieces (as well as the piano
versions). Were these written for wind band first?

I realize that much of this doesn't pertain to the clarinet at all, and I
apologize. I just thought that I'd offer some perspectives on
contemporary compositions from the perspective of a wind ensemble member.

Michiya Nishino
Freshman, UT Austin