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 Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie
Author: BlockEyeDan 
Date:   2004-11-04 14:32

I attended a concert by the Rhode Island Philharmonic this past Saturday, where the conductor announced that due to circumstances beyond their control (I really wonder what), the performance of Darius Milhaud's "Creation of the World" was postponed. [right] (The rest of the program was Canteloube's "Songs of the Auvergne" and Beethoven's Eighth.) He then introduced nine of the orchestra's wind players, and they then proceeded to perform Gounod's "Petite Symphonie." I was blown away by the beauty and mood of this piece. There were some fantastic clarinet passages, as well as an impressive performance by the flautist, Sue Thomas.

Has anyone here ever performed this piece? I considered myself extremely lucky to have heard what is essentially a large chamber piece within a concert hall setting (Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, Providence). From what I understand, this is a piece that is rarely performed live. Any feedback?

Thanks,
Dan



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 Re: Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie
Author: Tom J. 
Date:   2004-11-04 16:33

'La Creation Du Monde' is the only work mentioned with a prominent saxophone part. It also has a groovy clarinet solo.

Perhaps the saxes got a better paying gig ??

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 Re: Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie
Author: RAMman 
Date:   2004-11-04 16:43

I played it at school...it seems I was lucky to have a teacher with an eye for finding gems for wind ensemble.

The Dvorak Czech Suite, Arrieu Dixtuor and a commisioned work by Martin Ellerby...all marvellous and easy to get hold of.



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 Re: Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2004-11-04 17:19

Dan -

The Gounod is a great piece. The first time you hear it, you wonder "where has this been all my life." As you say, it's seldom done. If you do it at an orchestra concert, you have to rearrange the stage, and the rest of the orchestra has nothing to do. Also, it's not quite long enough to be half a concert, so you have to rearrange the stage again, with the audience sitting there waiting.

Outside of an orchestra concert, it's difficult to get that large a group together, except perhaps as part of a wind ensemble concert. The individual parts call for a fair amount of virtuosity, but nothing impossible. However, with that big a group, it's difficult to play as chamber music -- to find the right balance between lightness of touch and power.

On recordings, it's usually paired with the Dvorak Serenade for Winds, Op. 44, which has nearly the same instrumentation and is also an unknown masterpiece.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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 Re: Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie
Author: larryb 
Date:   2004-11-04 18:40

Gounod "petite" and Dvorak Serenade are "unknown?" Gee, I thought they were both quite standard (more so the Dvorak).

Tells you something about the bubble I must live in.

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 Re: Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie
Author: marcia 
Date:   2004-11-05 05:58

I have read through the entire Gounod and performed two movements at music camp a couple of years ago. We did not perform the movement with my favourite clarinet part. Hopefully one of these years! Have also done Dvorak Serenade and the Strauss Serenade. In fact I heard the Strauss on CBC just yesterday. He was only 17 when he wrote it!!

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 Re: Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie
Author: Darek 
Date:   2004-11-05 16:53

This year I`ve performed Petite Symphonie twice, in March and October with Gdansk Wind Ensemble at Baltic State Opera (Gdansk, Poland). It was marvellous experience for me. My favourite clarinet solo is in third part - Scherzo. In July we have also registered it on CD. Has anybody some experiences with playing Harmonie?

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 Re: Charles Gounod's Petite Symphonie
Author: D Dow 
Date:   2004-11-06 22:32

I played this a few years back with our orchestra...

Also there is a great record..lp with the Paris Conservatoire woodwinds without conductor. Alas its nla....but you may find it in a library at a University....its very nice...

David Dow

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