Divertimento for 11 Wind Instruments

This suite begins with a stately Intrada, written in a festive, march-like style. The cantilena is a lyrical work, tinged with a sense of melancholy. The Capriccio is light-hearted in nature and is played at a fast tempo throughout. Prelude & Tarantella begins with a plaintive chant-like melody, which transforms into a furious "dance of the spider." The Siciliano is in a flowing, lyrical style. The finale utilizes a five-part rondo form. It is virtuosic in nature and is brimming with high energy and good spirits.

Program Notes

The Harvard Dictionary of Music defines a divertimento as "an instrumental composition written primarily for entertainment, and hence in a rather light vein. These works are generally written for small ensembles, and consist of a number (three to ten) of relatively short movements.The Divertimento for Eleven Wind Instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba) consists of six movements in varying styles. The suite begins with a stately Intrada, written in a festive, march-like style. The cantilena is a lyrical work, tinged with a sense of melancholy. The Capriccio is light-hearted in nature and is played at a fast tempo throughout. Prelude & Tarantella begins with a plaintive chant-like melody, which transforms into a furious "dance of the spider." The Siciliano is in a flowing, lyrical style. The finale utilizes a five-part rondo form. It is virtuosic in nature and is brimming with high energy and good spirits.

Grade Level: 4
Copyright: 2004
Number of Players: 11
Duration: 19:30

Listen to Recordings

Instrumentation

Flute
Oboe
Clarinet in Bb
Alto Saxophone
Bassoon
Trumpet 1 in Bb
Trumpet 2 in Bb
Horn in F
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba