Persichetti for band

Synopsis

One of the most hard-working and productive American composers of the 20th century was Vincent Persichetti, who was born in Philadelphia in 1915, and died in that city 72 years later. During a career that spanned half a century, Persichetti taught at and served as director of some of America’s finest music schools, wrote an influential book on modern compositional techniques, and composed an impressive body of original works, including 14 pieces for wind band.

From his Opus 1, entitled “Serenade for Ten Wind Instruments,” to his Opus 121, a “Parable for Band,” Persichetti provided both performers and audiences with wind band music of unparalleled excellence.

The New York Times, in its 1987 Persichetti obituary, wrote:

“Mr. Persichetti's works for band—an ensemble that many 20th-century composers have neglected—provided an engaging, sophisticated introduction to contemporary music for thousands of young musicians.”

One of Persichetti’s best-known works, his “Symphony for Band,” Op. 69, received its premiere performance by the Washington University Band of Saint Louis on today’s date in 1956. The band had commissioned a short, single-movement work, but while working on it, Persichetti realized the themes and ideas he came up with were pushing him towards a larger-scaled work. The end result was a 4-movement symphony, which soon became a classic in the repertory for symphonic wind ensemble.

Music Played in Today's Program

Vincent Persichetti (1915-1987) Symphony No. 6 (Symphony for Band) U.S. Marine Band;Lt. Col. Michael J. Colburn, cond. Naxos 8.570243

On This Day

Births

• 1893 - Spanish composer Federico Mompou, in Barcelona;

• 1924 - American composer Henry Mancini, in Cleveland;

Deaths

• 1846 - Italian composer and double-bass virtuoso Domenico Dragonetti, age 83, in London;

Premieres

• 1735 - Handel: opera "Alcina," in London at the Covent Garden Theatre; This was Handel's last operatic success in London (Gregorian date: April 27);

• 1791 - Mozart: Symphony No. 40 (re-scored to include a pair of clarinets) is performed in Vienna at concerts conducted by Antonio Salieri;

• 1849 - Meyerbeer: opera "Le prophète" (The Prophet), at the Paris Opéra;

• 1896 - Dvorák: String Quartet in Ab, Op. 105, at the Prague Conservatory, by four students (at the composer's special request, on the first anniversary of his returning home from America);

• 1909 - Arthur Foote: Suite for Strings in E, by the Boston Symphony with Max Fiedler conducting;

• 1942 - Barber: "Second Essay" for orchestra, in New York City;

• 1945 - Leo Sowerby: "Canticle of the Sun" for chorus and orchestra, in New York City;

• 1956 - Persichetti: Symphony No. 6 ("Symphony for Band"), in St. Louis, by the Washington University Chamber Band, Clark Mitze conducting;

• 1959 - Ned Rorem: Symphony No. 3, by the New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein conducting;

• 1967 - Ligeti: Cello Concerto, by the Berlin Radio Symphony conducted by Henryk Czyz, with Siegfried Palm the soloist;

• 1994 - David Ward-Steinman: "Cinnabar" Concerto for viola and chamber orchestra, at the University of San Diego, Calif., by the San Diego Contemporary Music Ensemble conducted by Lily Hood Gunn, with Karen Elaine as soloist;

Others

• 1888 - American premiere of Verdi's opera "Otello," at the Academy of Music in New York City;

• 1920 - American premiere of Debussy: "Fantasie," by Boston Symphony, Pierre Monteux conducting.