PROGRAM NOTE
Festival in Russia is a transcription for concert band of Anatoli Liadov's
dazzling orchestral work, Polonaise (Op. 49). Written at the turn
of the century, its energetic dance rhythms and melodic expressiveness
will bring a delightful Old World charm to today's audiences.
Liadov (1855-1914) was a student of Rimsky-Korsakov at the St. Petersburg
Conservatory, and succeeded him as the composition teacher. (One of Liadov's
most notable students at the Conservatory was Sergei Prokofiev.) At the
time the Polonaise was written (1899), Liadov was at the height
of his profession and one of his era's most respected and widely-known
composers.
The first performance of this transcription for concert band was given
by the West Virginia University Wind Symphony at the Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 1988, Don Wilcox conducting.
PERFORMANCE SUGGESTIONS
The tempo of the work is set by the melodic material of the opening
section -- the extended lines of dotted sixteenth, thirty-second rhythms
can move with grace and clarity only within a narrow range of tempo. While
the interpretation needs to be bright and vivacious, if it becomes frantic
or unclear, you need to slow down. A tempo in the range of quarter equals
88-104 should work well in most situations.
The meno mosso at measure 41 is not in the original score; its
presence is suggested by the music's stylistic change and is characteristic
of the performance practice of the period. This section of the work is
best approached molto espressivo. The rubato (measure 60)
is also the transcriber's suggestion.
As a basic guideline -- if your interpretation fits the expressive,
romantic character of the period, you are probably "on the right track."
Don Wilcox
-
- Instrumentation
-
- 1 Full Score
- 1 Piccolo
- 4 Flute I
- 4 Flute II
- 1 Oboe I
- 1 Oboe II
- 1 English Horn
- 1 Bassoon I
- 1 Bassoon II
- 1 Eb Clarinet
- 4 Bb Clarinet I
- 4 Bb Clarinet II
- 4 Bb Clarinet III
- 1 Eb Alto Clarinet
- 1 Eb ContrabassClarinet
- 3 Bb Bass Clarinet & Bb Contrabass Clarinet
- 3 Eb Alto Saxophone I
- 3 Eb Alto Saxophone II
- 2 Bb Tenor Saxophone
- 2 Eb Baritone Saxophone
- 3 Bb Cornet I
- 3 Bb Cornet II
- 3 Bb Cornet III
- 2 Bb Trumpet I
- 2 Bb Trumpet II
- 2 F Horn I & III
- 2 F Horn II & IV
- 2 Trombone I
- 2 Trombone II
- 2 Bass Trombone
- 3 Euphonium
- 2 Euphonium T.C.
- 4 Tuba
- 2 Timpani
- 2 Bells & Vibraphone
- 3 Chimes, Triangle & Cymbals
- 2 Xylophone & Marimba
- 2 Snare Drum & Bass Drum
Copyright © 1999 Manhattan Beach Music. All Rights Reserved.
Performance by the West Virginia University Concert Band, Don Wilcox,
conductor.
