Your events at Classical Events
Details
Online event
London
England
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata no.4 in E flat major, Op.7
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Symphony no.40 in G minor, K.550
Performers
Boxwood and Brass
Programme Note
New Sounds for Old Winds is a feast of music celebrating the creativity of wind players in 18th century Vienna. More interested in the spirit of the music than the letter of the score, they would change, adapt and arrange pieces to fit their needs. Inspired by their freedom, Boxwood & Brass will take you on a new journey through old music, including ‘disreputable’ original editions and new arrangements of Serenades, Sonatas and Symphonies by Mozart, Beethoven and their contemporaries – all dressed in the myriad colours of 18th century wind instruments.
Concert 2:Beethoven arr. Percival: Grande Sonata in E flat op. 7 and Mozart arr. Percival: Symphony no. 40 – new arrangements for historical winds by Robert Percival
Eighteenth and early nineteenth century Harmonien specialised in playing arrangements. Skilled arrangers reinvented everything from operas and symphonies to chamber music and piano sonatas, often to perform with their own ensembles of wind instruments. This wasn’t just about peddling popular tunes – arrangements allowed the hugely popular Harmonien and their exceptional musicians to present their own take on the latest and best music.
New Sounds for Old Winds #2 is a feast of Harmoniemusik kleptomania with two brand-new arrangements. Inspired the success of the anonymous 1810 arrangement of Beethoven’s Sonata Pathetique, featured on our recent CD Beethoven Transformed vol. 2, our bassoonist Robert Percival has created a version of Beethoven’s early piano sonata in E flat op. 7 for six-part Harmonie. Following the example of his early-19th century counterparts, Robert hasn’t simply transcribed the sonata, but re-thought its textures and figuration to create a true piece of wind music.
One of the problems of being a wind player in an orchestra is having to sit at the back, doing as you are told. The solution? Get rid of the rest of the orchestra, of course! Eighteenth century wind players weren’t shy about arranging symphonies by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and others for Harmonie. Following their example, Mozart’s ever popular G minor Symphony has been turned by Robert into a small-but-mighty wind sextet, allowing the wind players to 'take charge’ and give it the full Boxwood treatment!
The broadcast will begin on 26th Jun 2021 6:30pm (BST) with on-demand video available for 28 days after the show.
