Notes

Aaron Copland An Outdoor Overture

Composing for young performers was always close to Copland’s heart, so he accepted the commission for a large orchestra piece from the High School of Music and Art in New York City. Copland wanted to play a role in introducing good contemporary American music to young players. In a review, Elliott Carter wrote: “Its opening is as lofty and beautiful as any passage that has been written by a contemporary composer. It is Copland in his prophetic vein... never before has he expressed it so simply and directly.”

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– Vivian Perlis

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Nicholas Maw American Games

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Commissioned by the BBC for the 1991 Proms, American Games is a vibrant and evocative work for symphonic wind ensemble. Composed during Maw’s time living in the United States, the piece reflects his impressions of American life – its youthful energy, small-town charm, and the expansive spirit of the landscape. While not overtly American in musical style, the work hints at familiar idioms: a “whiff of marching bands”, jazz-inspired harmonies, and a chorale reminiscent of a Baptist hymn.

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Structured as a continuous sequence of seven contrasting movements framed by an introduction and coda, American Games showcases the full colour and virtuosity of the wind ensemble. Maw described the composition process as unusually swift and enjoyable, and the result is a piece that delights both performers and audiences with its rhythmic vitality and technical brilliance.

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Samuel Barber Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (arr. Kenneth Singleton)

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Originally composed in 1947 for soprano and orchestra, Knoxville: Summer of 1915 is one of Samuel Barber’s most beloved works. Setting a poignant prose poem by James Agee, the piece evokes a child’s dreamy recollection of a summer evening in early 20th-century Tennessee. Barber’s music mirrors the text’s nostalgic tone, blending lyrical warmth with moments of emotional depth and introspection.

Kenneth Singleton’s sensitive arrangement for wind ensemble preserves the intimacy and expressive nuance of the original while offering a fresh sonic palette. The wind ensemble’s rich timbral variety enhances the work’s evocative imagery – from the gentle rocking of front porch chairs to the sudden, jarring passage of a streetcar. This version allows new audiences to experience Barber’s rhapsodic masterpiece in a vibrant and resonant setting.

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Leonard Bernstein Candide Overture (arr. Clare Grundman)

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Bursting with wit, energy, and theatrical flair, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture is a dazzling curtain-raiser to his operetta Candide, inspired by Voltaire’s satirical novella. The overture captures the essence of the story’s whirlwind journey through optimism, chaos, and eventual clarity, all wrapped in Bernstein’s signature blend of classical sophistication and Broadway sparkle.

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Clare Grundman’s masterful arrangement for wind orchestra preserves the brilliance of the original while exploiting the vibrant colours and dynamic range of the concert band. With its rapid-fire fanfares, lyrical interludes, and rhythmic vitality, this version offers wind ensembles a thrilling showcase of ensemble precision and expressive character. It remains a favourite in the wind repertoire, delighting audiences with its exuberance and charm.​​​

Guildhall Symphonic Wind Orchestra