CONCERTO GROSSO - Parts & Score, TEST PIECES (Major Works)
Availability Available Published 2nd January 2007
Cat No.JM45613 Price
£60.00 Composer: Philip Sparke Category: TEST PIECES (Major Works)
Click on "MORE DETAILS" to listen to the three audio extracts provided.
Written in 1988 and commissioned by Howard Snell and the CWS (Glasgow) Band. This work takes the form of a Baroque Concerto Grosso , with a small group of soloists ( 2 cornets, horn & euphonium - the "Concertanti" group) and the larger ensemble or in this case full band ( the "Ripieno" group ). It is written in three continuous movements.
1. mp3 example 1 - Opens with a lively Vivo in which the quartet and band share the musical ideas between them. A key change heralds a central section in which members of the quartet play in turn solo and duet passages until the opening material returns.
2. mp3 example 2 - A Lento follows where, after a short introduction, the quartet plays a slow chorale alone. cadenzas from each of the soloists lead to a climax after which the chorale returns more full scored with band.
3. mp3 example 3 - The third and final section is a sprightly gallop, and once again the themes are thrown back and forth between quartet (the Concertanti group) and band ( the Ripieno group). A more lyrical interlude highlights each soloist in turn before the opening material returns and the piece chases towards a breathless conclusion.
