Vincent Persichetti: Works for Band

Illinois State University Wind Symphony, Stephen Steele (conductor)

Catalog #: TROY1253
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Format: Digital
Wind Ensemble

The fact that a composer of Persichetti's stature and prominence wrote so many works for wind band was not a result of a unique devotion, but simply because he was inherently attracted to the medium. The works on this recording, which constitute Persichetti's major works for wind ensemble, represent a wide variety of lengths, forms and difficulty levels and yet certain compositional consistencies can be found throughout. The differences are in technical demands and harmonic density rather than the basic musical language. The Illinois State University Wind Symphony and their conductor Stephen K. Steele offer exceptional performances of this music.

Stream/Buy

Choose your platform

Track Listing

Title Composer Performer
Divertimento for Band, Op. 42 Vincent Persichetti Illinois State University Wind Symphony, Stephen K. Steele, conductor
Masquerade for Band, Op. 102 Vincent Persichetti Illinois State University Wind Symphony, Stephen K. Steele, conductor
Pageant for Band, Op. 59 Vincent Persichetti Illinois State University Wind Symphony, Stephen K. Steele, conductor
Symphony for Band (Symphony No. 6), Op. 69 Vincent Persichetti Illinois State University Wind Symphony, Stephen K. Steele, conductor
Psalm for Band, Op. 53 Vincent Persichetti Illinois State University Wind Symphony, Stephen K. Steele, conductor
Parable IX, Op. 121 Vincent Persichetti Illinois State University Wind Symphony, Stephen K. Steele, conductor

Reviews

  • "My usual reaction when listening to a work orchestrated solely for wind instruments and percussion ensemble, is to find it lacking in color and warmth because stringed instruments are missing. But Vincent Persichetti balances the brass and woodwind instruments so well, and adds texture to the sound by integrating various percussion instruments into the fabric of the work, that you quickly get drawn into the music and don't realize that strings are missing. ...The Illinois State University Wind Symphony members, under the direction of Stephen K. Steele, deliver an incredible performance of all these works."

    – Classical Music Sentinel

  • "There has been no greater American composer of wind band music than Vincent Persichetti. ...His music is instantly recognizable and, for me at least, its sound is as quintessentially 'American' as anything by, say, Aaron Copland."

    – Scott Morrison

  • "Not only was Persichetti arguably the first composer to write for the medium in a way that acknowledges and capitalizes on its own particular qualities, but the pieces themselves display a virtually limitless range of moods and expressive attitudes..."

    – Fanfare

*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.