A Fugal Concerto
Flute & Oboe Feature
by Gustav Holst
Concert Band - Sheet Music

Soloist(s) with Concert Band (Solo Flute, Solo Oboe, 1st Flute, 2nd Flute, 1st Oboe, 2nd Oboe, 1st Bb Clarinet, 2nd Bb Clarinet, 3rd Bb Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet, 1st Bassoon, 2nd Bassoon, 1st Eb Alto Saxophone, 2nd Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Tenor Saxophone, 1st Bb trumpet, 2nd Bb Trumpe) - grade 5

SKU: CN.R10156

Flute & Oboe Feature. Composed by Gustav Holst. Arranged by Geoffrey Brand. Band Music. Score and parts. Duration 8:05. Published by G & M Brand Music Publishers (CN.R10156).

In so far as the work is fugal, the adjective applies more to the texture than the form, although the second movement is canonic. The contrapuntal texture is not straightforward as phrases are displaced across barlines and cross rhythms are a feature. Nothing is allowed to settle until the folk tune is introduced toward the end. Yet, within this musical web, fascinating patterns and cross references reveal themselves.

This work was originally written for flute, oboe (or two violins) and String Orchestra in 1923. This arrangement was premiered by the Stockholm Symphonic Winds in September 1993, conducted by the arranger. The style of A Fugal Concerto is very much neo-classical - all the rage at the time, although whether Holst had heard Stravinsky's examples is not known. In so far as the work is fugal, the adjective applies more to the texture than the form, although the second movement is canonic. The contrapuntal texture is not straightforward as phrases are displaced across barlines and cross rhythms are a feature. Nothing is allowed to settle until the folk tune is introduced toward the end. Yet, within this musical web, fascinating patterns and cross references reveal themselves.