From Harmonie to Wind Quintet

The Consort has presented several works composed for harmonie band since our debut last spring.  Harmoniemusik is typically composed for pairs of winds.  Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven all composed for harmonie band at some point in there careers.  These bands were the instrumentation of choice in much of Europe's royal courts during the latter part of the 18th Century.  If you were a composer looking for solid employment, harmonie was the way to go.

As the Classical era came to a close so did the old royal court harmonie bands.  During this time we see the development of a leaner, meaner, wind ensemble; the wind quintet.  Most often consisting of a flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn.  This group was a smart economical choice and for a short time in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries the quintet enjoyed some great success but it was short-lived.

As patronage made a shift from the courts to the growing outside European Aristocracy the older, and oftentimes cliché, harmonie genre was left behind for newer forms of chamber music.  It wasn't until the early 20th Century that we see a renewed interest in the wind quintet as a vehicle for serious art music.

This Monday's concert will feature a wide selection of 20th Century nationalistic approaches to music and the treatment of the wind quintet.  Tickets are still available but seating is limited.  Take a look at the program and our impressive roster of musicians.  If you appreciate the finer music in life, chamber music- of course, than get your ticket soon.  I look forward to having a glass of good wine with you after the show.

The Consort; Presenting Music in the Proper Glass... only at the Joslyn Castle!