William Boyce
Symphony I
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William Boyce
Symphony I
- Instrumentation Concert Band
- Composer William Boyce
-
Difficulty Level
- Edition Score and Parts
- Publisher Tierolff Musikverlag
- Order no. TRL100350HA
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Description:
William Boyce’s instrumental music constitutes only a relatively small part of his oeuvre, yet these works are performed far more frequently today than his choral or stage music, possibly due to the clarity of his composition style and the suitability of these pieces as educational material in music classes. Charles Burney, the great chronicler of 18th-century music, spoke effusively about Boyce’s music, writing that Boyce’s trio sonatas "were more widely purchased, performed, and admired than any other works of this kind in this kingdom, with the exception of those by Corelli. They were not only constantly used as chamber music in private concerts—for which they were originally intended—but also in our theaters as interludes and in public gardens as popular pieces for many years." All eight of Boyce’s symphonies were published in 1760 as a collection under the title Opus 2. Like other works from this transitional period between what is now known as the High Baroque and the emerging Classical period, these are three-movement works (fast–slow–fast) characterized by a generally simple style and texture.
Symphony No. 1 begins with an Allegro movement in modified sonata form (with a modulation to the dominant, but without a clearly defined second theme); after digressions into various keys, the movement ends in the tonic key of B-flat major. The second movement is a lyrical dance in G minor, which—as is customary—modulates to B-flat major for the cadence; passing through C minor and B-flat major, the movement ends in G minor. The final movement is a cheerful jig that follows the same pattern as the preceding movements.
Arrangement for Wind Orchestra
William Boyce’s Symphony No. 1 is presented here in a complete transcription for wind orchestra, which is in no way simplified or abridged. As is well documented for this era, changes in the sound structure are achieved through the use of different instrumental groups within the orchestra, which lightens the texture, while the full ensemble is brought in at the end of each movement. Every effort must be made to ensure that the performance does not seem ponderous—all Baroque music should be dance-like, and Boyce’s symphonies follow this principle.
Symphony No. 1 begins with an Allegro movement in modified sonata form (with a modulation to the dominant, but without a clearly defined second theme); after digressions into various keys, the movement ends in the tonic key of B-flat major. The second movement is a lyrical dance in G minor, which—as is customary—modulates to B-flat major for the cadence; passing through C minor and B-flat major, the movement ends in G minor. The final movement is a cheerful jig that follows the same pattern as the preceding movements.
Arrangement for Wind Orchestra
William Boyce’s Symphony No. 1 is presented here in a complete transcription for wind orchestra, which is in no way simplified or abridged. As is well documented for this era, changes in the sound structure are achieved through the use of different instrumental groups within the orchestra, which lightens the texture, while the full ensemble is brought in at the end of each movement. Every effort must be made to ensure that the performance does not seem ponderous—all Baroque music should be dance-like, and Boyce’s symphonies follow this principle.