Classical Music by Bruce Leon

Wind Ensemble Compositions

Grand Suite for Band
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Orchestration: fl 1&2, picc, ob 1&2, Eng hn, Eb clar, clar 1&2, bass clar, alto sax, ten sax, bari sax, bsn 1&2, 4 hn, trpt 1&2, trbn 1&2, bass trbn, bari hn, tuba, tymp, perc
Duration: 16 minutes
Movements:
1. Allegro con spirito...Play:
2. Andante...Play:
3. Allegro con moto..Play:
The Grand Suite is for a large symphonic band and is in three movements. The first begins with call-and-response fanfares between the brass and woodwinds and journeys through pastoral melodies, parades, and noble themes, ending with fanfares. The slow second movement is rich with lyrical melodies, with sporadic jazz riffs. The third movement consists of a theme and nine variations. After a short introduction, the theme is presented by the solo flute, and the variations that follow use a broad range of the band's sonic resources. The ending bars tie the entire movement together.
Woodcuts for Woodwind Trio
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Orchestration: oboe, clarinet, bassoon
Duration: 13 minutes
Movements:
1. Motet...Play:
2. Sinfonia...Play:
3. Pastorale...Play:
4. Minuet...Play:
5. Estampie...Play:
Named after the woodcut drawings of Albrecht Dürer, the 15th century German artist, this composition draws on the ancient forms and harmonies of the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The Motet (usually a sacred song, this one less sacred) features the Landini cadence from the 14th century. The Estampie starts with a call-and-response theme in unison, then continues with eight variations on that theme in various styles, ending with a fugue.
Woodwind Quintet
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Orchestration: flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon
Duration: 16 minutes
Movements:
1. Allegretto ...Play:
2. Vivace; Maestoso...Play:
3. Moderato...Play:
4. Rondo: Adagio; Allegro con brio...Play:
This light-hearted quintet begins with a deceptively simple melody which turns dramatic, then humorous, then dramatic again, and then simple again. The second movement is a fast-paced Scherzo, balanced by a noble middle section. The third movement features a lyrical horn solo of sincere amiability. All decorum is gone in the Rondo, with the humorous main melody interrupted in turns by a rude waltz (with a parody of Strauss' Die Fledermaus!), a slow, sad oboe solo mocking the main melody, and finally (after the oboe loses its place, then finds it again) a riotous polka.
Sonata for Oboe and Piano
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Orchestration: oboe, piano
Duration: 24 minutes
Movements:
1. Pastorale: Moderato...Play:
2. Rondo: Allegretto...Play:
3. Theme and Variations...Play:
The Sonata for Oboe and Piano, in the difficult but sonorous key of E Major, has three movements. The Pastorale is a rich evocation of mountain pastures with shepherds playing handmade reed instruments. The Rondo is quick and lively, with a stately middle section. The finale begins with a theme on the piano, then seven variations in various styles and tempi. The last variation is a 4-part fugue in which the piano plays the first three parts and the oboe the fourth.
Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano
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Orchestration: alto saxophone, piano
Duration: 24 minutes
Movements:
1. Pastorale: Moderato...Play:
2. Rondo: Allegretto...Play:
3. Theme and Variations...Play:
The Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano is a transcription of the Sonata for Oboe and Piano.
Serenade for Horns
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Orchestration: 4 horns
Duration: 6 minutes
In one movement
...Play:
The Serenade for four horns is all about harmonizing the wonderful horn sound. It begins with a fanfare, then gets increasingly lyrical. The middle section begins with a solo call, which is echoed a fifth lower. The final section begins with a contrapuntal interlude, then a return to the fanfare.
Clarinet Quartet
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Orchestration: 2 clarinets, alto clarinet, bass clarinet
Duration: 10 minutes
In one movement
...Play:
The Clarinet Quartet is an adaptation of the first movement (Allegro vivace) of the String Quartet No. 2 in A Major.
Fantasia for Recorders
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Orchestration: soprano, alto, tenor, bass, great bass recorders
Duration: 2 minutes
In one movement
...Play:
The Fantasia for recorder consort evokes both the Renaissance and the present day. Spanning over four octaves, the five recorders used here mimic singers accompanied by organ. The piece moves freely between duple and triple meter, and never loses its lightness.
Two Canzoni for Brass Quintet
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Orchestration: 2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba
Duration: 6 minutes
Canzoni:
Canzon 1...Play:
Canzon 2...Play:
These two Canzoni use a Renaissance musical form that is popular for brass ensembles. These pieces use polyphony, meter switching from duple to triple rhythm, and embellishments as in olden times.
Duo for Oboe and Violoncello (or Horn)
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Orchestration: oboe, violoncello (or horn)
Duration: 5 minutes
Versions:
Oboe and Violoncello...Play:
Oboe and Horn...Play:
The Duo for Oboe and Violoncello is loosely based on the opening theme of the last section of the Cantata "The Three Ages." There is also a version for Oboe and Horn; the horn part is slightly different than the Violoncello part.

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