Wilten Festival Overture

This piece was composed for a rather remarkable occasion – a concert which took place on 6^th May 2000 to mark the 350^th anniversary of the Stadtmusikkapelle Wilten, Innsbruck. Founded in 1650, this stunning concert band must be unique in being able to celebrate such a long, continuous history.

The slow, extended opening begins with a bold fanfare, led by the horns. An expressive theme unfolds until a full-band climax is reached. Short solo statements for saxophone, horn and trumpet lead to a recapitulation of this theme, which melts into a vigorous and rhythmic Vivo.

A robust tune is presented by the clarinets and taken up by the whole band before a legato tune from the middle of the band leads to a change of key and a cantabile theme, again presented by the clarinets. The original Vivo tune reappears before the opening fanfare briefly interrupts the mood before a short Coda ends the work.