Listening To Woodwinds

For each section of the orchestra, I will listen to at least two movements of all three pieces of suggested listening. I will also endeavor to find videos of live performances of everything I listen to, so that I can put a 'face' to each sound that I am hearing.


Mozart - Serenade No 1- in B Flat K361 Gran Partita

For this seven movement piece I chose two contrasting movements:

3rd Movement - Adagio - Very moving and ethereal music, where the oboe features a pure cantabile sound. The clarinet also takes the stage several times.

7th Movement (Finale) - Molto Allegro - A really enjoyable upbeat movement that shows that the woodwind section can really carry itself, and showcases a range of dynamics.

This music introduced me to the basset horn, an instrument with which I was previously unfamiliar.


Reicha - Wind Quintet No.2 in E Flat Major Op.88

I listened to all three movements of this piece. I really enjoyed this piece, and would be interested in listening to some more of Reicha's wind quintets. Instruments that weren't as prominent in the Mozart piece came to the forefront here, such as the bassoon which has a very distinct "woody" sound. The french horn's muted sound is also featured strongly in parts.

There was a lot of imitation between the instruments, especially in the second movement. The clarinet played a big part throughout the work, and played a very impressive series of quick runs near the end of the fourth movement.


Poulenc - Sextet

I really enjoyed listening to all three movements of this work. It changes tact frequently, with much variation in dynamics and tempo. The piano and wind section compliment each other perfectly. There was a part 2-3 minutes into the first movement, where everyone is quiet save for a bassoon solo, this then leads into a piano solo, then an oboe solo, then flute then horn then clarinet. Everyone has the opportunity to be heard, and express their own instruments' qualities.

I found this a mesmerizing piece. It was described by someone on YouTube as a "fairy tale", and I'd be inclined to agree!