Looking Back

Program notes by Richard M. Kesner

CRWE Concert Program, October 25, 2026 – Looking Back

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958), one of Britain's foremost composers, wrote Toccata Marziale for the 1924 British Empire Exhibition. Its rhythmic vitality, brilliant scoring, and military-band sonorities have made it a cornerstone of wind-band literature.

American composer, teacher, and pianist Vincent Persichetti (1915–1987) wrote Symphony No. 6 for Band, Op. 69 for Clark Mitze and the Washington University Band in 1956. Its four movements combine traditional forms with Persichetti's distinctive harmonic language.

Alfred Reed (1921–2005) was an American composer, arranger, conductor, and educator who served in the 529th Army Air Force Band. The Hounds of Spring portrays young love through music of exuberant gaiety and tender lyricism.

Austrian-American composer Arnold Schoenberg (1874–1951) wrote Theme and Variations, Op. 43a in 1943. Though renowned for twelve-tone music, Schoenberg made this work distinctly tonal, using variation form to display his mastery of counterpoint.

Vittorio Giannini (1903–1966), an American composer trained in Milan and at Juilliard, blended late-Romantic expression with Italian lyricism. His Symphony No. 3 follows a four-movement Classical-Romantic design, culminating in an energetic Allegro con brio that provides a thrilling finale.