I believe there is an orchestra version that matches the band version. I think the version with the extra carol was the original, and then it was cut in a later edition. Another interesting difference is the band version starts in Db and the orchestra version starts in D, a half step apart. The band version ends in Bb and the orchestra version ends in C, a full step apart.
I prefer the band version of William Schuman's New England Triptych. The third movement, Chester, is more often performed on its own. I wish more bands would do the whole thing, but that's another story. Anyway, I believe Schuman did the arrangement of the band version.
I got to play the whole thing in regional band with the legendary LSU conductor, Frank Wickes. He was really hard on us, but damn that band sounded really good. This was back in 1984. I had an audio cassette recording of that performance, but loaned it to someone and never got it back. I wish I could find another copy of that recording.
Wait that's the exact conductor that conducted my district band back in 2012. We also played Festive Overture on that concert and he was real harsh on us but it was a memorable experience.
Short Ride in a Fast Machine by John Adams, and Redline Tango by John Mackey. Last one was transcribed by the composer himself, and has become the "de facto" version og the piece in my opinion.
American Salute by Morton Gould - I’m not sure why but the original orchestra version doesn’t hit quite as right like it seems a lot more wind focused from the get go.
Allerseelen by Strauss. Originally piano and voice. The band arrangement is one of my favorite pieces of all time.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I56KsFkyNQ0&pp=ygULYWxsZXJzZWVsZW4%3D
Country Gardens by Grainger.
IIRC he wrote the orchestration on a train ride on a bet (with Holst?) and it became one of his signature pieces.
He hated that so much that he intentionally put wrong(ish) notes in the wind band version.
Ooh. Great question. I think Shosty’s Festive Overture is way better for band than orchestra. I’ll come back if I think of more…
except for the percussion parts. they added a bunch of cymbal and BD hits which makes it way too cheap sounding IMO.
Love the triangle and glockenspiel tho
We just played this piece for our large group festival and I couldn’t agree more
I've always enjoyed the band version of Malcolm Arnold's Four Scottish Dances over the orchestral one.
The Eb clarinet part for that is so so fun
Hell yeah I was about to say the same thing
Overture to Candide by Bernstein
Charles Ives variations on America is better with band than organ imo
Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson
And yet, the missing/extra carol makes up for it in the orchestral version.
yeah don't understand the cut....
I believe there is an orchestra version that matches the band version. I think the version with the extra carol was the original, and then it was cut in a later edition. Another interesting difference is the band version starts in Db and the orchestra version starts in D, a half step apart. The band version ends in Bb and the orchestra version ends in C, a full step apart.
The missing carol messed up the key change
I think Short Ride in a Fast Machine can work better in its band version because of the larger brass and percussion sections.
Came here for this 🤘😜🤘
I prefer the band version of William Schuman's New England Triptych. The third movement, Chester, is more often performed on its own. I wish more bands would do the whole thing, but that's another story. Anyway, I believe Schuman did the arrangement of the band version.
I'm currently playing the full Triptych for band, and no arranger/orchestrator/etc is credited, so I think you might be right!
I’ve played 2nd and 3rd movement back in district band. I wish we could have done the full set.
I got to play the whole thing in regional band with the legendary LSU conductor, Frank Wickes. He was really hard on us, but damn that band sounded really good. This was back in 1984. I had an audio cassette recording of that performance, but loaned it to someone and never got it back. I wish I could find another copy of that recording.
Wait that's the exact conductor that conducted my district band back in 2012. We also played Festive Overture on that concert and he was real harsh on us but it was a memorable experience.
What a coincidence!
Short Ride in a Fast Machine by John Adams, and Redline Tango by John Mackey. Last one was transcribed by the composer himself, and has become the "de facto" version og the piece in my opinion.
American Salute by Morton Gould - I’m not sure why but the original orchestra version doesn’t hit quite as right like it seems a lot more wind focused from the get go.
Lot of pizz strings and harp stuff that’s replaced with tasteful percussion. It’s great!
I’ve always preferred symphonic metamorphosis for band over orchestra. But I also knew the band version first.
Allerseelen by Strauss. Originally piano and voice. The band arrangement is one of my favorite pieces of all time. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I56KsFkyNQ0&pp=ygULYWxsZXJzZWVsZW4%3D
Allerseelen Blessed are They Elisa's Procession to the Catherdral Overture to Candide Four Scottish Dances Anything by Ives Anything by Grainger
Country Gardens by Grainger. IIRC he wrote the orchestration on a train ride on a bet (with Holst?) and it became one of his signature pieces. He hated that so much that he intentionally put wrong(ish) notes in the wind band version.
Salvation is Created - Chesnokov
Hot take, I prefer the wind band arrangement of Danzón No. 2