YOUNG BAND REPERTOIRE PROJECT

Literature Analyses

SYMPHONIC OVERTURE

Charles Carter


Publisher: Carl Fischer
Year Published: 1963
Difficulty Level: Publisher rating = 2

1995-98 Texas PML rating = Grade 2

 

Reviewed by: Daniel Lugo - Spring 1999
Style/Form: Allegro (quarter= 152) - Meno mosso (quarter= 104) - Lento (quarter= 88) - Moderato (quarter= 120) - Maestoso (quarter= 96) - Vivace (quarter= 160)

ABA 
Key Signatures:

(concert pitch)

 No key changes:

two flats (m.1 - end)
Time Signatures: 2/4 (m.1 - m.83); 4/4 (m.84 - m.98); 3/4 (m.99); 2/4 (m.100); 4/4 (m.101 - m.112); 2/4 (m.113); 4/4 (m.114 - m.117);  2/4 (m.118 - end)
Ranges: Woodwinds:

    Flute to b flat2; Clarinet 1 to e2; Bassoon to c

Brass:

    Cornet 1 to a1; Cornet 2 & 3 to f1; Trombone 1 to e flat; Trombone 2 to c
Rhythms: Winds:

    Level 3

Percussion:

    Level 3
Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, E flat Clarinet, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Clarinet 3, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Alto Sax 1, Alto Sax 2, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Cornet 1, Cornet 2, Cornet 3, Horn in F 1 & 2, Horn in F 3 & 4,  Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Baritone TC, Baritone BC, Tuba, String Bass, Snare/Bass Drum, Cymbals, Timpani
Percussion: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Timpani (3 drums)
Conductor Score: Full Score; 25 lines; Flute, Oboe, Alto Sax, Horn, and Trombone 1 & 2 are doubled on the score.
Length/Timing: 4 minutes, 20 seconds (190 measures)
Comments:
  • Many time changes that occur during the Lento section of the piece.
  • Proper articulation is a must to ensure the musicality within the overture.
  • Composer calls for 3 f's (fff) at measure 114.
  • Snare Drum has a solo at measure 118.
  • Cornets will require a straight mute.
  • Timpani player will come across numerous pitch changes.
  • Use of rit., cres., broadly, accidentals, accents, staccato, a2, dim.e.rit., sost., rit. poco a poco, fp, fermata.
  • Snare has various double and triple flam strokes.
  • Measures on the score are not numbered.

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