Wind music has a long-standing tradition. In our country, we are well acquainted with it through military bands and the philharmonic bands that emerged from the associative movements of the 19th century. But its scope is much broader and dates back to earlier centuries. Initially, it featured in festive or ceremonial contexts. Later, at the end of the Classical period, it met the “new taste” of the noble households that revolved around the Habsburg court in Vienna.
These ensembles, known as Harmonie, played transcriptions of opera excerpts and orchestral works at informal gatherings. Renowned composers such as Haydn also took advantage of these sonorities. This programme opens precisely with one of his Divertimenti, written for pairs of oboes, bassoons, and horns, accompanied by a double bass.
More than 200 years later, in 1982, Jean Françaix added a trumpet to that ensemble to evoke Haydn himself in eleven variations on the theme from the Surprise Symphony. In contrast, in 1906, George Enescu opted to include two flutes instead, allowing the influence of Johann Sebastian Bach to shine through.
Programme
J. Haydn – Divertimento a 6, Hob. II:3
J. Françaix – Eleven Variations on a Theme by Haydn
G. Enescu – Wind Decet
Bassoon and Musical Direction: Lurdes Carneiro
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