Symphonic Ouverture for Concert band, opus 81d (1977)
Beginning
of the Symphonic Ouverture 
Jugendblasorchester Werneck / Peter Blum
American first performance: November 22, 1987 in Seattle, Wash.
W.l.B.C. Directors‘ Band / Bertold Hummel
Instrumentation:
1 Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2
Oboes, 2
Bassoons, 1
E- Clarinet, 3
B- Clarinets, 1
B- Bass Ciarinet, 2
E- Alto Saxophones, 1
B- Tenor Saxophone, 1 E- Baritone Saxophone,
3 B- Trumpets
(Cornets), 4
Horns in F, 3
Trombones, 1
B- Baritone (Euphonium), 2
Basses, 1
String Bass,
Timpani, Vibraphone,
Xylophone,
Snare Drum,
Bongo Drums,
Bass Drum,
Wood Block,
Temple Block,
Ratchet,
Tambourine,
Triangle,
4 Suspended Cymbals,
Pair of Cymbals,
Gong,
Tam-tam, Bells
(optional)
Duration:
5 minutes
Publisher: Schott Music SHS 1001 / ISMN: 979-0-001-10066-3
Video: Works by Hummel on youtube
Press
Bayerische Blasmusik, December 1986
Here there was an impressive demonstration of what a varied treatment this instrument "Wind Orchestra" is capable, with which in future a broad spectrum of percussion instruments will be associated: the old combination wind / percussion presented in a completely new but very attractive way. Astonishing how the Werneck Youth Wind Orchestra under Peter Blum dealt with the high interpretational demands of this piece, which through its free use of intervals contrasting with traditional harmonic practice, its chamber music-like compositional development and its finesse in nuances of sound colour offers an entirely new terrain for the amateur musician, a new field in which the friend of wind music will find it worthwhile opening his mind and above all his ears.
Works for (amateur) wind orchestra
At the end of this look at Bertold Hummel's symphonic work, some remarks on his
writing for amateur musicians is necessary. In this field, he is very much in
the tradition of his teachers Genzmer and Hindemith, who similarly never lost
their rapport with the practices of the non-professional musician. A natural maxim
applies: the simpler the concept, the more diatonic and small-scale the building
blocks and sounds. The aspect of sound colour becomes less important and the compositional
characteristics are more strongly centred on draughtsman-like linear structures
with a significantly conventional effect.
Of the symphonic works, those for
wind orchestra are among the simpler ones. Specifically conceived for amateurs
were the "Sinfonietta", op. 39 (1970) and the "Musica Urbana",
op. 81c, composed in 1983 and baptised a year later in Hummel's birthplace, Hüfingen,
under his direction with local musicians. At a slightly more demanding level,
Hummel composed in 1977 the "Oregon Symphony", op. 67, performed for
the first time on the 7th April, 1978 in Ashland, Oregon (USA) in the presence
of the composer. Nine years later, during his second visit to the USA, Hummel
had the "Symphonic Overture", op. 81d (the extended "Oregon Symphony")
in his luggage and had this performed for the first time in Seattle on the 21st
November, 1987 by the W.I.B.C Directors' Band.
Claus Kühnl (in
"Die sinfonischen Werke Bertold Hummels", Tutzing, 1998)