UMD Wind Orchestra: Czechs and Balances March 3, 2012

The music of Czech composers Bohuslav Martinu and Karel Husa meets that of Arnold Schoenberg and Sergei Prokofiev in a program of contrasts.

If music could be said to have a personality, Martinu's Nonet and Schoenberg's Chamber Symphony would be introverts, while Prokofiev's Ode to the End of the War and Husa's Divertimento would be extroverts, says UMWO director Michael Votta.

The Schoenberg is a brilliant and beautiful – albeit terse and condensed – style that Schoenberg tried out and finally realized he could not sustain. The Prokofiev, scored for a very large ensemble with ample brass and percussion, provides scope and scale along with plenty of muscle.

The Nonet and Divertimento, though both inspired by the two composers' Bohemian heritage, set very different tones.

But all four pieces have something in common: They are great works for winds that are not heard frequently enough.

http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2010/c/performances/performance?rowid=13727