Athens Concerto (1)_new

JOHN HENNECKEN
THE ATHENS CONCERTO
Concerto Grosso for Wind Ensemble

Instrumentation:
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Piccolo
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Bassoons
6 Clarinets in B-flat
Bass Clarinet in B-flat
2 Alto Saxophones in E-flat
Tenor Saxophone in B-flat
Baritone Saxophone in E-flat
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Solo Clarinet in B-flat
Solo Alto Saxophone in E-flat
Solo Trombone
Solo Percussion (with assistant): Timpani, Marimba, and Multi-percussion Setup
Solo Piano
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3 Trumpets in B-flat (straight mutes)
4 Horns in F (straight mutes)
2 Trombones (straight mutes)
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
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Timpani
Percussion 1: Marimba, Snare Drum, Crotales (share with perc. 2), Brake Drum (shared with perc. 2), Tam-tam
Percussion 2: Bass Drum, Suspended and Crash Cymbals, Brake Drum (shared with perc. 1), Crotales (share with perc. 1),
Triangle
Percussion 3: Vibraphone, 4 Tom-toms, Glockenspiel
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Contrabass (Optional)
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Score is Transposed
Duration: 16 minutes
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Commissioned by:
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The University of Georgia Wind Symphony, Jaclyn Hartenberger, Director
The MOD[ular] Ensemble: Timothy K. Adams, percussion, Josh Bynum, trombone,
Connie Frigo, saxophone, Heather Gozdan-Bynum, clarinet, and Greg Hankins, piano
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Consortium:
California State Polytechnic University Wind Ensemble, Rickey H. Badua, Director
Mercer University Wind Ensemble, Douglas Hill, Director
Truman State University Wind Ensemble, Curran Prendergast, Director
University of Illinois at Chicago Wind Ensemble, José Riojas, Director of Bands, Brenna Curtis, conductor
University of North Texas Wind Ensemble, Nicholas Enrico Williams, Director
University of West Georgia Wind Ensemble, Josh Byrd, Director
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Suggestion for Concerto Setup:
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Percussion Tpts T-bones Euph Tuba
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Timpani
Saxes Piano Horns
Clarinets
Oboes/Bassoons
Clarinets
Flutes, Picc.
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Perc. Assistant Alto Sax Clarinet Trombone Solo Perc.
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Conductor
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This arrangement was used at the Premiere by the UGA Wind Symphony, March 22, 2017. For an even
clearer picture, consult the video at johnhennecken.com
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Program Note:
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The Athens Concerto was written to feature the performers of the MOD[ular] Ensemble with the
University of Georgia Wind Symphony in a concerto grosso. The MOD[ular] ensemble has a unique
instrumentation, and I crafted each part with a distinct character. From the clarinet comes both a piercing
soprano voice and a warm lyricism, while the saxophone delivers an impassioned cantabile and sets the
ensemble ablaze with its virtuosic technique. The trombone often brings a powerful pesante and shatters
the tonality through its pitch-bending glissandi. I focused the percussion part on the timpani and
marimba, the latter of which provides both a mysterious sustained accompaniment and a scintillating solo
at break-neck speed. I showcase the piano through thunderous chords, continuous driving
accompanimental figures, and pensive adagio moments. The wind symphony is spotlighted through
sonorous ritornellos and also provides a resonant accompaniment for the soloists. There are two main
themes in this sonata-form work. The first is an angular and syncopated melody, which is, after the
overture, stated emphatically by the soloists in unison. The second theme is characterized by melodic lines
that descend further and further after returning to an initial high point, and is first heard in the solo
clarinet over rolling marimba harmony. The interplay and variation of these themes generates the form of
the piece.
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