WIND QUINTET No.13 in Eb major Op.231 No.1 (score & parts)

This is the first of a trilogy of quintets featuring melodies (ricordi = memories) of three great Italian opera composers, here Verdi. The first movement looks to La Traviata; after an introduction using the opening of the Prelude, the Allegro vivace is based on my own jolly martial theme, the opening chorus and Germont père’s entreaty to Violetta to give up Alfredo whom she loves, for the sake of his family. The second movement turns to Il Trovatore; the famous Miserere chorus (the plaintive oboe tune which joins on the repeat is me not Verdi!), Count da Luna’s apostrophe to Leonora (Il balen) and Azucena’s vision of returning home (Ai nostri monti) follow as a selection. The third movement calls on Rigoletto; it features the Kidnap Chorus from Act 2 and the Duke’s boastful Questo o quella from Act 1 as scherzo and trio respectively. Aida inspires the finale; the Triumphal March and Celeste Aida provide material for the main movement and the Coda is an arrangement of the final scene with the flute as Aida, the oboe as Amneris and the clarinet as Radamés. IH