Coriolan Overture arranged for Woodwind Quintet

Beethoven Coriolan Overture arranged for Woodwind Quintet (Score & Parts)
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet (in B-flat), Horn, Bassoon

Ludwig van Beethoven composed his "Coriolan Overture" in 1807 after a tragedy of that title by Josef Heinrich von Collin.  The Roman general Coriolanus feels humiliated by his native city.  Deeply damaged in his self-esteem, he takes up sides with the Volsci, who are threatening Rome.  His mother and his former teachers try to win him back to their side.  In Collin’s play, the resultant struggle between patriotism and pride lasts for five acts until Coriolanus is finally allowed to fall on his sword.  Beethoven distils these five acts into some ten minutes of music, depicting the hero’s mental disintegration with great sympathy.

Thanks to their many shades, hues, instrumental combinations and wide dynamic range, the five instruments of the woodwind quintet lend perfect expression to this idea within the confines of a small ensemble.

- Addition to the woodwind quintet repertoire

- Faithful arrangement from the orchestral original