Paul Taffanel, a French flautist and composer, is considered the founder of the French school of flute playing and also worked to rehabilitate Classical flute works in France.
Composition History
Carl Nielsen, a Danish composer, was inspired to write his Wind Quintet after hearing the Copenhagen Wind Quintet rehearse, appreciating how the instruments 'conversed'.
Composer Biography
Samuel Barber, an American composer, began composing at age seven and decided on his career two years later, being accepted into the Curtis Institute of Music at fourteen.
Historical Context
The modern woodwind quintet, consisting of flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon, emerged from a demand for 'sophisticated' wind chamber music alongside the string quartet.
Compositional Technique
In Carl Nielsen's Wind Quintet, the third movement begins with a serious chorale from his own Hymns and Sacred Songs, followed by eleven variations where each instrument showcases its expressive qualities.
Historical Context
Before the late 18th century, woodwind chamber music was mainly in the form of Harmoniemusik, often serenades for court entertainment.
Composition History
Samuel Barber's 'Summer Music' for wind quintet was commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Detroit in 1953, though they initially requested a septet for strings and winds.
