Festival Overture was composed in 1988 for Francisco Carreño Garrido and the Banda de Benimaclet (Valencia). The Premiere performance was by maestro Carreño in Valencia in 1988. The piece begins in Allegro with three ideas presented simultaneously in what seems like different meters. The brass section presents the fanfare-like main theme in a syncopated 3/8 meter. The clarinets play a flowing obligato line in 5/4 meter. The activity slows down transitioning to the second section where the clarinets play a simple melody contrasting the opening section. The tempo builds uo to the return of the opening material as the ending section. Although the begging is rhythmically complex, this piece is fairly easy for junior bands and has been performed many times. Instrumentation is: Piccolo, 2 Flutes, Oboe (Optional), Bassoon (Optional), 3 Clarinets, Eb Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, 2 Alto Saxophones, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, 3 Trumpets, 4 Horns, 3 Trombones, Euphonium, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion (3 players – snare drum, bass drum, suspended cymbals)
Commissioned by
Francisco Carreño Garrido