Wilson - Dithyramb

Richard Wilson

DITHYRAMB for Oboe and Bb Clarinet

peermusic C L A S S I C A L NEW YORK . HAMBURG

A dithyramb is a song m honor of the god of fertility, wine and drama-Dionysus. It dates back at least to the 7th century B.C. From the 5th century B.C., it was commonly accompanied by the most important of ancient Greek instruments, the autos. About the aulos we know that it had at least one reed and may have had two, and that it is nearly always pictured being played 1n pairs by one player. The ancient dithyramb was evidently not especially wild or frenzied, but rather hymnic and invocat1onal.

In my own contribution to this genre, I have written for a pair of reed instruments, one single and one double, which are played by two players instead of one-certain ancient secrets being lost forever. I would describe the piece as ceremonial, lyrical, and only mildly "Dionysian" at one point: a passage near the end in which the instruments alternate, in rapid succession, a grace-note figure.

The work was given its premiere m Carnegie Recital Hall on May 3, 1983 by Margaret Helfer, oboe, and Meyer Kupferman, clarinet.

RICHARD WILSON

RICHARD WILSON, born in Cleveland, Ohio. in 1941. was trained in composition at Harvard University, where he studied with Randall Thompson, G.W Woodworth, and Robert Moevs. Following his graduation in 1963. Mr. Wilson went to Europe for further study and for concert engagements as a pianist.

Upon his return to the United States. Mr. Wilson completed his master's degree at Rutgers University, and subsequently joined the faculty of Vassar College. where he is currently Professor of Music.

The catalogue of Mr. Wilson's compositions consists of some fifty works, ranging in medium from solo flute to full orchestra.

DITHYRAMB has been recorded on OPUS ONE No. 130 by Randall Wolfgang, oboe, and Larry Guy, clarinet.

DITHYRAMB for Oboe and Clarinet Richard Wilson

Oboe

B~

Clarinet

mosso c.1.,ss)

1414665

©Copyright 1986 by SOUTHERN MUSIC PUBLISHING CO., INC. International Copynght Secured.

Printed in U.S.A. All Rights Reserved Including the Right of Public Performance for Profit ''WARNING! Any person who copies or arranges all or part of the words or music of this musical composition shall be liable to an action for inJunct10n, damages and profits under the Uruted States Copyright Law."

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