Holiday Overture
Encyclopedia
The Holiday Overture is a composition for orchestra by Elliott Carter
. Carter wrote the work during the summer of 1944, on commission from the Boston Symphony Orchestra
, to celebrate the liberation of Paris
during World War II
. In addition, Carter composed the overture for the Independent Concert Music Publisher's Contest 1945, and won this competition. The overture was to have been premiered in Boston. However, Carter made a copy of some parts of the work. Eventually, the work received its premiere in Frankfurt
in 1946, conducted by Hans Blümer. In 1961, Carter revised the overture.
, according to the composer himself, the work was also one of his first to use "different contrasting layers of musical activity at the same time". In addition, Carter has said of the work:
The music has a duration of about 10 minutes. The instrumentation is as follows:
Elliott Carter
Elliott Cook Carter, Jr. is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer born and living in New York City. He studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris in the 1930s, and then returned to the United States. After a neoclassical phase, he went on to write atonal, rhythmically complex music...
. Carter wrote the work during the summer of 1944, on commission from the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1881, the BSO plays most of its concerts at Boston's Symphony Hall and in the summer performs at the Tanglewood Music Center...
, to celebrate the liberation of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In addition, Carter composed the overture for the Independent Concert Music Publisher's Contest 1945, and won this competition. The overture was to have been premiered in Boston. However, Carter made a copy of some parts of the work. Eventually, the work received its premiere in Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
in 1946, conducted by Hans Blümer. In 1961, Carter revised the overture.
Background
The music is optimistic in spirit, reflecting Carter's own affection for his years in Paris and reaction to news of the Allied victory in France. Whilst reminiscent of the populist manner of Aaron CoplandAaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
, according to the composer himself, the work was also one of his first to use "different contrasting layers of musical activity at the same time". In addition, Carter has said of the work:
"...it was to be a demonstration of brilliant orchestration, and a lively, good-spirited sort of piece."
The music has a duration of about 10 minutes. The instrumentation is as follows:
Woodwind:
|
Brass:
|
Percussion:
|
Keyboard:
|
Strings:
|
Recordings
- CRI SD 475: American Composers OrchestraAmerican Composers OrchestraThe American Composers Orchestra is an American orchestra based in New York City. It is the only orchestra in the world dedicated solely to the creation, performance, preservation, and promulgation of music by American composers...
; Paul Lustig DunkelPaul Lustig DunkelPaul Lustig Dunkel is an American flutist and conductor. From 1983 to 2008, he served as music director of the Westchester Philharmonic.Dunkel was born and raised in New York City. His mother, Johanna Lustig, was a pianist from Vienna, Austria and his father Eugene Dunkel was a scenic designer...
, conductor - Naxos 8.559151: Nashville Symphony OrchestraNashville Symphony OrchestraThe Nashville Symphony is an American symphony orchestra, based in Nashville, Tennessee. The orchestra performs 140 concerts annually.-History:...
; Kenneth SchermerhornKenneth SchermerhornKenneth Dewitt Schermerhorn was an American composer and orchestra conductor, most notably for the Nashville Symphony.-Biography:Schermerhorn was born in Schenectady, New York, where he studied clarinet, violin, and trumpet in school. At age 14, he forged a baptismal certificate to appear older so...
, conductor (recorded 2002) - Bridge Records 9177: OdenseOdenseThe city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark.Odense City has a population of 167,615 and is the main city of the island of Funen...
Symphony Orchestra; Donald Palma, conductor