Franco Cesarini

Harlequin

The overture Harlequin was composed in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Swiss Federation of Wind Band conductors. The striking ascending and descending melodic lines, heard throughout the composition, together with the intricate rhythm, form an entertaining whole. The work begins with a sparkling opening in which the strong rhythmic brass passages are surrounded by virtuoso woodwind embellishments. The theme of the energetic opening later returns in the Andante Rubato, but in a very different form. The middle movement develops towards a partial repeat of the opening section which leads quickly into a thundering Presto finale.