Bertold Hummel

Oregon Symphony Op. 67

Best playability and musical spirit - this is what characterizes the music of Bertold Hummel who died in 2002, and why his music must be part of the repertoire of any amateur and semi-professional orchestra. The 'Oregon Symphony' occupies a special position in his oeuvre: it was written by Hummel for the typically American symphonic wind bands, requiring almost 100 musicians, including 15 clarinets in three groups of five alone, as well as four piccolos and six flutes, bass clarinet, bassoons, saxophones, trumpets, horns, tubas and the typically American sousaphone, and five percussionists. The work consists of four movements; in the rousing finale, Hummel mixes jazz motifs with popular themes and even weaves the anthem of the State of Oregon in the final music. For getting better acquainted with this music, the first movement is also separately available ('Symphonische Ouvertüre', SHS 1001).