Mark Vigil
Woodwind Quintet #2
Duration: 13'
Instrumentation details:
flute
oboe
clarinet in Bb
bassoon
horn in F
Woodwind Quintet #2
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
The modern woodwind quintet is a standard chamber ensemble valued for its versatility its variety and its tone color. The wind quintet sprang from the octet ensemble favored in the court of Joseph II in late 18th century Vienna: two oboes, two clarinets, two natural horns, and two bassoons. The addition of the flute was to come later. The woodwind quintet is a favored chamber ensemble of the 19th, 20th and the 21st century.
This my first wind quintet was many years in the making. The first two movements were written while I was attending graduate music school in Eugene Oregon. The third movement was written some six years later. At this time I was very much interested in the exercise of dovetailing phrases like Debussy did. My composition instructor at this time, Tomas Svoboda, did not like this kind of business so I discontinued this practice. Still to this day this woodwind quintet #2 is my favorite quintet. The music itself sprang from an appreciation for all the joy that may exist in one’s life. Oftentimes I get to see for myself all the goodness that is present around me. And what fun it is to translate all this happiness into music.