Symphony in B minor - 1st movement

Description

Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Clarinet in Bb 3, Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone 1, Baritone Saxophone 2, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Contrabassoon — Borodin's Second Symphony was years in the making, work often interrupted by calls for new commissions and Borodin's other fascinations with the sciences. Ultimately, the Symphony in B Minor would be hailed as his finest work, and Liszt himself would urge Borodin to not change a single note, claiming that it was perfection as it was. Arranging this orchestral symphony for a large woodwind ensemble must have been a challenge for Melanie Thorne, but the result is a solid transcription ("with no strings attached"). College-level or better high school wind ensembles can build a program around this impressive entry.