Fête Galante

Inspired by the idealized pastoral landscapes of 18th century French artist Watteau, Horovitz wrote Fête Galante, a collection of 3 dances: Pavae, Menuet, and Bourrée des Masques.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 5 | Duration: 12:28

Instrumentation
Piccolo
1st Flute
2nd Flute
1st Oboe
2nd Oboe*
Eb Clarinet*
1st Bb Clarinet
2nd Bb Clarinet
3rd Bb Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet*
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon*
1st Eb Alto Saxophone
2nd Eb Alto Saxophone
Bb Tenor Saxophone*
Eb Baritone Saxophone*

1st Bb Trumpet
2nd Bb Trumpet
1st F Horn
2nd F Horn
3rd F Horn
4th F Horn
1st Trombone
2nd Trombone
Euphonium
(TC Baritone)
Tuba

String Bass*

Timpani
Percussion [3 players] (cymbals, glockenspiel, snare drum, triangle)

Parts marked with an asterisk (*) are NOT ESSENTIAL, although their presence will obviously enable a fuller realization of the composer's intentions to be achieved.

Program Notes
Fête Galante was the term used to describe the most popular paintings of Watteau, The French artist of the early eighteenth century.

In his idealised landscapes, figures in fancy dress embark on a voyage to an enchanted island; lovers pass each other in courtly dances and meet again in moonlit masquerades. It is a dream-world, but one suffused with true emotion, a romantic yearning for an unattainable Arcadia.

This pastoral fantasy inspired the composer to write a work in three movements based on dance forms. 'Pavane' has one main extended melody, which recurs several times with increasing elaboration. In contrast 'Menuet' is a very short linking section played by the principal soloists, resulting in a chamber music texture. The final 'Bourée des Masques' is a fast march-rondo featuring fanfare motifs, punctuated by syncopated percussion accents

Fête Galante was commissioned by the Royal Tournament and premiered at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles International Conference on 20 July 1991 at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, conducted by Frank Renton.