Wheaton Municipal Band to perform classic 'War Horses' by great masters July 7

On Thursday, July 7, the Wheaton Municipal Band concert series continues with "War Horses" at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton.

The concert features music that has been performed often over the years, and yet the audience cannot seem to get enough of it.

These frequently requested compositions, both by the audience and the band members, tend to be orchestral transcriptions.

Transcriptions can be very challenging for the musicians. The fast tempos with hundreds of notes originally played on stringed instruments in the orchestra, are transferred to the upper woodwinds, flute, clarinet and oboe.

Sometimes the saxes join in and the flurry of sound excites everyone. The technical flourish shows off the talent of the Wheaton Municipal Band musicians, who only have one night to practice the challenging music.

For this exciting concert, Bruce Moss, celebrating his 43rd season as music director, programs a wide variety of classic "War Horses" by great masters.

Everyone recognizes Hector Berlioz's "March Hongroise" (Rakoczy March). This well-known work uses a mid-17th century song that was later used as the unofficial anthem of Hungary in the 1820s. In 1846, the French composer debuted the work and it was a rousing success. Back then, the audience stomped their feet and requested it be played again.

Franz Liszt later used the song in one of his "Hungarian Rhapsodies."

Also on the program is the frequently requested "Morning, Noon, and Night in Vienna" by 19th-century Austrian composer Franz von Suppé.

This rousing overture juxtaposes tranquil pianissimos with lavish fortes, slow and fast. The result stuns even the most reserved listener.

Georges Bizet and Jacques Offenbach round out the program, which is punctuated with a beloved Sousa March.

Clarinetist Joe Hands is the featured soloist for the evening, performing "Solo de Concours" by French composer Andre Messager.

Don't miss the "War Horses" concert on Thursday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave. in downtown Wheaton.

Bring a lawn chair and a picnic and enjoy the beautiful music in the idyllic setting of Memorial Park.

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/WheatonMunicipalBand/ or the band's website at www.wheatonmunicipalband.org.