Conductor and educator Armand Hall talks about the journey of Florent Schmitt’s Dionysiaques (1913) to its pinnacle position in the concert band repertoire.

“In my estimation, Dionysiaques is the first truly artistic work created for large concert band … Regardless of how many times I listen to Dionysiaques, it always feels new and interesting.  It also suggests that Florent Schmitt considered the wind band ensemble to be ‘without limits’.”  — Dr. Armand Hall,  American conductor and educator Florent […]

Dionysiaques Around the World: Celebrating 100 Years of Florent Schmitt’s Masterpiece for Concert Band (1913-2013)

Dionysiaques, Op. 62 is unquestionably Florent Schmitt’s most famous work for wind ensemble.  It was composed exactly 100 years ago, but it would take decades for this 11-minute tour de force to become part of the core repertoire of concert bands. First in France … then in Europe and the United States and now in the […]