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: Florent Schmitt’s Incredible Composition for Concert Band (1913-14)

“Those of us in media production always do our work with the ‘talent’ in mind: ‘Who’s going to be doing the voiceover? How do I write to his or her strengths? If it’s a video storyboard, what collateral do I have to work with?’ Florent Schmitt didn’t seem to compose with the players in mind. […]