Standel Concert Overture No 6 Op 74 1200p

Standel Concert Overture No. 6, Op. 74 is a one movement piece scored for symphony orchestra (Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion and Strings), having a performance duration of about 7 minutes. The overture is composed for use as a concert opening, “curtain riser,” intended to capture attention with full orchestra clamor, excitement and noise.
The developmental material for the overture is contained in the first eight measures. The piece is a series of development-like episodes utilizing the melodic and harmonic material of the opening eight measures. The episodes alternate between fast, agitated sections with shorter, cantabile sections, with a big brassy ending.
The piece is subtitled “Do, Re, Mi” since the principal melodies often contain the first three notes of the major scale. The piece is what I would characterize as 20th or 21st century tonal, with moments of mild dissonance and mostly circles around the keys of G- and C-major. The piece includes several shirt sections that employ rapid, diminished scales, which occur in the woodwinds and strings, a ‘feature’ also anticipated in the first eight measures.