—Joseph W. Jenkins (b. 1928)
This overture was written for the U.S. Army Field Band and dedicated to
its conductor at the time, Chester E. Whiting. The piece is written in
neo-modal style being strongly flavored with both Lydian and Mixolydian
modes. Its architecture is a free adaptation of sonata form. The music
material borders on the folk tune idiom, although there are no direct
quotes from any folk tunes (Source: Band Music Notes, Norman Smith
and Albert Stoutamire).
One of the most popular works of American
composer Jenkins, the Overture is known for the virtuoso playing required
of the French horn players. (Source: JRO)
