The woodwind section is one of the most sonically diverse sections of the orchestra. How do these instruments balance the dual role of soloist and ensemble player? How do they blend their sounds when they're so different? How has their use in classical music changed over the centuries? Find out all of their secrets in this film.

Discover the rest of our videos on the woodwind section in our playlist:    • Woodwind Instruments (Philharmonia Or...  

Chapters / Music:

00:00 – The woodwind section in the late Classical period
HAYDN
Symphony No. 104 (London) in D major
I. Adagio – Allegro

02:45 – The dual role of soloist and ensemble musician
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
I. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio

06:56 – The section grows
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
IV. Allegro – Presto

SAINTSAËNS
Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78
II. Allegro moderato – Presto – Maestoso – Allegro

10:04 – Blending the sound
RIMSKYKORSAKOV
Scheherazade, Op. 35
I. The Sea and Sinbad's Ship

14:36 – Breathing together
DEBUSSY
Nocturnes, L. 91
I. Nuages

16:48 – Harmonies
RAVEL
Ma mère l'Oye
V. Le jardin féerique

19:49 – Articulation
MENDELSSOHN
Symphony No. 4 (Italian) in A major, Op. 90
I. Allegro vivace

21:14 – Practice
DEBUSSY
Nocturnes, L. 91
II. Fêtes

24:05 – Variety of colours
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) in Eflat major, Op. 55
II. Marcia funebre: Adagio assai

26:01 – Balance
DVOŘÁK
Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) in E minor, Op. 95, B. 178
III. Scherzo: Molto vivace – Poco sostenuto

27:05 – Expressive intensity
DEBUSSY
Prélude à l'aprèsmidi d'un faune, L. 86

30:04 – Far more than the sum of their parts
MUSSORGSKY arr. RAVEL
Pictures at an Exhibition
10. The Great Gate of Kiev

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