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California Wind Symphony

Philip Westin, Music Director and Conductor

            The California Wind Symphony was founded by Philip Westin to provide a professional wind ensemble specializing in playing American music written specifically for symphonic band. After the group was formed, the Wind Symphony recorded four pieces as a demonstration: Aaron Copland's Emblems, William Schuman's Chester, Vincent Persichetti's Symphony No. 6, 2nd movement, and Westin's In Memoriam Ingolf Dahl. Westin then visited the homes of many of the preeminent composers of the day and played the recordings. These visits resulted in the forming of a distinguished Board of Advisors for the CWS. Members of the Board included Aaron Copland, Elmer Bernstein, Norman Dello Joio, John Green, Karl Husa, Bronislaw Kaper, Howard Hanson, Roy Harris, Henry Mancini, Ron Nelson, Vincent Persichetti, Walter Piston, Lalo Schifrin, William Schuman, Roger Sessions, Virgil Thomson, and John Williams (partial listing). As a direct result of the influence of the Board of Advisors, the Wind Symphony became the recipient of a major grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, and continued to flourish for several years performing concerts in the greater Los Angeles area, including a performance at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Los Angelels Music Center.

IN MEMORIAM

INGOLF DAHL

by

PHILIP WESTIN

            Commissioned by the California Wind Symphony, In Memoriam Ingolf Dahl was completed in 1972 and premiered by that organization at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Los Angeles Music Center with Philip Westin conducting. Scored for large symphonic wind ensemble, the 12-minute piece is an ode for Westin's friend and mentor, Ingolf Dahl.

EMBLEMS

by

AARON COPLAND

            Aaron Copland opland wrote Emblems for band in 1964, in response to a commission by Keith Wilson, president of the College Band Directors National Association. Initially, the work received only lukewarm reception. Many have suggested that this was due, at least in part, to the work's technical challenges; however, as Copland's only piece written specifically for band, the work has since won a secure place in the repertoire. That concert saw the premiere of William Schuman's Credendum, orchestrated by Westin for the Wind Symphony at Schuman's request. Schuman and his wife were present for the performance.

CHESTER

by

WILLIAM SCHUMAN

            Chester is from the third movement of William Schuman's New England Triptych, considered to be his most famous work. The piece makes use of one of the most patriotic melodies sung during the American Revolutionary War, William Billings' Chester. Its words express the burning desire for freedom which sustained the colonists through the difficult years of the Revolution.

SYMPHONY No. 6

2ND MOVEMENT

by

VINCENT PERSICHETTI

            Vincent Persichetti wrote six symphonies. Of these, number 6 is for symphonic band. This recording is of the 2nd movement of that piece.