Montage: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score & Parts

Montage demonstrates sophisticated musical architecture without sacrificing clarity in the ensemble writing. The two-part design (Introduction followed by Fugue) creates natural narrative momentum, and Johnston's orchestration sits well across the full instrumentation, giving every section meaningful material rather than padding or doubling.

The Introduction unfolds with purpose, establishing thematic ideas that take on new life and complexity when the Fugue section arrives. The two parts function almost like a statement and restatement, with the formal rigor of fugal writing transformed into something modern and direct rather than antiquarian.

Orchestras with mature players ready to tackle fugal writing and the coordination demands of a full Classical-sized ensemble. This work suits university orchestras, advanced high school programs, or regional orchestras looking to program a substantial 20th-century American piece that is both structurally ambitious and musically accessible.

• Balance the harp part carefully in the Introduction; it should anchor the harmonic foundation without overwhelming the strings, which carry the primary melodic voices.
• In the Fugue section, establish a clear tempo hierarchy before rehearsal begins so the fugal entries remain transparent. Mark conductor cues that help players track subject entrances across different instrumental choirs.
• Use the two percussion players strategically; coordinate their parts in early rehearsals to ensure both timpani and accessory percussion land together and support the structural points Johnston intends.
• Allow the full string section (9-8-7-6-5) time to lock into rhythmic unison during thematic passages, particularly where the violas and cellos anchor harmonic movement.

Program Montage as an anchor work in a concert exploring American symphonic traditions, or pair it with a contemporary piece and a Romantic-era standard to showcase the range of orchestral writing your ensemble can execute. Its modest length makes it ideal for a mixed program where you want structural weightiness without dominating the overall concert.

• Tracking fugal subject entries across instrument groups
• Balancing divided orchestral sections (strings, woodwinds, brass) while maintaining transparency
• Coordinating percussion with melodic material in a full orchestra setting
• Reading and executing thematic development through formal variation
• Maintaining ensemble precision in polyphonic passages across a large ensemble