Neapolitan Ode: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Grade: 4
Item: 35-PK00434611
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Description
Written as a part of the Frank L. Battisti 85th Birthday Commission Project, "Neapolitan Ode" is a powerful and evocative addition to the repertoire. Utilizing a tone row suggested by "Mr. B." himself, Michael Weinstein incorporates a "Neapolitan" harmonic flavor and a wide range of textures and moods in creating this vehicle of praise (or "ode") for his former conductor/mentor. Recorded by the New England Conservatory Symphonic Winds - William Drury, conductor. Dur: ca. 5:00
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00434611
More about this title
About the Creator: Michael Weinstein
Michael Weinstein is a composer whose work bridges contemporary classical techniques with accessible concert band writing. His willingness to engage directly with commissioning composers, particularly in honoring Frank L. Battisti's legacy, reflects his commitment to the teaching and conducting tradition that shaped American wind ensemble music.
Why we love this
Weinstein's use of Battisti's own tone row creates an immediate personal connection to the work, making it feel like a genuine artistic dialogue rather than a generic homage. The Neapolitan harmonic language gives the piece a character that's distinctly European while remaining accessible to Grade 4 ensembles, and the recorded reference by William Drury and NEC Symphonic Winds provides a gold standard for interpretation.
What to expect
The piece unfolds with a sense of reverence and introspection, colored by harmonies that feel both modern and warmly nostalgic. Wide textural shifts keep the five-minute span engaging, moving between intimate moments and fuller ensemble statements that celebrate rather than overstate.
Who it's for
Directors seeking substantial Grade 4 repertoire that goes beyond typical concert band fare will find a piece with real compositional ambition and emotional depth. This works especially well for bands ready to engage with contemporary harmonic language while working through music that respects their developing technical abilities.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the tone row material across sections carefully; the serialist foundation needs clarity without sounding academic or rigid.
- Explore the dynamic range fully. The piece moves through multiple moods, and allowing genuine contrast between quiet passages and fuller textures will reveal its structural logic.
- Use the NEC recording as a reference for tempo relationships, particularly in how the five-minute arc builds momentum toward key moments.
- Attend to the harmonic flavor in the inner voices. The Neapolitan inflections matter most when brass and woodwinds blend intentionally.
How to use it
This sits naturally on a concert that pairs contemporary American works with standard repertoire, offering audiences a window into current composition while honoring a major figure in wind band history. Its moderate length and emotional weight make it an excellent anchor piece for a spring concert program.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and interpreting tone row-based harmonic language
- Balancing transparency in complex polyphonic textures
- Dynamic control and phrasing in contemporary idiom
- Blend and intonation across Neapolitan harmonic inflections