Purgatorio: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$87.00 USD

Purgatorio: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Purgatorio: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-BD9751
Price: 87.00 USD
Availability: InStock

From The Divine Comedy

By Robert W. Smith

Grade: 4 (Medium)

Item: 00-BD9751

$87.00

Shipped

One moment…

This appearance of Purgatorio marks the second movement of Robert W. Smith's first symphony for band, The Divine Comedy. Following the hugely successful introduction of the other three movements, Purgatorio leads us through a contemplation of Purgatory. Seldom has the launching of a work for concert band more quickly captured the attention of the band director community. Multiple all-state, honor band, conference and convention performances have already taken place and are firmly scheduled into the future. This is a truly monumental work that lifts the wind band genre to new levels. (7:10)

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Series: Belwin Classic Band

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 286

UPC: 029156658606

SKU: 00-BD9751

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert W. Smith

Robert W. Smith stands among America's most recorded composers for wind band and orchestra, with over 400 published works to his credit. He holds degrees from Troy State University and the University of Miami, and his original compositions have traveled globally across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. His symphonic works have become touchstones for the repertoire, performed at honor bands, all-state festivals, and conventions with remarkable frequency.

Beyond the concert hall, Smith's music has accompanied major cultural moments: presidential ceremonies in Japan, Olympic broadcasts, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and opening day at Dodger Stadium. His dual career as both composer and clinician has taken him across the United States and internationally to conduct, teach, and champion the wind band medium.

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Why we love this

The momentum behind this work speaks for itself. Within a remarkably short span, Purgatorio earned slots at all-state, honor band, conference, and convention schedules nationwide, signaling that directors recognize something genuinely significant here. Smith's structural approach to Dante's theology translates into music that feels both accessible at Grade 4 and substantive enough to demand serious ensemble commitment.

What to expect

Purgatorio invites reflection without sacrificing drama. Smith crafts passages of genuine beauty and contemplation, grounded in harmonic language that feels both modern and timeless. The movement carries weight; this is not decorative music, but rather a statement about what the concert band can express.

Who it's for

Band directors seeking repertoire with proven programming appeal and pedagogical substance will find Purgatorio an ideal choice. The Grade 4 designation places it within reach of strong high school and college ensembles, yet the work's musical ambition ensures it challenges serious musicians.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the sustained harmonic language with clear articulation from the ensemble. Without precision in the attacks, the contemplative sections lose their power.
The 7:10 duration requires careful pacing; resist the urge to rush dramatic moments. Let the architecture of Smith's movement breathe.
Invest rehearsal time in the interplay between melodic voices and harmonic support. This piece rewards sections that listen actively rather than simply play their parts.

How to use it

Consider programming Purgatorio as the centerpiece of a concert exploring large-scale symphonic works for band, allowing it to command the audience's full attention in a longer set. Alternatively, position it as a powerful closer to a program, where its 7:10 runtime and architectural sophistication leave a lasting impression.

Skills your students will build

Sustaining long lyrical phrases without sacrificing intonation or dynamic control
Balancing individual melodic lines within complex harmonic textures
Responding to large-scale structural architecture and dramatic pacing
Ensemble blend across multiple simultaneous voice-leading strands
Interpretive maturity in music of spiritual and philosophical depth