Harmoniemusik

Harmoniemusik (German: literally, "harmony-music") is a musical term denoting a form of 18th Century chamber music similar to Tafelmusik, but almost exclusively for wind instruments. From 1780 until 1840 harmoniemusik flourished in the courts of Europe. Harmoniemusik is not a single form of wind ensemble and would later evolve into the military band and our modern concert band or symphonic wind band.

History

In 1782 Emperor Jozef II founded his Imperial Wind Ensemble in Vienna, composed of pairs of oboes, clarinets, horns en bassoons. This make up would prove to become very popular until at least 1825.

Just to illustrate the popularity of the Harmoniemusik at this time: At the banquet in the finale of "Don Giovanni", Mozart has a "Harmonie" perform parts from "Una cosa Rara" by Vicente Martín y Soler, "I due litiganti" by Giuseppe Sarti and the aria "Non piu andrai" from his own "The Marriage of Figaro".

There is no strict separation between the harmoniemusik and the very similar wind sextet for pairs of clarinets, horns en bassoons. Oboes or english horns could substitute the clarinets (see Josef Haydn). On some occasion basset horns would be used. The wind sextet existed long before 1782. Josef Haydn wrote a substantial number of works for wind sextet [Recordings by Consortium Classicum on Teldec 242 740-2, © 1988, (p) 1980, 1981] .

František Vincenc Kramář adds a contrabassoon (some editions of these works also mention stringed bas, serpent or trombone) to the usual form of 4 pairs of "winds" in his famous "harmonies á neuf parties" [Recordings by Sabine Meyer] . Josef Triebensee and Antonio Rössler-Rosetti (in his Parthia in F) would even add flutes.

The ensembles with flutes appear at the start of the 19^th century to accommodate transcriptions of romantic compositions.

The "Harmoniemusik" has had an important influence on the development of the symphonic orchestra, of which it becomes an integral part. Think about the symphony no. 40 of Mozart, the London symphonies of Haydn, the opera The Magic Flute. It is clear that wind instruments are becoming more important for a number of composers (Mozart, Beethoven) wishing to use their color pallette in their orchestrations.

Names of wind ensembles

Some of the names given to a band of wind instruments:
* Harmonie
* "Türkische Musik" (in 1816 foundation of the "Journal for Harmonie and Turkish music", with Turkish percussion, also named ‘Janitscharenmusik’, [Spohr Op. 34 en Beethoven Op. 91] )
* Militärorchester
* Bläserorchester
* Tafelmusik (start 18th century)
* Blasende Instrumente
* Hautboistenbande

Musical Forms

Works for wind ensembles have been published using different names. Some of these names point to the structure of the piece, whilst other names point to the specific use and purpose of the compositions.

Names

* Partita (Parthia, Parthie, Partia, Feldpartita): In general a composition with a cyclic suite structure (also variation structure). Starting in the middle of the 18th century this name is used (in Vienna) for a chamberwork composed of several movements. In general, it is a triadic form closely related to the concerto form.
* Serenade ("Nachtmusik"): This points to incidental music for use in the evening or at night.
* Divertimento (Divertissement): This points to incidental music for use at dinner on festive occasions, as "entertainment" for the guests.
* Suite: This is a reference to the classical danssuite of the Baroque.
* Harmonie: A four part form resembling closely the symphonie at the end of the 18th century.

Notable Works

Notable works of "Harmoniemusik" are exclusively for wind instruments, or wind instruments are prominently featured. Examples include Mozart's "Gran Partita", the "Serenade for Winds in C Minor, K. 388", Elgar's "Harmony Music" for wind quintet, Haydn's "Harmoniemesse" (1802), and Mendelssohn’s "Harmoniemusik op.24" (1824).

Harmoniemusik often took the form of transcriptions of other works, most notably operas, symphonies and ballets. Wenzel Sedlak, Jan Nepomuk Vent and Josef Triebensee are some of the most successful transcribers, leaving a substantial body of works. Many of their transcriptions are recorded and available on CD.

Discography

*

ee also

*Tafelmusik (musical term)
*Concert Band

References

* Roger Hellyer. "Harmoniemusik", "Grove Music Online", ed. L. Macy (accessed June 1 2005), [http://www.grovemusic.com/ grovemusic.com] (subscription access).
* Janet Heukeshoven. "A Harmonie arrangement of "Barber of Seville" by Wenzel Sedlak," Doctoral Dissertation, 1994.