The wind octet was a popular ensemble of the classical period. In 1782, the Viennese Emperor formed a wind octet which specialized in playing opera arrangements. This music was used primarily as a form of background entertainment for dinners. This guide analyzes and compares the works of several well-known arrangers from the classical period in order to demonstrate arranging styles of the time. The arrangers of the period were often the performers of these various wind octets who were writing specifically for the players in their own ensembles. The style of Mozart’s original wind music is also discussed, in contrast to the arrangements of his works made by others. This guide is intended for serve performers of today as a tool to learn the art of arranging in an historical style. Idiosyncrasies of the classical-period wind instruments are discussed, as they relate to the style of wind arranging. The role of the contemporary arranger is compared with that of the classical period, and the case is made for the need for more contemporary arrangements of classical works using period arrangers as models.

The purpose of this study is in one part to observe the evolution of the wind octet genre and another to research the evolution of the bassoon's role in this ensemble. Specifically the essential role of the two bassoons are revealed by showing that they are the only pair of instruments that remain intact in the wind octet ensemble from the time of Mozart to the time of Stravinsky. Because of this, they provide the wind octet it's characteristic sound. To illustrate these points, two significant wind octets were examined in detail: The Serenade in Eb, K. 375 (1782) by Mozart and the Octet for Winds (1923/revised 1952) by Stravinsky. Despite the long time span between these two works, and the obvious changes in instrumentation, the Octet for Winds by Stravinsky could be called an evolved version of the earlier traditional wind octet. The research within illustrates how the writing for the bassoons changed and stayed the same as related to range, articulation, technical demands, interaction and blending, idiomatic features and role between the years of 1782 and 1923. Other octets that fall between these dates were examined to demonstrate this evolution. Also, in order to have a better understanding of the Serenade by Mozart and Octet for winds by Stravinsky, their symphonic works were analyzed to determine how each composer wrote for the bassoon in other genres and this is compared to the use of the bassoon in their octets.

La musique de circonstance pour "Harmoniemusik" (I760-1820) est un phénomène particulier à Vienne. Des nobles fondent vers 1760 un sextuor ou un octuor pour accompagner les divertissements et les dîners. Ce répertoire occupe encore une place limitée dans la capitale mais ce rôle s'accroît après 1770. Trois fonctions principales de la "Harmoniemusik" sont abordées : "Freiluftmusik", "Tafelmusik "et tout un répertoire destiné aux circonstances. Vienne s'impose comme un centre de la musique instrumentale. Elle compte de nombreuses "Harmoniemusik" au service de la noblesse. Des harmonies se retrouvent aussi dans différents lieux publics. Les œuvres demeurent un genre représentatif des valeurs classiques. L'analyse de partitions démontre les réponses apportées par les compositeurs sur la question du langage instrumental et des sonorités. La musique contribue à la formation d'une identité et traduit une expressivité inattendue qui se répercute dans des ouvrages plus imposants. / The occasional music for "Harmoniemusik" (1760-1820) is particular phenomenon in Vienna.Since 1760 the nobility founded there sextets or octets to provide entertainment and to accompany dinners. This repertory plays a very limited part but this role starts to grow after 1770 onwards. Three main functions of the Harmoniemusik are considered : "Freiluftmusik", "Tafelmusik" and a whole repertory destined to specific circumstances. Vienna imposes itself as the centre of instrumental. The Harmoniemusik remained an aristocratic phenomenon but thewind bands are also found in various areas of the capital. The works remains a category representative of classical values. The analysis of scores demonstrates the answers provided by composers to the theme of instrumental language and sonority. The music contributes to the formation of an musical identity and reflects an unexpected form of expression that impacts with the most imposing works.

Gyorgy Druschetzky was a noted Czech composer of Harmoniemusik, who wrote more than 150 partitas and serenades, along with at least thirty-two other selections for larger wind groups. This is in addition to twenty-seven symphonies, eleven concertos (most for wind instruments), two fantasias, forty-seven string quartets, two operas, a ballet that is lost, and other miscellaneous chamber music for various combinations of wind/string instruments. Three of his works for winds have existed only in manuscript form since their composition: Concerto in E-flat pour 2 clarinett en B, 2 cors en E-flat, 2 fagott; Overture to Mozart's Die Zauberflöte; and Partitta a la camera a corno di bassetto primo, secondo, terzo, due corno di caccia, due fagotti. These works remain remarkably interesting to modern ears and deserve to be heard in the twenty-first century. Along with a brief examination of Druschetzky's life and how it figures into the history of Harmoniemusik, this work presents each piece edited into a modern performance edition.

An interpretive approach to performing two works by Franz Krommer for wind ensemble. Including a short history of Harmoniemusik, with origins, development, and chronology of the instruments and repertoire, the roles of "better-known" composers of Harmoniemusik, and its importance in both general music history and history of the wind band. An account of known biographical detail concerning Franz Krommer, his life, his musical involvement and career in Europe, and his place in music history. An overview of his compositions for wind groups other than the Harmoniemusik, including his symphonic music and concertos. Detailed analyses of the two octet-partitas, Partita in F, Op. 57 and Partita in E-flat, Op. 79, with discussion of thematic, harmonic, melodic, articulation, and formal characteristics illustrated through score examples. Examination of issues for a conductor to consider when approaching a performance of these works such as instrumentation (modern vs. period instruments, selecting 16-foot instrument), taking (or not taking) repeats with respect to form, interpreting articulations, determining metronomic tempos, ensemble balance, and style based on wind music of the Classical period. Also, how this music can (and why it should) be used by wind conductors as both a teaching supplement and a compositional model for pieces from the Classical period. Conclusion includes a call for further research on Krommer and his works.

In der zweiten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts spielte Mendelssohns Musik in Kompositionslehren noch eine keineswegs unbedeutende Rolle. Insbesondere in deren Abteilungen zur sogenannten freien Komposition, soweit sie Fragen der musikalischen Form und der Orchestration betrafen, wurde Mendelssohn oft zitiert. Vor allem in Salomon Jadassohns Kompositionslehre erlangte sein Werk Modellcharakter. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie dieser Lehrer am Leipziger Konservatorium im späten 19. Jahrhundert auf der einen Seite Mendelssohns musikalische und ästhetische Haltung fortwirken lassen wollte, wie er sich jedoch andererseits bereits vorsichtig von gewissen Aspekten des Mendelssohnschen Komponierens distanzierte. Aus um 1900 geschriebenen Lehren verschwindet Mendelssohns Name zusehends ebenso wie die Namen jüdischer oder französischer Komponisten wie Halévy oder Meyerbeer. / In the second half of the 19th century Mendelssohn’s music played a prominent role in treatises upon composition. Especially the volumes on socalled „free composition“, including recommendations concernig musical forms, instrumentation and orchestration, often quote from his works. Mendelssohn claimed the figure of a model-composer. The paper concentrates on Mendelssohn as a model for young composers, as it was given by teachers at the Leipzig conservatoire. Treatises upon musical forms and instrumentation, written by Mendelssohn’s successors at the conservatoire show how the teachers on the one hand try to continue Mendelssohn’s compositional attitude and on the other hand try to part themselves from certain aspects of Mendelssohn’s music.

In der zweiten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts spielte Mendelssohns Musik in Kompositionslehren noch eine keineswegs unbedeutende Rolle. Insbesondere in deren Abteilungen zur sogenannten freien Komposition, soweit sie Fragen der musikalischen Form und der Orchestration betrafen, wurde Mendelssohn oft zitiert. Vor allem in Salomon Jadassohns Kompositionslehre erlangte sein Werk Modellcharakter. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie dieser Lehrer am Leipziger Konservatorium im späten 19. Jahrhundert auf der einen Seite Mendelssohns musikalische und ästhetische Haltung fortwirken lassen wollte, wie er sich jedoch andererseits bereits vorsichtig von gewissen Aspekten des Mendelssohnschen Komponierens distanzierte. Aus um 1900 geschriebenen Lehren verschwindet Mendelssohns Name zusehends ebenso wie die Namen jüdischer oder französischer Komponisten wie Halévy oder Meyerbeer. / In the second half of the 19th century Mendelssohn’s music played a prominent role in treatises upon composition. Especially the volumes on socalled „free composition“, including recommendations concernig musical forms, instrumentation and orchestration, often quote from his works. Mendelssohn claimed the figure of a model-composer. The paper concentrates on Mendelssohn as a model for young composers, as it was given by teachers at the Leipzig conservatoire. Treatises upon musical forms and instrumentation, written by Mendelssohn’s successors at the conservatoire show how the teachers on the one hand try to continue Mendelssohn’s compositional attitude and on the other hand try to part themselves from certain aspects of Mendelssohn’s music.

In der zweiten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts spielte Mendelssohns Musik in Kompositionslehren noch eine keineswegs unbedeutende Rolle. Insbesondere in deren Abteilungen zur sogenannten freien Komposition, soweit sie Fragen der musikalischen Form und der Orchestration betrafen, wurde Mendelssohn oft zitiert. Vor allem in Salomon Jadassohns Kompositionslehre erlangte sein Werk Modellcharakter. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie dieser Lehrer am Leipziger Konservatorium im späten 19. Jahrhundert auf der einen Seite Mendelssohns musikalische und ästhetische Haltung fortwirken lassen wollte, wie er sich jedoch andererseits bereits vorsichtig von gewissen Aspekten des Mendelssohnschen Komponierens distanzierte. Aus um 1900 geschriebenen Lehren verschwindet Mendelssohns Name zusehends ebenso wie die Namen jüdischer oder französischer Komponisten wie Halévy oder Meyerbeer. / In the second half of the 19th century Mendelssohn’s music played a prominent role in treatises upon composition. Especially the volumes on socalled „free composition“, including recommendations concernig musical forms, instrumentation and orchestration, often quote from his works. Mendelssohn claimed the figure of a model-composer. The paper concentrates on Mendelssohn as a model for young composers, as it was given by teachers at the Leipzig conservatoire. Treatises upon musical forms and instrumentation, written by Mendelssohn’s successors at the conservatoire show how the teachers on the one hand try to continue Mendelssohn’s compositional attitude and on the other hand try to part themselves from certain aspects of Mendelssohn’s music.

In der zweiten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts spielte Mendelssohns Musik in Kompositionslehren noch eine keineswegs unbedeutende Rolle. Insbesondere in deren Abteilungen zur sogenannten freien Komposition, soweit sie Fragen der musikalischen Form und der Orchestration betrafen, wurde Mendelssohn oft zitiert. Vor allem in Salomon Jadassohns Kompositionslehre erlangte sein Werk Modellcharakter. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie dieser Lehrer am Leipziger Konservatorium im späten 19. Jahrhundert auf der einen Seite Mendelssohns musikalische und ästhetische Haltung fortwirken lassen wollte, wie er sich jedoch andererseits bereits vorsichtig von gewissen Aspekten des Mendelssohnschen Komponierens distanzierte. Aus um 1900 geschriebenen Lehren verschwindet Mendelssohns Name zusehends ebenso wie die Namen jüdischer oder französischer Komponisten wie Halévy oder Meyerbeer. / In the second half of the 19th century Mendelssohn’s music played a prominent role in treatises upon composition. Especially the volumes on socalled „free composition“, including recommendations concernig musical forms, instrumentation and orchestration, often quote from his works. Mendelssohn claimed the figure of a model-composer. The paper concentrates on Mendelssohn as a model for young composers, as it was given by teachers at the Leipzig conservatoire. Treatises upon musical forms and instrumentation, written by Mendelssohn’s successors at the conservatoire show how the teachers on the one hand try to continue Mendelssohn’s compositional attitude and on the other hand try to part themselves from certain aspects of Mendelssohn’s music.