Borodin Symphony in B Minor - First Movement

Borodin's Second Symphony was years in the making, work often interrupted by calls for new commissions and Borodin's other fascinations with the sciences. Ultimately, the Symphony in B Minor would be hailed as his finest work, and Liszt himself would urge Borodin to not change a single note, claiming that it was perfection as it was. Arranging this orchestral symphony for a large woodwind ensemble must have been a challenge for Melanie Thorne, but the result is a solid transcription ("with no strings attached"). College-level or better high school wind ensembles can build a program around this impressive entry.

Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Clarinet 1 in Bb, Clarinet 2 in Bb, Clarinet 3 in Bb, Bass Clarinet in Bb, Contrabass Clarinet in Bb, Alto Saxophone 1 in Eb, Alto Saxophone 2 in Eb, Tenor Saxophone in Bb, Baritone Saxophone 1 in Eb, Baritone Saxophone 2 in Eb, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Contrabassoon