La Fete (sc/parts) - min. 2OB/EH/BSN opt. drum

La Fête
for double reed band: minimum two oboes, taille )or English horn) bassoon, optional contra, and optional drum.

by John Steinmetz (b.1951) - American composer, bassoonist, writer, satirist, speaker

This is the printed music.  For the PDF download, click HERE.

Oboist Jeanine Krause, co-director of the International Double Reed Society's newly established Baroque Band, invited me to compose something for the group's ceremonial role as warm-up act before the conference's final evening concert. The challenge was not just to write for baroque instruments, but also to come up with music suitable for professional baroque musicians playing alongside avocational players and musicians having their first experience with baroque instruments. In keeping wih its occasion, the piece imitates festive baroque music and also wanders into other styles. The audience has a role to play, too.

duration ca. 4:50

Performance Notes

The music will probably sound best with a fairly equal number of players on each part. I wrote it for baroque instruments, but it will work for modern instruments, too.

The drum part is a suggestion; feel free to make improvements.