Overture to “The Andersonville Trial” (1982)

For:

  • Chamber Orchestra: 2(I,II=pic)-2(II=corA)-2-2 / 2-2-2-0 / timp.2 perc / strings (min. 3.3.3.2.1 players)

  • Concert Band: pic.4fl.2ob.3bsn.cl(Eb)3cl(Bb).BC / sax.asax.tsax.bsax / 4tp.4hn.3tb.euph.tba / 3perc

Duration: 8.5’

First Performance: 12 November 1989 / Santa Cruz Symphony Orchestra / JoAnn Falletta, conductor

Dedication: "For William Smith, in appreciation."

Publisher: Peermusic Classical

Program Note:

Composed in Philadelphia during summer and fall 1982 based on sketches from an abandoned opera for an all-male cast based on McKinlay Kantor’s historical novel Andersonville and Saul Levitt’s courtroom drama The Andersonville Trial, the overture was first performed by the Orchestra of the Curtis Institute on 22 November 1982, conducted by the composer. Hagen repeated the piece with the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia on 10 April 1983 before revising it slightly for its professional premiere by the Santa Cruz Symphony Orchestra, conducted by JoAnn Falletta on 12 November 1989. Hagen dedicated the score to Philadelphia Orchestra associate conductor William Smith. Daron arranged the piece for concert band in 2016 for a consortium that included the Miami University Band (Gary Speck, conductor), the University of Michigan Band (Michael Haithcock, conductor), and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Band (Laura Rexroth, conductor).