The Huntsville Chamber Winds
Just as the symphony grew out of the opera, the development of wind playing boldly emerged from the orchestral setting to stand alone – crying for recognition from a few composers who would give it a chance. Certainly, as early as the sixteenth century, Gabrielli championed the brass for special presentations in St. Mark’s Cathedral. Eventually, Mozart would contribute serenades and divertimenti for winds, and even Beethoven found occasion where winds and percussion could stand alone. Dvorak and Strauss followed suit with several wind serenades and Stravinsky shook the music world with a famously difficult bassoon solo in the first measure of his contemptuous The Rite of Spring, giving way a few years later to his Symphonies of Wind Instruments - a new standard in writing for the winds.
Believing that the contributions of these master composers to the chamber wind repertoire are as significant as their larger orchestral (and better-known) accomplishments, The Huntsville Chamber Winds was founded in 2006 on the premise of performing the often-overlooked chamber wind repertoire with sincerity and artistic integrity. Comprised of Huntsville’s finest freelance and professional instrumentalists, the Huntsville Chamber Winds enjoys a close association with the UA Huntsville Department of Music, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and the Huntsville Community Chorus. Led by conductor David Ragsdale, The Huntsville Chamber Winds has given performances of the core wind repertoire alongside some edgier, contemporary works, adding interest and vitality to their concert programs.
