Divertimento

Leonard Bernstein / arr. Clare Grundman

Divertimento Leonard Bernstein composed this work for the Boston Symphony Orchestra's centennial celebration in 1980. He wrote with gratitude towards the symphony and his extensive history with Boston.

A divertimento is a light instrumental chamber work in several movements. This one is a series of eight vignettes based on two notes, B for Boston and C for Centennial. “Sennets and Tuckets” (a Shakespearean stage direction for fanfares) was originally to have been the entire composition, but such an abundance of fun-filled transformations flowing from the B-C motive suggested themselves to the composer that he found himself with an embarrassment of riches.

The work is replete with allusions to the repertoire the composer grew up with in Symphony Hall. Some are quite obvious and others are more for the orchestra players themselves, e.g. the opening section of the final “March” is a quiet meditation for three flutes, marked in the score, “Memoriam,” recalling the beloved conductors and orchestra members of the BSO who are no longer with us.

Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) was a famous American pianist, composer, educator and conductor. His compositions include operas, ballets, masses, jazz, concertos, musicals, movie music and symphonies. He achieved broad popularity with concert and lecture series in the new medium of television, starting with Omnibus in 1954, and followed by Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic.

Last updated on March 13, 2018 by Palatine Concert Band