Huldigungsmarsch (Homage March) was written for military band in 1864 in Starnberg, Germany for the 19th birthday of King Ludwig II. First of Wagner’s three large-scale marches, this piece, with its confident melodic lines and rich counterpoint, speaks the language of the mature composer who is certain not only of his technique but of his goal. This march is the composer’s principal contribu- tion in his small legacy of original works written for wind ensemble.

Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, and conductor who is known primarily for his operas. His compositions are notable for their complex textures, rich harmonies and orchestration, and the elaborate use of leitmotifs — musical phrases associated with individual characters, places, ideas or plot elements. His advances in musical language, such as extreme chromaticism and quickly shifting tonal centers, greatly influenced the development of classical music.