Manhattan Beach Music The Two-Minute Symphony - Margolis - Concert Band - Gr. 1

Composer: Bob Margolis
Format: Score and Parts
Instrumentation: Concert Band
Level: 1

Can there be a two-minute symphony?

This work is certainly two minutes, and it does sound like a symphony because there are symphonic elements in it: It has a clearly-stated theme, which is developed, fragmented, plopped into minor, extended, kneaded, and recapitulated. Fiddled with, actually -- like Beethoven, only smaller. Therefore, many of the makings and trimmings of a symphony are here, and even though there is not enough time for a secondary theme, we are clearly in proto-symphonic territory. - Bob Margolis

(Sound Sample - Performance by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Symphony Band, Donald S. George, conductor)