Porta ferrada per a banda simfònica

Comments regarding the musical arrangement for a symphonic band 

Given the character of this sardana (traditional Catalan dance) composition, for which I wrote a symphonic orchestra version in 1974 including two tenor voices, and bearing in mind the fact that the town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols has been named “Sardana Capital City, 2021”, I decided it would be apt to compose a symphonic version for a wind orchestra. I was specifically thinking of the Barcelona Municipal Band which has historically always included a flabiol flute, and the oboe-like Catalan tible and tenora instruments. In this way, they preserve the sound of the cobla, the small ensemble which traditionally plays sardanas. A unique sound representing Catalan music which, combining with the symphonic instruments of the band, produces a final result with a range of pitches and an instrumental density ideal for expressing the spirit of this piece.

Jordi León
Composer of this version for a symphonic band
July 2021