Robert Wendel

Born in 1951, Robert Wendel studied conducting with Harold Farberman, Brian Priestman, and Michael Charry, and composition and orchestration with Leroy Anderson and Hale Smith. He has guest conducted many of the major symphony orchestras in America including the Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Minnesota, Baltimore, Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Dallas Symphony orchestras, and has toured the US and Europe as conductor for Harry Connick Jr., culminating in the PBS special "Romance From Paris" and concert for the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. Robert also conducted national and European tours of "The Pirates Of Penzance" and "Evita."

He has been conductor and arranger for Harry Connick, Jr., Carol Channing, Rita Moreno and other stars. As composer, arranger, and publisher, Robert has written for musical theater, symphony orchestra, PBS-TV, the 1993 Presidential Inauguration, and television commercials. He created and conducted an entire concert saluting the cartoon music of Hanna-Barbera Productions for the San Bernardino Symphony, and an evening of Two Centuries of American Music as the first conductor to take the podium of the New Britain Symphony upon the retirement of its Music Directer after 38 years.

His "Fanfare For Freedom" is rapidly becoming a staple in the symphonic Memorial Day and July 4th repertory, and his arrangements are frequently heard at Cincinnati Pops Concerts. Three of his Christmas arrangements have been recorded by the Cincinnati Pops with Erich Kunzel for Telarc and "Commemoration" has been adopted as almost a memorial "anthem" in concerts across the USA after the events of 9-11-2001 and has been recorded on ABC Classics by the Tasmanian Symphony, and was featured live coast-to-coast in the 2006 National Memorial Day Concert on PBS to dedicate the WW II Monument and again in 2009 as part of the tribute to Abraham Lincoln narrated by Lawrence Fishbourne.


Original Compositions

FANFARE: WELCOME HOME

by Robert Wendel
Description: NEW for 2010: An original composition dedicated to all who have seen foreign service, both military and civilian.
Instrumentation:0/0/0/0 - 4/4(or 3)/3/1 - Timp, Sn Dr., Field Dr., Bass Drum. (+ Optional herald trumpets in the finale)
Duration:3:05
Cost:$100 Rental Only.

DONA NOBIS PACEM

for Chorus & Orchestra
Words adapted from Walt Whitman, Herman Melville and James Joyce.
 
Description: In remembrance of 9-11 and all those we have lost to war or other conflicts. Based on Civil War poems by Walt Whitman and Herman Melville and a now century old poem by James Joyce, their words ring as true and timely as ever today. This work is alternatively pensive, hopeful, angry, joyous, warlike and, ultimately peaceful employing at one point a "plea for peace" in 20 different languages, which are listed in the score notes. Though generally employing a more traditional and "accessible" musical language, this work is often very untraditional in its content. The "sheet music" link above will download the complete conductor's score. The "sheet music" links below will download a piano/vocal reduction for that movement only.
Individual Movements:

  1. HUSHED BE THE CAMPS TODAY

  2. MEDITATION

  3. BALL'S BLUFF

  4. MY DOVE
Instrumentation:2+Picc/2/2+BCl/2 - 4/3/3/1+Opt Euph. - timp + 3 perc, harp, piano/celeste, strings, SATB chorus, Boys [or childrens] Choir.
Duration:approximately 30 minutes.
Notes: Currently seeking a premiere performance.

MEDITATION

From "Dona Nobis Pacem"
by Robert Wendel
Description: This pensive work for string orchestra was given honorable mention in the 2007 Fauxharmonic "Adagio Contest" for its "...outstanding quality and emotional power."
Instrumentation:Strings only.
Duration:5:30
Notes: World premiere: University of Wyoming Symphony, Feb. 25, 2010. Dr. Michael T. Griffith, conductor.
Cost:$100 Rental Only.
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby.

TOWERS OF LIGHT - An Elegy for Orchestra

by Robert Wendel
Description: This work was inspired by memories and impressions of the annual light tributes held at "Ground Zero" in NYC every year. It depicts the Hudson River at sunset and the Manhattan skyline playing with light. As darkness descends, the light "towers" gradually appear, reaching ever upwards. Dust, clouds, and smoke swirl within the light columns, as if ascending towards the infinite. Finally, gradually, the light towers fade into morning twilight, not to be seen for another year.
Instrumentation:2/2(2d EH)/2/2 - 2/0/0/0 - timp, 2 perc, celeste, harp, and strings
Duration:7:00
Cost:$200 Rental Only.
Notes:World premiere on 11/11/07 by the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Jere Flint, conductor.
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby.

THE TALL SHIPS

by Robert Wendel
Newly revised!
Description: An original tone picture by Robert Wendel that evokes the spirit of the early maritime explorers, the wind in the sails, sea chanties, and waves crashing on the ship's bow.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp, Celeste and strings
Duration:5:55
Cost:$175 Rental only.
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby.

TAKE FLIGHT

by Robert Wendel
Description: An original composition to mark the 100th anniversary of controlled, powered flight, yet celebrating everyone who dares to dream.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2+opt B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:5:20
Cost:$175 Rental Only.

FANFARE FOR FREEDOM

by Robert Wendel
Description: An original composition by Robert Wendel, rapidly becoming an often-programmed opener for Memorial Day and 4th of July concerts with its blazing trumpets, thundering timpani, and pealing bells with over 250 performances to date.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, opt piano, and strings
Duration:3:30
Cost:$180 Rental only.
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby.

COMMEMORATION

by Robert Wendel
Description: An original work by Robert Wendel that is a sort of "double trumpet voluntary" suitable for any occasion of importance, remembrance, salute, or honor such as Memorial Day, July 4th, Veterans Day, or other commemorative concerts.
Comments: "...a penetrating work." — The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Instrumentation2+picc/1 + E. Hrn/2/2 - 4/2,3,or 4 Trumpets/3/1 Timpani, 2-3 percussion, optional organ, and strings
Duration:3:45
Cost:$180 Rental Only.
Notes: This work has been recorded by Sean O'Boyle and The Tasmanian Symphony for ABC Classics. This work was featured in the 2006 National Memorial Day Concert on PBS, with Erich Kunzel conducting the National Symphony. It will be performed again on the 2009 National Memorial Day Concert on May 24 as part of the tribute to Abraham Lincoln. If you enjoyed the PBS telecast, please go to: http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/feedback.html and tell them you liked "Commemoration" and would like to hear it again next year! Thank you.
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby.

A HALLOWEEN TRILOGY

by Robert Wendel
 
Description: You may rent all three works below as a package for $275!!!
Component Works:

  • THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM

    An original composition based on the famous short story by Edgar Allan Poe: The Inquisition, The Pit, The Pendulum, The Walls Close In, A Blast of Noise and Liberation by the French Army. Great for Halloween, literary or educational concerts.
    Instrumentation: 2/2/2/2 - 4/2/3/1 - Timpani, Xylophone, Glock, Tam-Tam, Susp Cymbal, Guerro, Tenor Drum, Piatti and Bass Drum, and Strings.
    Duration: 5:20
    Cost: $150 Rental Only.

  • TRICK OR TREAT

    This work harks back to a simpler time when children went from house to house yelling "trick-or-treat, trick-or-treat, give us something good to eat!" Along the way, they pick up friends, spend a little time in the local "haunted house" and then resume their trip. Finally, someone scares them but good, and they all scatter to their respective homes to enjoy the fruits of their Halloween night.
    Instrumentation: 2/2/2/2 - 0/0/0/0 - Xylophone, Snare Drum, Susp Cymbal, and Strings.
    Duration: 3:40
    Cost: $100 Rental Only.

  • RIDE OF THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN

    An original composition based on the Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. Creepy sounds of the foggy forrest, the clock strikes midnight, the horse rears up, and the chase is on until the Headless Horseman traps Ichabod Crane on the covered bridge and "the deed is done!"
    Instrumentation: 2+picc/1+E Hn/2+B Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, Trap set, Mark Tree, Xylophone, Glock, Chimes, Tam-Tam, Triangle, Piatti and Bass Drum, Harp, and Strings.
    Duration: 5:25
    Cost: $175 Rental Only.
Duration:15 minutes total performance time.
Cost:$275 Combined Rental
Notes:A truly international hit with performances in the USA, Australia, Canada, UK, and Scotland.
Notes: A CD quality download of this work from the album "American Reflections" is available at CDBaby.

THE APRIL FOOL CONCERTO aka "The Instant Concerto"

by Robert Wendel
Description: What can be said other than that this work lasts over 8 minutes, yet it doesn't have a single original theme in it! It's loaded with quotes Tschaikovsky to Sousa, from "Chop-Sticks" to Happy Birthday, and many "sight-gags" from a wedding to a cowboy gun fight! Truly a piece of comic relief. Mod easy solo piano part.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/2/2/1[opt] - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, and strings
Duration:8:15
Cost:$200 Rental Only.
Notes:New version commissioned by Erich Kunzel for the Cincinnati Pops

PARADE OF THE PERCUSSIONISTS

by Robert Wendel
Description: A new, original march FOR the percussion section accompanied by the orchestra. A great surprise for any Pops concert, and perfect for Young People's Concerts. Exactly how many percussionists you use depends on how "athletic" they can be...which can make for good "visuals" too!
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2/2 - 4/3/3/1 and strings PLUS Timpani, Trap Drums, 3-4 percussion, opt. piano
Duration:3:50
Cost:$180 Rental Only.

FANTASIA ON "YEROUSHALAIM SHEL ZAHAV"

by Robert Wendel
Description: A musical fantasia on the Israeli folk song "Jerusalem Of Gold" (used in the film "Schindler's List"). Appropriate any time, including Chanukah.
Instrumentation:1/1+EH/1/1 - 0/0/0/0, 1 prc, harp, and strings
Duration:5:20
Cost:$200 Rental Only.

THE BELLS OF CHRISTMAS

by Robert Wendel and Vince Trani
Description: An original work for chorus and orchestra by Robert Wendel with co-lyricist Vince Trani which celebrates all the various bell sounds of the Christmas season.
Instrumentation:2+picc/2/2+ opt B. Cl/2 - 4/3/3/1 - Timpani, 2-3 percussion, harp, opt celeste [or piano], opt HANDBELLS, and strings
Duration:3:40
Cost:$200 Rental Only.
Includes 100 chorus books with extra books available at 25¢ each.

SANTA DEAR

by Robert Wendel and Vince Trani
Description: An original work for childrens chorus [or solo] and orchestra with lyrics by Vince Trani and music by Robert Wendel. This is a rather humorous "letter of denial" to Santa from someone who seems to get into a lot of trouble during the year. What if Bart Simpson wrote a letter to santa? This would be it!
Instrumentation:2/2/2/2 -0/0/0/0 - timp, 2 perc, celeste (or piano), harp, and strings.
Duration:3:10
Cost:$170 Rental Only.
20 chorus books provided. Additional books are available at 25¢ each.

CHRISTMAS THROUGH CHILDREN'S EYES

by Robert Wendel and Vince Trani
Description: A new, original work for chorus and orchestra in waltz time. Mostly a joyous evocation of the simple joys of a younger age, but with a nostalgic turn in the coda. Premiered 2001 by Ken Staton and the Kona Symphony Orchestra & Chorus.
Instrumentation:2+picc-2-2-2/4-3-3-1/timp-chimes-glock-sleigh bells-piatti-toy piano[provided with rental]/harp/strings and SATB choir.
Duration:3:50
Cost:$200 Rental Only.
Includes 100 chorus books. Additional books are available at 25¢ each.

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