
Concert Band
LUDWIG!
A Symphonic Portait
Inspired by Ludwig van Beethoven
Info
My relationship to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven is a very personal one. It goes back to my school band and orchestra days, when I was introduced to his music, along with the music of many other great classical composers, who lived both before and during Beethoven’s era. While I was impressed by the work of other great composers of that time and before that time, there seemed to me to be something missing. Something that Beethoven’s music had that prior music lacked, that I couldn’t quite identify at the time. But upon coming of age as an adult, I knew exactly what the missing element was - PASSION!
The music prior to Beethoven was very good, much of it perfectly written according to the rules of composition at the time. But the music was more functional than it was emotional, while Beethoven’s music was bursting with every emotion known to humankind. This is what made his music so wonderful. A connection to the human spirit that no composer before him had attained, at least not nearly to the same level. In this original work for Symphonic Wind Band, I strive to capture the tenderness, the rage, the heartbreak, the joy and the sadness that was so prevalent in all of Beethoven’s music, and to pay homage to one of the greatest composers who ever put notes to paper! Here’s to the great genius LUDWIG van Beethoven, upon the 250th Anniversary of his birth!
James L. Hosay

See also
LUDWIG!
MVSR119-2
The Washington Winds - Edward Petersen
Ludwig! (Hosay) - Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven / Hosay) - Liechtenstein feiert! (Goetz) - NORA (Asanger) - Under the Boardwalk (arr. Schwalgin) - Psalm 148 (Boesendorfer) - Puppet on a String (arr. ...
Moonlight Sonata
MVSR3492
The “Moonlight Sonata”, actually the first movement of Piano Sonata No. 14 in C# Minor (Opus 27), is Ludwig van Beethoven’s most iconic work. It has been arranged, rearranged, recorded, broadcast and performed probably more that any ...
Valhalla
MVSR3414
Very few composers throughout history have had more of an influence on romantic music and romantic composers than Richard Wagner. Whenever a performance of his music is scheduled, all of the local composers flock to the concert hall to hear it. His ...
Godfather of Seville
MVSR3461
James L. Hosay’s “Godfather of Seville” is a musical satire, interspersing excerpts from Rossini’s “Barber Of Seville” with snippets of original music written in the style of the music scores from the famous ...
Lead Me Home
MVSR2953
Composer James L.Hosay drew the inspiration for “Lead Me Home” from a 19th century American gospel hymn. The exceptional depth of traditional gospel music, touching our hearts, is wonderfully shared in this moving composition for concert ...
Saint Patrick's Day Parade
MVSR2662
This bright and playful piece takes you to the big Saint Patrick’s Day Parade honoring the Irish patron Patrick on March 17, with all the floats and balloons, and of course, the music! The songs “Saint Patrick’s Day”, ...
Carrickfergus Posy
MVSR3435
The beautiful and haunting Irish folk song “Carrickfergus” was almost lost and forgotten to the ages, had it not been for the Irish-born actor Peter O’Toole, who sang the song to his friend, recording artist Dominic Behan. He made a ...