Debut performance, April 14, 2013, with Dietrich Schnabel conducting:

CSD99 School District in Downer's Grove, IL August 2018, Annette Bachmann conducting:

“Württemberg Overture” was written in 2012 for Dietrich Schnabel and the Württembergisches Blockflötenorchester (WBO). WBO performed the world premier on April 14, 2013 at the Kronenzentrum Bietigheim-Bissingen, in Baden-Württemberg state, with 76 players on the stage. The performance featured one player each on Sopranino and Soprano, and many players on the other parts, including two dozen Contrabass recorders, and two each Subgreatbass and Subcontrabass.

The piece consists of two alternating sections — the first is stately and regal with a proud bass line; the second is contrapuntal and features a canzona rhythm (long followed by two shorts). Each time a section returns it is more ornate than the previous appearance. This is most prominent in the soloistic, quasi-concertante Sopranino part in the second and third iterations of the opening material, starting at measure 99 and 186 respectively, but can also be seen in the inner voices where more scalar and rhythmic interest are introduced. The canzona rhythm also appears in augmentation at half- and quarter-speed.

In an orchestral setting, the bits marked “solo” or “echo” should be played with only one player for textural contrast. For one-to-a-part playing, a lighter style could be employed there.

The Subgreatbass and Subcontrabass parts are optional, provided for those ensembles with the good fortune to have either of those large sizes in their arsenal. Of course, smaller groups without those sizes can also perform the piece to great effect.