The Divine Comedy I. - The Inferno

[@Hazelshade12]

The one time it's a compliment when your band director tells you "it felt like he was in hell"

[@mitchellware7814]

This peace makes you realize how evil a director can be

[@mitchellware7814]

piece sorry. I think thats the right spelling lol

[@michaeldeitch3642]

THATS EXACTLY WHAT MY DIRECTOR SAID AND WE JUST STARTED KEARNUNG THIS TODAY

[@ElectricBookWorm]

i once heard this played live and it was EPIC. they had the stage darkened and used red glow sticks as light for the musicians and the stage was given a hellish red glow from the lights above though only enough the see dark silhouettes of the players plus a light touch of fog from off stage. I saw it over five years ago and it still sticks in my head as once of the coolest things i have seen / heard. Much props to the Doane college in Crete for their performance just in case anyone who played at that time happens to stumble upon this.

[@kaylakephart1733]

Nik henagar My director is planning on using red lighting as well! We're also going to have all the vocal groups sing from the balcony in our auditorium where we play.

[@revi0li108]

Yeah we’re doing this song in band. Maybe I’ll talk to my band teacher about breaking out some red lights.🤔😂

[@pagesummer7628]

Shadow my I’m preforming this pice in February, I am so excited!

[@iangreer4585]

Now I know what to convince my band to do

[@novelaargcrbet3108]

@vair lover that sounds terrifyingly awesome!

[@94Bulldogboy]

We somehow got Robert W. Smith himself to come and direct this piece as we prepared for district. Talk about an awesome guy. Listening to him describe the story as he directed was even better. We crushed it! Trombone rocks ;)

[@taylormidgley4491]

94Bulldogboy Trombone rocks fo sho!!!

[@allyrod4642]

94Bulldogboy Trombone ftw!

[@vanessaramos6797]

He is awesome he direct us for all state and he told us the story of Inchon great person

[@bluewind7386]

94Bulldogboy he is sooo cool

[@katarinathegreat2822]

He is such a great person, he conducted at one of my events. Clarinetist here

[@jacobmartinez9339]

I just read the Inferno for school this year and I absolutely love how he mimics each circle so well! I can just imagine Dante waking up in the forest to the oboe solo, and then entering hell with the grand entrance of the entire band. And each circle in the piece is actually prominent and symbolic of the circles in the book, such as the fast moving woodwind lines marking circle 2, and then later the moaning and whip cracks/marching does a fantastic job of representing the eighth.

[@TheBorneBajesus]

this song is amazing, not just an auditory journey but a visual one as well. Every time I listen to it, my spine tingles. This is what I imagine a journey through hell would sound like.

[@andrewprawat8199]

TheBorneBajesus sounds really nice for a trip to hell

[@CynicalClam]

We played this my sophomore year of high school. As a French Horn player, I had never been so stoked to play a piece of music. Still one of my favorites!

[@rachelleanderson3549]

Same here actually. The horn part is so good.

[@clairemcdonough3610]

I also played this my sophomore year as a French horn player the best part was that in my English class at the time we were reading Dante’s inferno

[@dokisenate66]

Rest in Peace, Robert W. Smith. My high school band had the privilege of playing this movement when I was still there. You will be missed.

[@KatGriffinTheSlytherin]

omg... this was the opening to my freshman marching band show. so. many. memories.

[@AImighty_Loaf]

+Kat Griffin YOU PLAYED THIS FOR MARCHING BAND?!?!?!

[@AImighty_Loaf]

***** this is the type of song that is for concert band.

[@AImighty_Loaf]

***** link it?

[@andrewprawat8199]

omg my friend goes to plymouth

[@brianlovesmc]

Who is ur friend?

[@Iplonk]

We did the full Divine Comedy my sophomore year in high school and to this day, it was my favorite band concert ever.

[@katherineursitti3683]

We played this for my college concert band. The bass clarinets got to join in for that first low note. We and the low brass were told “play it loud, but no fog horns and no blowing out your chops”. There was a quick glance between us all, some maniacal grins and we let loose. I can still remember feeling that note in my rib cage.

[@KeyboardKingStanley]

DUH DUH DUH, DUH DUH duga duga duh duh duga duga duga duga duga dug, duga duga duga duga duga duga DUH DUH DUH, DUH DUH, and so on and so forth :D

[@crazyinsanereneee]

did all four movements in a band concert and it was my most memorable band experience! did a bunch of flute solos:)

[@ladyplague6043]

ha! i remember running around percussion in highschool playing 6 different parts. it was so fun though.

[@iliterallycantdeal6122]

LadyPlague what I’m doing now I got mallets 😃

[@Pablo-eu5uv]

My mid school concert band is playing this at our end of the year concert

[@TheSuperkooz]

isn't the part with the chains fun? how many concert percussion players need to put on work gloves to drop a rusty tractor chain on a wooden box?

[@amnerislopez]

Same! We played a few of Robert’s pieces and they all had the percussion section rushing around doing all kinds of crazy stuff. Always fun though!

[@jamesmitchell2799]

I remember that two years ago that we played this piece and they broke the timpani sticks

[@Nomadmandude]

I remember playing this 13 years ago. Glad to hear its still being played.

[@ebgbees]

lol, reminds me of a video I found of classical music that literally requires the timpani player to rip through the drumhead by falling into it on the last note.

[@crushingbelial]

***** and no link? :(

[@ebgbees]

Adam Harvey Sorry ;/ I'd link you if I knew how to find it

[@crowmaticism]

When our timpani player played this piece, she broke on of the timpani heads. Timpani players go all out.

[@plastix6041]

I was the trumpet soloist for my band. They had me to play down the hall to add more of an echo for it. Then halfway through the performance around 10 students left the performance and would go down the hallway and would yell and scream.

[@jamesdrill8692]

0:00 - 0:28 *Floating down the River Styx* 0:30 - 0:32 *Waterfall drop* 0:32 *Hades: "WELCOME TO HELL!"* *laughs maniacally*

[@keymaker2112]

Timpany part is absolutely BEAST. I loved playing it back in HS band...goddamn I miss band class.

[@SoKyShoot]

same dude!! I played timpani on that one too was one of my favorite pieces

[@duncanpark3696]

I played Timpani for this senior year. And when you only got a couple months left, do you really care if you are about to break 5 drum heads?

[@lucasrojers336]

THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF MY FAVORITE BAND PIECE COMMENTS NOW THANK YOU

[@__SL__]

Lmaoo

[@mehmehmeh2345]

I remember looking at the sheet music for flute freshman year and being terrified by the runs... but a really amazing song to play!

[@__SL__]

It’s been three years since I played clarinet in this…wow. And I forgot what it sounded like until the second it started, then it all came back :)

[@DrunDNA]

Really an extraordinary composition, and congratulations to you who has the pleasure of hearing or touch it where you live.

[@IcelandsPuffin]

All four pieces of the Divine Comedy have been selected for the yearly concert of the orchestra I'm in, and I'm so excited!!

[@Baseball_Louie6320]

Oh my god Iceland's Puffin you’re actually the best. I’m subscribed to you and your stuff on musescore is great! Awesome name by the way!

[@michaellu4086]

Man, this brings back soooo many memories of high school! We played all 4 movements and it was pretty awesome

[@kobaltwolf437]

Those low Bb's got me on that oboe solo. I eventually got 97% of the notes out during the actual performance but the rehearsals were a different story. XP Had to adjust the reeds perfectly. LOVED this piece though.

[@kobaltwolf437]

They were harder to get out than the sixthlets in Cb major xP

[@bazzanautftw7034]

The oboe runs.... 5 flats kms. At least we got the coolest solo

[@Mediocre_Music]

Bazzanaut FTW Was I'm a sax and I get all the oboe solos since we don't have one. Ugh concert tomorrow lol

[@mayaangstadt734]

The bassoon runs tho. We have thirteen thumb keys and five flats. I wanted to impale myself with my reed.

[@plastix6041]

We didn't have an oboe player so I had to play my trumpet with a straight mute.

[@allyrod4642]

This sounds like some great marching band music.

[@Axetota]

My High School marching band did a divine comedy show in 1998... it was really good.

[@kwabzycomposer]

my school did it in 2014. They got the best score

[@andemily7798]

My school marching band played this as our closer for our 2016 show

[@desired2396]

We are playing the divine comedy in concert band lol

[@Pablo-eu5uv]

In my opinion it sounds like it would take place in a more symphonic setting

[@Corchini]

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[@cdup10470]

i played the timpani solo for this my senior year of high school. such an AMAZING song

[@ElleCaitie]

Played flute for this earlier today in my wind orchestra concert. The best fun ever!

[@acejia8]

Capital high school , olympia, Wa Wind ensemble + divine comedy = standing ovation Yeah thats right WIN!!!!!

[@jordan9612]

My high schools wind ensemble played this about a week ago for our poos concert and they killed playing this and purgatorio! This is my favorite out of the four movements

[@nicolehuebner7084]

This is the opener to our marching band show this year!!!

[@name_3126]

Nicole Huebner Sound of Brownsburg?

[@nicolehuebner7084]

+Edge Mechanic No. Brandon Valley Marching Lynx

[@Heavenlyvampire]

My marching band played Inferno, purgatory, and paradisio. My favorite piece of music we have ever played. We got 4th in the state competition that year ^_^. Truly is an amazing work of music. Especially Paradisio.

[@Krillicu]

Out of my first 3 years being in high school, this was by far my favorite song, can't wait to see what Wind Ensemble holds for my senior year. You'll love playing 146! :D

[@erinlanning9800]

My high school band is playing this for our Spring concert and can I just say, the 1st time we listened to it, it scared me 😳

[@jakefromshadefarm]

Freshman Piccolo and flute player... My world turned upside down, but I loved it! I played the solo like a boss >:)

[@IAmTheEg7]

My college band played all four movements at a concert in December, and this and Paradiso were my favorite ones. Also, we didn't have a oboist, but rather a violin player replaced that. The violin player did nice doing the opening solo. Shoutouts to all the first trumpet players who played that solo at 4:30! 4:48 must have been hard to tongue so fast!

[@JJC2raarz]

We played this a year ago while I was in high school when I was a freshman. I played second chair flute. It was and still AWESOME!

[@k1ttenofborg187]

My band added whispers at the end. “Help me”, “don’t leave us”.

[@timhook2086]

You mean “ Dont be”leave” me”*

[@bluberri90]

Thats pretty creepy and fucking awesome

[@ashtongriego3732]

My band added screams at some parts

[@TheVoiceofKizzy]

Awwww dude that's so cool. My band played this but not for marching band. I wanted to so bad

[@mtbbaconbro5236]

Your band teacher is epic as hell for that

[@XxMoonxGirlxX]

God dang the oboe solo sets the mood perfectly every time I listen to this piece

[@lace2014]

We are playing this for our band concert Monday. Love playing it, its a lot of fun.

[@reapdriftzz]

Just recently played this with my high school band, getting ready to play all 4 pieces of the divine comedy this upcoming concert season

[@drune9]

Playing this for the second time in concert! I absolutely love the marimba parts! 16th runs with 4 mallets are EPIC!

[@josephjohnson5802]

I love this so much without the horns it wouldn't give it that hell type aura. I can't wait to play it this year

[@cmsugrad04]

played this in high school (more than 13 years ago) and i still like it to this day!!

[@michaelmcgavin3715]

I played clarinet and this was one of the hardest pieces I ever played. Segment 1:45-2:32 was a bitch! Thankfully, I could double-tongue

[@kandordnd1601]

+Michael McGavin Woah, another dude who plays clarinet! I thought there weren't any others than me and my two friends... Good to know haha

[@andrewprawat8199]

+EnderDoes Skyrim i'm a dude and i play clarinet

[@michaelmcgavin3715]

+EnderDoes Skyrim Awesome. We played this in symphonic band. I somehow learned to double tongue so that helped a lot. I played the oboe solos on clarinet, since we didn't have an oboe. Coincidentally, I played this in All-State too. I believe the director took this faster than here. Whoa!

[@katarinathegreat2822]

Fellow clarinetists! Hello. I had the oboe cues too, took me a WHILE to get them just right

[@kendallkearly2542]

Michael McGavin try oboe.... playing the solo.... and the runs..... and you can’t double tongue. life is great

[@OKScottT]

I was at George Mason University when we jointly commissioned the piece with JMU. Fond memories.

[@emoriyeet2999]

I played this in 7th grade. The memories. :)

[@katiekay12648]

I played this on flute for concert band, then tenor sax for marching band, this piece is amazing.

[@mialaping7026]

I listen to this song like every day, it's so epic it's on my ipod

[@expilectakunai]

man this comment was 8 years ago, back when everyone was still using ipods lol

[@cjthecomposer02]

1:07 That flute just unlocked a memory from within my head, holy hell

[@hun64597]

Beautiful piece....

[@TheMike5478]

Playing this for concert band didnt realize it was this long-Tuba/Sousa player

[@mhsline1423]

My high school marching band is doing an Elements show and this song is our "Fire" movement. It's gonna be amazing!

[@faustolizarde3013]

The band got a superior on this piece in concert festival. Love the way it brings the fiery dramatic elements to the audience.

[@Krillicu]

5:03 I loved playing the lead trombone part at measure 146. It's so amazing

[@dodgeballwhiz]

i played horn for this freshman year of high school and for a competition that we achieved superior ranking in. I felt bad for the woodwinds.

[@OmegalvlMutant]

Screven County Symphonic Band played The Divine Comedy Perfectly back in 98-99

[@kittehvlr]

the color guard routine is awesome for tis peice. so amazing!!!

[@AFlawInThePlanDH]

Our first movement in our marching show last year was this song

[@KeremyJato]

I love that oboe solo....

[@abbyxx19]

We played this in band as a part of our accidentally Hell themed winter concert...FRIGGIN AWESOME!

[@peytonmorgan2362]

Love the Oboe!

[@hopey4100]

The runs in this song are so much fun to play :D

[@Jokerjake72]

im playing this song in the symphonic band @ my school, its an excellent piece from my point of view and it adds a dark, evil and LOUD touch to any performance.

[@WSCNH]

I remember playing this in high school as a freshman, I was third chair, first trumpet. I loved this song, when we played it during a concert I'm pretty sure people in the audience were shitting themselves at the part at 3:02

[@lnielsenful]

Great job Ponies!!!!!!!!!!!

[@NunoVH]

I'll be a senior in high school next year, we're doing The Divine Comedy as our show. I get to play the solo at the beginning on alto sax :D

[@AzureExpanse]

I find myself experiencing ecstasy whenever i listen to this piece, especially when i hear those tympani and the oboe solo

[@bluberri90]

I played this freshman year high school. Our teacher said he was gonna have the senior band play it but thought would have us do it instead.

[@jordiguerra2188]

This is the closer for my marching show this year

[@AbdoMiguel]

i REALLY wish that my school's concert band would play all four sets. that would definately be the most epic concert EVER

[@fortepiano4491]

3:05-4:25 is definitely an homage to Rite of Spring.

[@Scorch24]

Gotta love that french horn :3

[@drune9]

it is going to be freaking amazing. I cant wait to perform this piece at our concert. (marimba)

[@brendenpearson4668]

alot of fun but it's still hard. i'm playing it on the french horn and love that i get the lead but it's still hard.

[@ThePumpkinBoatMC]

SAYYYYME

[@desired2396]

My instrument never leads! EVER! I’m a bass clarinet player!

[@jayciefrederick4680]

the ending of this took my breath away

[@DPGoinGhost]

we're playing it this year in concert band. this song is sooooo challenging yet at the same time sooooooo epic!

[@Bdun13]

*HIGH FIVE* fellow trombone player here, this is awesome song, been playing for like 6 years. wish we get more melody though, it fun to show off with our slide :D

[@JuliaMariiie22]

I LOVE that trumpet solo

[@Nerocu32]

oh man oh man oh man oh man im a first chair clarinet and we have looked at the ascension but i seriously want to ripp these runs with my own clarinet casue this sounds amazing

[@Macko2003]

I played this when I was a freshman too! But it was 2000 then.

[@leighmegan91]

so, when i was in highschool, i played percussion. and i really really wish i would have gotten to play this! but noooo, they played it after i graduated! ugh! i would have had a BLAST with this piece!!! omg!

[@Mr_Gray_1995]

*Legendary.*

[@mikkat8613]

The ending sent me on edge love it ten out of 5

[@Condudeman]

as a trombone player who is currently playing this piece, I have to say I love the trombone part for this song

[@icemanhector21]

i remember playing this sucker in high school.

[@kittehvlr]

My band is doing this and I`m in the flag ( or colorguard) and it is just an amazing piece to work with LOVE it.

[@Robinhood123094]

Played this in my band last year and I got the chain, whip, gong, and xylophone

[@badlose2424]

@graapickens Nice 1st chair horn here too. we have our concert in a few days and its the entire devine comedy, but ascension is definitely my favorite

[@richardssa1999]

Playing the 32nd notes on a bass was my favorite part of this

[@kwabzycomposer]

3:00 this is SOOOOOO Rite of Spring sounding. Love it.

[@juiceboxoh]

my high school is playing all four pieces :'D! epic concert ever

[@shelbysen10r]

@SHINeeSuperJ i know right i like literaly just started tearing up when i heard those runs

[@cattaylor8246]

That oboe solo... It's so pretty but I can barely get the B flat out over half the time.

[@ebgbees]

It was hard for our oboe player too, but once she was able to hit the notes it sounded beautiful, so don't be discouraged!

[@benhuff1]

Don'f forget your reed water! That's what our oboe player did today at rehearsal xD

[@wheatley4306]

Reedwater... Heard about salvia?

[@98Pearlie]

Playing this in band. When your director says that the performance will start off with no lights, only candles coming on one by one, and at one point we will be screaming, you know its going to be interesting.

[@jojoflap]

We played this yesterday, but we had to pass it in. It was fun while it lasted though.

[@Xorcrupt]

The Timpani part is total win.

[@foxishuffle]

my band is playing this....i feel awesome

[@mikkat8613]

This is amazing god damn my soul