Contrast really means something to those of us who enjoy classical music. The carefully constructed essence of music is the growth and movement between the various emotional plateaus of the composition. This is where the listener derives enjoyment, knowing that Beethoven, Stravinsky or Leonard Bernstein is in the driver's seat and that while we perhaps have a frame of reference for the adventure, we still don't completely know how the journey will proceed or end.
The idea of a symphony for band isn't new, but hearing Brahms' First Symphony for wind ensemble might confuse you at first. Mark assures us that we will like it, and that the arrangement fits.
