List of works || SELECTED WORKS

Duets

Sonata for Violin and Piano (1941)

Weinzweig composes an equality between the two instruments. But the violin shines in its extended cadenza in the latter part of the work.

Keyboard

Improvisations on an Indian Tune (1942; Revised 1980)

Using a Dene traditional dance tune, Weinzweig explores the organ's great textural and timbral capacity.

Orchestra, Band

Interlude in an Artist's Life (1943)

Weinzweig completed this composition shortly before beginnning his duties as an instructor for the RCAF bandsman at Rockcliffe, Ottawa. Although this work is serial, it harkens back to tonal compositions using a ternary-like form and by highlighting the perfect fourth interval. 

Duets

Intermissions for Flute and Oboe (1943)

The oboe and flute variously coordinate and compete throughout the four movements, each of which displays rhythmic variety and melodic inventiveness within an overall dissonant musical language.

Trios

Musical Escapade "A.W.O.L" (1943)

Orchestra, Band

Our Canada: Music for Radio No. 1 (1943)

Our Canada: Music for Radio is a three movement suite which uses the incidental music John Weinzweig wrote for the radio series Our Canada which ran on the CBC from Novemeber 1942- January 1943. It appeared in the tenth episode of the series, entitled "The Arts Grow Up," which featured Canadian compositions. 

Chamber Ensembles

Fanfare (1943, Revised 1963)

Weinzweig decided Fanfare to the “defenders of Stalingrad and Leningrad,” who in 1943, were fighting hard against Nazi Germany and its allies.
Fanfare is typical of its genre, as it is a short work for brass (and optional percussion) that displays what Edward H. Tarr calls “a ceremonial flourish.”

Orchestra, Band

Band-Hut Sketches, No. 1 and 2 (1944)

Weinzweig composed Band-Hut Sketches during his time working for the RCAF. The work is comprised of contrasting sections, each consisting of short motives that are repeated with subtle alterations. Weinzweig’s humour is apparent, even in these short concert band movements. The consonance and vigour of a traditional “reveille” is here filled with dissonance (i.e., the tritone!), while the dwindling performers at the end of “Parade” suggest an unsuccessful marching demonstration.

Orchestra, Band

Prelude to a New Day: March (1944)

Prelude to a New Day was comissioned by the CBC to celebrate the end of the war. 

Voices

To the Lands Over Yonder (1945)

Based on the melody and translated text of a Copper Inuit dance-song, To the Lands Over Yonder largely focuses on a dialogue between two main groupings: male voices and female voices in unison and octave doubling. The texture becomes more complex near the end as all voices repeat “to the lands over yonder” and break into a brief passage of four-part harmony.