Amilcare Ponchielli was an Italian composer best known for his opera La Gioconda, which remains a staple of the operatic repertoire. He studied and later taught at the Milan Conservatory, where he influenced a generation of composers, including Giacomo Puccini. Ponchielli's music is admired for its expressive melodies, colorful orchestration, and dramatic vitality. Il Convegno is a charming chamber work by Ponchielli that reflects his gift for lyrical melody and graceful musical conversation. Written originally for two clarinets and chamber orchestra, it is most frequently performed with a piano accompaniment. Here it has been arranged by Matt Johnston for accompaniment by a concert band, which received it's premiere on July 11, 2026 at the International Clarinet Association's ClarinetFest in Incheon, South Korea.

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Instrumentation

• Solo Clarinet 1
• Solo Clarinet 2

• Flute 1, 2
• Oboe 1, 2
• Bassoon 1, 2
• Clarinet 1, 2, 3
• Bass Clarinet
• Contrabass/Contralto Clarinet 
• Alto Saxophone 1, 2 
• Tenor Saxophone 
• Baritone Saxophone 

• Trumpet 1, 2 
• Horn 1, 2
• Trombone 1, 2
• Euphonium (BC and TC)  
• Tuba 

• Timpani
• Percussion (Snare Drum, Bass Drum)