His third symphony, Circus Maximus (2004) is a sonorous and visceral work that includes three ensembles: one full symphonic band on stage, a smaller wind ensemble surrounding the audience, and a marching band. It takes inspiration from the Roman arena of the same name where 300,000 spectators gathered for chariot races, hunts, battles, and other amusement. The overall shape of the symphony was made to symbolize the “massive and glamorous barbarity” of the Roman Circus Maximus and of entertainment in our own time.
It was commissioned by the The University of Texas at Austin School of Music and premiered on February 16, 2005 by the U.T. Wind Ensemble at Austin with Jerry F. Junkin, conducting at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, Texas. It has gone on to receive numerous other performances. Below is a performance, with a talk by Corigliano, by the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble with Mallory Thompson conducting at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston, Illinois on May 14, 2010.
"Circus Maximus" talk by Corigliano, Part 1 of 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_GDdV3Dwns
"Circus Maximus" performance, Part 2 of 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxkZDGjTml4
"Circus Maximus" performance, Part 3 of 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkpEQv_sMQg
"Circus Maximus" performance, Part 4 of 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNhS1osvpcI
