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Recital: Boosey & Hawkes Commissions Collection John Irish, Reporter
introduction to the audience commenting that today’s concert is the fruit of five year’s work by the ITG Commissioning Committee comprised of Dunnick, Carroll, and Wallace. The commissions ranged from easy to difficult in hopes of reaching the widest possible cross section of the trumpet-playing world. These works are available in a collection published by Boosey & Hawkes under the title, Go Blow Your Own. Carroll added that the thrust of the commissions project was to provide a lyrical, singing repertoire in which each piece was about 2-3 minutes in duration. One interesting aspect as a result of these commissions is how each composer conceives of the trumpet as an instrument capable of lyricism. Paul Moravec’s Quintessence, a piece for five trumpets, was performed movement by movement at various points throughout the concert. It is a work in four movements, the first serving as an introduction to the performance. The fourth movement closed the concert, and the middle two movements were interspersed during the course of the concert. The work is an exciting blend of modern sonorities and techniques. The first provided a brooding interplay within the quintet. Filled with harmonic and rhythmic intensity, the second movement’s tone clusters and wide chords offered an exciting sound. The third movement featured a softer, slower, more contemplative sound. Quintessence’s final movement featured an engaging array of rhythms, chords, and articulations, which brought the piece to a sparkling, energetic close. Carroll introduced the second movement from Sonata, entitled “Melody with Echo” by Robin Holloway, an English composer. Wallace was heard from the back of the hall providing the echo to Carroll’s melody. This movement was originally conceived for solo trumpet but was later rewritten for two players.
H.K. Gruber’s Exposed Throat provided a unique glimpse into the multitude of sounds available from the trumpet. Wallace performed this commission written for trumpet alone. In addition to being a very contemporary piece for trumpet with difficult intervals and extended range, the player’s own throat gets into the act (as the title suggests) through the use of multi-phonics. Removal of a valve slide, hand muting (wa-wa), flutter/growl effects, glissandi, foot stomping (including a brief “stomp” solo), and the bending of pitches add interesting, non-traditional sounds to this demanding new work. Cries and Whispers by Ned Rorem is a work for trumpet and piano. Performed beautifully by Najoom and O’Neill, it starts with slow, dramatic dialogue between the two players (Cries). A lyrical section follows with the muted trumpet providing an eloquent, understated mood (Whispers). Maxwell Davies’ Fanfare for Lowry for four trumpets was performed antiphonally with two players in front and two in the balcony. Beginning in an accessible, fanfare-like manner, it evolved into a pair of duets and ended on a widely spaced chord, the short piece was warmly received. Edward Carroll performed David Horne’s Elegy. A slow, lyrical opening was heard within the context of this contemporary work. The work featured a busy, piano accompaniment and utilized some extended techniques. Elegy remained true to the mood suggested in its title and was performed with sensitivity, control, and emotion by Carroll. Jonathan Lloyd’s Go Blow Your Own for two trumpets, performed by Najoom and Price, started with a call and response effect with the two playing from opposite sides of the stage. As the piece unfolded they moved to the center, and played lines written in a more contrapuntal manner before moving back to the spatial arrangement ending the work across from one another. Salm Dewi Sant, by Karl Jenkins is one of the more accessible works in the commission project. Performed wonderfully by a young trumpeter
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Trumpet Prelude
(click here for review) Eastern Kentucky University Trumpet Ensemble Sphere ................................................. Richard Bromley Dr. Jonathan Martin, Director Members Andrea Adams, Phillip Johnson, Denver Dill, Becky Ledden, Pat Price, Darrell Logan, Mary Ray Program Quintessence........................................... Paul Moravec Sonata............................................................ Robin Holloway Exposed Throat....................................................... H.K. Gruber Quintessence .................................................. Paul Moravec Cries and Whispers...................................................... Ned Rorem Fanfare for Lowry................................................... Maxwell Davies Elegy................................................................ David Horne Quintessence .............................................. Paul Moravec Go Blow Your Own..................................... Jonathan Lloyd Salm O Dewi Sant............................................. Karl Jenkins Quintessence ............................................. Paul Moravec |
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from Ithaca, Danielle Koplinka-Loehr, wonderful lyricism of the piece is a welcome addition to the repertoire. Danielle’s performance of this ballad received a warm ovation from the appreciative audience.
ITG’s membership was fortunate to hear a stimulating concert devoted entirely to new works for trumpet. Thanks go out to the ITG’s Commissioning Committee for the important work undertaken to expand the repertoire in several areas and levels of trumpet performance, and for presenting the results of this project in such a successful setting.