Karl Sievers, Reporter
On opening night of the 2002 ITG International Conference, delegates were treated to a wonderful display of contemporary solo trumpet works accompanied by the very fine student musicians of the Wind Orchestra of the Royal Northern College of Music. Conducting privileges alternated between James Gourlay and Timothy Reynish.
Opening the concert was John Hagstrom playing the world premiere of Larry Bitensky’s Awake, you Sleepers! This work is scored for full wind orchestra with piano. Mr. Hagstrom introduced the work by demonstrating (on a real shofar) three traditional shofar calls, explaining that the three sections of the work were built on these motives. This work is modal tonally, and exotic and rhapsodic in style. It also shows a certain jazz influence, reminiscent of Bernstein. There were many meter changes in this highly technical work, and Hagstrom employed the Whispa and straight mutes to add various sonorities. Kudos to all of the young musicians, but especially for the fine solo work in the clarinet. Hagstrom did a superb job conveying this lyrical, yet highly technical piece to the audience, demonstrating an elegant tonal palette from warm to brilliant.
David Guerrier’s performance of the Jolivet Concerto No. 2 was next on the program. This well-known piece is written for solo trumpet, and a heterogeneous ensemble of woodwinds, percussion, trombone, harp, and piano. Again, jazz influences and exoticism were evident in this work. Guerrier’s facile technique, velvety delivery, and beautiful tone were a perfect fit for this piece. He deftly handled its broad range of musical requirements; demonstrating frenetic, exciting playing in the first movement, warmth and intimacy in the second, and all the bombast required of the third. Again, a wonderful performance by all,
ITG commissioned Dana Wilson to write Leader Lieder. This evening’s world premiere was performed by soloist James Thompson and the full RNCM Wind Orchestra, with piano and harp. Wilson introduced his piece, explaining its connection to the events of 9/11. He stated that the tragic events surrounding 9/11 illustrated our need for and dependence upon leaders. He developed this idea into the thought that musically, the trumpet is a natural leader and therefore is perfect for this role in a musical solo setting. Movement one where the leader emerges through the texture. Movement two shows the warmth which any good leader must have, being soulful and intimate in nature, and movement three is set in an atmosphere of dialogue without order until the leader (solo trumpet) is reintroduced, at which point order returns. The work is tied together formally with a walking bass line from movement one, which returns in movement three as the soloist reappears. This piece shows a great deal of jazz influence, is very angular technically, and requires great facility with multiple tonguing. Thompson did a fabulous job, using plunger, harmon, cup, and straight mutes to complement his world class command of the instrument and broad tonal spectrum.
Finally, the audience enjoyed Martin Winter’s performance of Richard Rodney Bennett’s Concerto for Trumpet and Wind Orchestra. Winter was the only soloist to use the Bb trumpet this evening, and also used harmon and straight mutes. This piece was distinct from the others in that the jazz influence present was reserved for the middle of three sections. At this point Winter used the harmon mute close to a microphone, and even the lights were dimmed when the texture went to soloist with jazz combo. This middle movement was framed by highly technical playing on either end. Winter gave an absolutely terrific demonstration of artistic commitment to beauty of sound, displaying an elegant, sparkling tone in all contexts, regardless of extremes in dynamics or register, both of which this piece contains in abundance. He showed an easy ownership of a very difficult work.
In closing, it must be stressed that the young artists accompanying the soloists did an outstanding job this evening. Each of these works presented challenges to every individual in the Wind Orchestra, each work was highly contrapuntal and rhythmically complex, and the members of the RNMC handled it all with poised, professional artistry. Bravo to all
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Trumpet Prelude
University of Southern Mississippi Trumpet Ensemble
Director : Joel Treybig
Chris Collinsworth, Amon Eady, Brad Snow, Clint Spell, Jake Walburn, Ben Wetherbee
Handel arr. Haas - Overture to "The Water Music" (Suite No. 2)
Friedman - Antiphonia IV
Programme
Larry Bitensky – “Awake, you Sleepers!” (Concerto for Trumpet and Wind Orchestra) (World Premiere) – soloist - John Hagstrom
Andre Jolivet – 2nd Concerto – soloist - David Guerrier
Dana Wilson – Leader Lieder (World Premiere) - soloist - James Thompson
Richard Rodney Bennett – Concerto – soloist - Martin Winter
i) Declamato, Allegro, Presto
ii) “Elegy For Miles” Lento / segue Vivo
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David Guerrier
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James Thompson
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Martin Winter
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John Hagstrom
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