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2005 INTERNATIONAL TRUMPET GUILD® CONFERENCE
GRAND HOTEL BANGKOK, BANGKOK, THAILAND TUESDAY – FRIDAY, JUNE 21 – 24, 2005 |
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Thursday, June 23
Kevin Eisensmith, reporter The Western Brass Quintet is comprised of the brass faculty at Western Michigan University. In existence for 40 years, this is the quintet’s fourth appearance at an ITG Conference. The WBQ opened their Thursday afternoon performance with Songs and Dances, a Their second selection, Games for Brass, was written by Curtis Curtis-Smith in honor of the 100th anniversary of Western Michigan University. Originally in three movements, the composer added a fourth and final movement after hearing the premier performance, deciding that he “wasn’t finished” composing. All four movements were aptly named; “Fast Moves” featured rapid, loud tutti passages separated by quiet, sustained chords. “Intertwined” utilized mutes effectively, creating a tight sound with tight harmonies. There was also a hint of a jazzy, ragtime feel. That jazzy feeling was even more prevalent in the third movement, entitled “Charades.” At times almost a “free-for-all,” there was a sensation of lines being improvised throughout the ensemble. The final movement, “Endgame,” with its bossa-nova like section, reminded me of the second movement of Malcolm Arnold’s Quintet. In all, this was a most exciting and demanding piece
For their final work, the WBQ performed Richard Peaslee’s Distant Dancing. Peaslee is best known to trumpet players for his composition titled Nightsongs. This multi-sectioned, rambling piece is more contemporary, suggesting many different dance styles and utilizing “wind sounds” (players blowing air through their instruments) throughout as a kind of unifying figure. The Western Brass Quintet is not just another “academic” brass chamber ensemble; their performance was equal to that of any “professional” brass quintet. This is a superb group and they presented an exciting program.
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Prelude Songs and Dances - John Dowland (1562-1626) |
medley of six works by Renaissance composer John Dowland arranged in two movements by tubist Robert Whaley. Reminiscent of Giles Farnaby’s Fancies, Toyes, and Dreames, this piece featured highly florid and virtuosic playing from all five members. Trumpeters Steve Jones and Scott Thornburg switched effortlessly from piccolo trumpets to C trumpets and back. In his comments following the piece, Thornburg said that it is a goal of the quintet to “find interesting old music and to find interesting ways to present that music.” This was certainly accomplished in this arrangement!
