On the evening of December 4, 2007, Richard Steffen premiered Anthony Plog’s Contemplations for flugelhorn and wind ensemble with the Austin Peay State University Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Gregory Wolynec. The piece was commissioned from Plog by a group of Austin Peay alumni and the APSU Department of Bands in recognition of Steffen’s 25th year at the university. The concert took place in the University’s Music/Mass Communication Concert Hall.

Anthony Plog writes, “Contemplations is, as its name implies, in essence a reflective and contemplative piece. As such, the solo voice is written for flugelhorn rather than trumpet, as the sound of the flugelhorn is less aggressive, warmer and darker than that of a trumpet. Even though the overall mood of the piece is one of contemplation, there are times when this mood changes to one of agitation and even nervousness.”

The beautifully-scored work was certainly well-received by the audience, but what made this performance truly special was the fact that the soloist was unaware that he was premiering a work that was actually written for him! Soon after accepting the commission, Plog told his long-time friend that he had received a commission to write a piece “for a German virtuoso” and asked Steffen if he would be willing to perform it with the APSU Wind Ensemble as it neared completion. After the performance Steffen, Plog and Wolynec returned to the stage where APSU alumnus Ped Foster, who organized the commission, presented Steffen with gifts from the alums. Assuming his moment in the spotlight was over, Steffen attempted to exit the stage when Plog took to the microphone to inform him and the audience of the deception! In his characteristically brief remarks, Steffen thanked his former teacher, John Haynie, and his own students for making his career at APSU such a pleasure. It was fitting then that the final surprise of the evening was a phone call from Haynie that Steffen received backstage before joining a reception with a score of alumni who were surreptitiously in attendance.

Steffen’s friends and students would like to thank Gregory Wolynec, the APSU Department of Bands, the APSU Department of Music and the alumni for making this event possible, adding a special note of gratitude to Ped Foster to pulling it all together, and to Anthony Plog for composing a wonderful tribute to a great artist, teacher, and gentleman.

Links:
Richard Steffen
Anthony Plog
Department of Music, Austin Peay State University
APSU music blog for this concert