MU Faculty Brass Quintet - just ahead of the security - in Red Square (see text)

In September 2005 the Faculty Brass Quintet from the University of Missouri School of Music, together with the pianist Natalia Bolshakova, was invited to present several recitals and clinics in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The first recital, held at the Moscow Military Music College, was warmly received by the cadets and the faculty. The first half of the recital opened with an arrangement of Sergei Prokofiev’s March. Then each member of the ensemble performed a solo with piano: Iskander Akhmadullin played the first movement of Allen Vizzutti’s Sonata No.1. Our Teaching Assistant, Brett Nelson presented Alexander Goedicke’s Concert Etude in Robert Nagel’s version for the brass quintet. The second half of the program was all-American, with original compositions by Cheetham, Stevens and Turner, as well as transcriptions of Copland and Ellington.

Following the concert, there was a long question and answer session. The students showed a lot of interest in finding out about the differences between American and Russian educational systems, repertoire, choices of instruments, and many other topics. A very special reception was given in honor of the American guests. A little tip: Russian colonels have great stamina and can drink large amounts of vodka and cognac; it is not advised to try keeping up with them.

The Brass Quintet gave two more recitals in Moscow’s legendary musical institutions: at the beautiful Rachmaninov Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and at the Chamber Recital Hall of the Gnessin Academy of Music, where Timofei Dokshizer taught for almost 40 years, succeeding his teacher Mikhail Tabakov. A slightly different program with more patriotic tunes, as well as the classical and jazzy arrangements, was presented at the US Embassy.

Each faculty member also gave a master-class at the Moscow Conservatory. Many thanks go to Professors Vadim Novikov (Moscow Conservatory), Vyacheslav Prokopov (Gnessin Academy), and Ahat Samadov (Military Music College).

Our appearance at the Mussorgsky Music College in St. Petersburg was arranged by the legendary Veniamin Margolin, Professor of Trumpet at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, former Principal Trumpet with the Leningrad Philharmonic. Maestro Margolin complimented the group for its well-balanced and tasteful sound, choices of pieces, and witty remarks introducing each musical selection.

In the picture: Angelo Manzo, Brett Nelson, Marcia Spence, Iskander Akhmadullin, and Troy Marsh on the Red Square in front of the St. Basil Cathedral. We were lucky to get this picture: soon afterwards we were approached by a security agent who told us that we had to leave because we didn’t have special permission to take pictures with the instruments in Red Square!

 

Websites:
University of Missouri School of Music
Moscow Conservatory (Russian and English)
Gnessin Academy of Music (Russian and English)