The Musica Nova Chamber Series

in partnership with Arts on the Desert

presents the ASU Trombone Studio

Brad Edwards, director

 

2 pm. Nov. 17

Saint Anthony on the Desert

 

Part One: Chamber Groups

Terzetti                                                                      Vladislav Blazhevich (1881-1942)

I. Allegro moderato

II. Moderato

Mogollon Rim Trio

Kristian Bailes, Vincent Quintana, Matias Teillet

 

Funeral March                                                   Edvard Grieg (1843–1907), arr. Bruce Chrisp

The Kanab Plateau Quartet

Hugh Findley, Michael Thompson, Robby Pawloski, RJ Sudduth

 

Suite                                                                        Flor Peeters (1903-1986)

I. Entrata

II. Final

Vermillion Cliffs Quartet

Garrett Parnaby, Alex Skelton, Carson Webster, Wendy Ostaszewski

 

Dream                                                                       Soichi Kanagaya (b.1949)

I. Fall Asleep

II. Dream which is pursued by something

Painted Desert Quartet

Alyson Johnson, Ashley Rands, Holden Welch, Jonah Brabant

 

INTERMISSION

 

Part Two: The ASU Trombone Choir

Celestial Fanfare                                               Frank Gulino (b.1987)

Hugh Findley, conductor

 

Sunrise Over Frost and Fog                           David Faleris (b. 1982)

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Sea Drift                                                                Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912), arr. Decker

Ashley Rands, conductor

 

Adagio from Rhapsody, Op. 53                     Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), arr. Edwards

Holden Welch, conductor

 

Diversion                                                               Fisher Tull (1934-1994)

Alyson Johnson, conductor

 

Inveni David                                                         Anton Bruckner (1824-1896), arr. Yeo

Jonah Brabant, conductor

 

 

Program notes by Brad Edwards

A mass of trombones playing together? Sounds crazy, right?? Actually, there’s a long tradition of this. Trombone choirs have performed in places like Germany for centuries. Bach used trombones to double the voice parts in many of his cantatas. Some versions of the Mozart Requiem do that same thing including a solo part for a trombonist in one movement.

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In this varied program, members of ASU Trombone Studio will start with chamber groups and finish with a mass trombone choir! Here are some quick notes about the pieces you’ll hear today.

 

Part One: Chamber Groups

We’re starting with Terzetti by Vladislav Blazhevich. His name is well known to (and feared by) trombonists everywhere because of his challenging studies teaching tenor and alto clef. This trio will play two movements including one in the odd time signature of 11/4!

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Next up is an arrangement of the powerful Funeral March by Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg. He composed this piece for his dear friend, Rikard Nordraak, who died at the tender age of 23.

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The Belgian composer, Flor Peeters, wrote this for trombone quartet (not an arrangement!). The youngest of 11 children, Peeters wrote a large number of works for organ.

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Our last chamber group will perform two movements from a newer work, Soichi Kanagaya’s Dream. This quartet is planning to record this work for an international competition.

 

Part Two: The ASU Trombone Choir

Celestial Fanfare, Frank Gulino

Our first trombone choir piece will bowl you over. It is a jubilant fanfare with overtones of the Superman theme by composer/lawyer/bass trombonist, Frank Gulino.

 

Sunrise Over Frost and Fog, David Faleris

(Notes from the composer) Inspiration for Sunrise Over Frost and Fog came from my early morning daily commute between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland. On many mornings during the cold and dark winter months, the view outside the train window presented a frosty white ground with a tranquil fog stretching across rolling hills and still lochs. Throughout the countryside journey, I’d get to watch the sun rise and burn away the frost and fog.

 

Sea Drift, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Originally written for male choir (“A Rhapsody for Eight Voices”) with a libretto by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, this tells the tragic tale of a young woman standing by the sea during a furious storm waiting for her true love who is out at sea:

 

See where she stands, on the wet sea-sands,

Looking across the water:

Wild is the night, but wilder still

The face of the fisher's daughter.

 

It would appear the young man came to a bad ending as the pieces ends with these lyrics:

 

Still she stands on the wet sea-sands;

The morning breaks above her,

And the corpse of a sailor gleams on the rocks --

What if it were her lover?

 

Adagio, Johannes Brahms

This lovely piece, originally written for solo voice and orchestra ,makes the best use of Brahms’ rich sonorous harmonies.

 

Diversion, Fisher Tull

This fairly intense work by a Texas-based composer will push the players to their limits. Changing meters, modern effects, and strident harmonies will keep you on your toes.

Inveni David, Bruckner

This powerful piece, originally written for a dual ensemble of voices and trombones, sets the text of Psalm 88:

 

I have found David, my servant;

I have anointed him with my holy oil;

For my hand shall aid him

and my arm shall strengthen him.

Alleluia.