PROGRAM
NOTES
24 October 2008 Concert
AMERICAN SALUTE
Based on “When Johnny Comes Marching
Home”
Morton Gould (1913-1996)
Morton
Gould was born in Richmond Hill, NY, and attended the New York Institute of
Musical Art in addition to his private studies in composition and piano. As a
teenager he played piano in movie and vaudeville theaters; throughout his long
career he composed Broadway and film scores as well as orchestral concert
pieces. He won many commissions and awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for
music in 1995.
Gould
was one of a group of American composers, spearheaded by Aaron Copland, who, in
the words of music critic Alex Ross, “seemed to be writing almost with one
voice. Fast movements jumped along with jazzy syncopations; slow movements
cried out plaintively in empty spaces. Scoring was brassy and brilliant” (The
Rest is Noise, 2007). This description fits American Salute, which
was based on a Civil War popular song first published in 1863. Gould wrote his
version in 1943, and it became one of his most beloved compositions. He
attended a performance of this work by the U.S. Military Academy Concert Band
the night before he died.
Toni
Empringham
CONCERTO FOR TRUMPET
James Covell
The
initial inspiration for this work began in fifth grade when I was first
introduced to the trumpet. I was fascinated with the instrument because of its
strength of character and ability to be intimate as well. The band Chicago, Doc
Severinsen, Herb Alpert, and the wealth of film music I was exposed to through
the years led to me to write and perform my earliest
arrangements
for the trumpet. The Sonata for Trumpet by Halsey Stevens, who was a mentor to
my mentors, and Jolivet’s Concerto for Trumpet, were later inspirations.
My
daily work as a composer for film at times ends in some frustration because, as
the famous composer Jerry Goldsmith was known to quip at the end of his
recording sessions, “Well, this will all sound very nice underneath the sound
effects!” So when a friend of mine--Mark Gould, the principal trumpet in the
New York Metropolitan Opera--suggested I write a work for trumpet, I jumped at
the opportunity. I wanted to challenge the constraints of
the
instrument and highlight all that I appreciate about it. In tonality and rhythm
I’ve sought to push outward, yet remain in the “listenable zone.” In the
orchestration, I have chosen to contrast the trumpet with only the string
orchestra and percussion, giving me the opportunity, in the concerto format, to
make comparisons and contrasts all the more vibrant.
As
to my creative spark, here I defer to Stravinsky, who would bluntly say about
his innovations “Only God can create. I make music from music.” Soli Deo
Gloria.
James
Covell
A MEMORY OF MARIANNE (1960-2006)
Matt Doran
As the title suggests,
this work is a tribute to Dr. Doran’s daughter, who died of cancer in 2006. In
his own words, “The composition is built around two themes in the form of ABABA
Coda. It is short, like Marianne’s life. It begins with violins in two-part
counterpoint, leads to another section in clarinet and strings, and builds to
several climactic points leading to a coda based on the first theme. The last
four notes are in the flute, the instrument I taught her and which she played
very well--until the onslaught of cancer. These notes say to me, ‘My Marianne.’
“
FOUR DANCES FROM RODEO
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
Born in Brooklyn, Aaron Copland received his early music
education in New York. In the summer of 1921, he enrolled in the newly established
American Conservatory in France and found additional tutelage in Paris under
the renowned composition teacher Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979). He returned
to America in 1924 and immediately engaged himself in all aspects of American
musical life. He conducted, performed, taught and wrote about music, but
above all, he composed. Copland’s compositions encompass all
genres: he wrote music not only for the concert hall, but also for the
stage, cinema, radio and television, and the quintessential “Americana” style
can be heard in many of his compositions.
Copland's
ballet Rodeo (1942) uses a fair sampling of cowboy tunes serving as a
showcase for Agnes de Mille's choreography. Copland had to be persuaded to
follow his Billy the Kid (1938) with a work that would seem to be mined
from the same vein. However, Rodeo hit even more pay dirt than its
cowboy predecessor as far as popularity is concerned. The arrangement of
"Four Dance Episodes" from the longer ballet has seemed a natural,
with lively outer movements setting off the soothing "Corral
Nocturne" and "Saturday Night Waltz," in which, in the original
ballet, a variant of "Old Paint" (and a new dress) allow de Mille's
tomboy prima ballerina to win herself a place on the dance floor. The familiar
"Hoe-Down" also uses familiar tunes ("Bonyparte" and
"McLeod's Reel") in an exciting alternation that breaks mood only for
the moment when the tomboy Cowgirl finally wins her kiss from the head
Wrangler.
The
melodic content of these dances is highly derivative; Copland referred to a
book of cowboy tunes for his thematic materials. However, the treatment is
“Coplandized,” exhibiting frequent use of dominant harmonies and melody
superimposed over a tonic bass, to make them unmistakably his own.
Bill
Malcolm
BARRY BRISK Music Director and Conductor Barry
Brisk first appeared in public at the age of 14, when he conducted selections
from South Pacific at his graduation from Webster Junior High School in
West Los Angeles. As a student he also conducted the orchestra at University
High School, Mount St. Mary’s College, and the University of Music (formerly
Academy of Music) in Vienna, Austria, where he studied with the prominent
conductor/teacher Hans Swarowsky. Professionally, Brisk has conducted many
orchestras in Southern California, as well as in Mexico and Austria. Music
Director of the Beach Cities Symphony since 1994, Maestro Brisk is particularly
proud of having expanded the orchestra’s repertoire. In his first 14 years he has
repeated only one composition. He has conducted 173 works by 75 composers, 11
of whom are living. Looking forward to its 60th anniversary season next year,
the orchestra has commissioned him to compose a piece to be performed at the
January 2010 concert. Maestro
Brisk’s wife, Cathy, is an internationally recognized expert on ancient Greek
coins. Their son, Philip, is doing postdoctoral work in computer science at the
Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Philip’s wife, Marilyn, will
receive her master’s degree in political science from the University of
Lausanne in June 2009. JOHN CATHER Trumpet Soloist John
Cather plays trumpet, trombone, and tuba as a freelance artist throughout
Southern California and is a regular artist for numerous bands and orchestras,
including several of his own groups. He specializes in Renaissance and Baroque
music as played on authentic instruments, including the Baroque trumpet,
cornetto, and sackbut. He began playing with the Beach Cities Symphony in 1974
and last soloed with the orchestra in 2004 in the Concerto for Trumpet and
Orchestra by Alexander Arutunian. Mr.
Cather started playing trumpet at age seven. He was first taught by his father
and mentor, George Cather, who was an accomplished trombone player and music
teacher, and also one of the founding members of the Beach Cities Symphony.
John later studied with James Stamp; Juilliard professor Raymond Mase; Dr.
Edward Tarr of Basel, Switzerland; and Donald Green, Ralph Sauer, and Jeffrey
Reynolds of the L.A. Philharmonic among others. He has worked in the recording
and film industries and teaches modern and ancient brass instruments in
Manhattan Beach and Long Beach. He also teaches at schools, workshops, and
clinics. JAMES COVELL Composer James
Covell graduated with a degree in Music Composition from USC, where he studied
composition with Morten Lauridsen and James Hopkins and counterpoint with
Donald Crockett. He has since been composing, conducting, and arranging for the
stage and screen. Mr. Covell has written, recorded and conducted for numerous
feature films, including scores with the London Symphony Orchestra. In the
concert hall his works have been performed by respected national orchestras,
including the Colorado Symphony. He contributed songs to the hit stage musical Yearbook,
The High School Musical, which has been performed across the country.
Currently he is composing for an animated series entitled Mixed Nutz,
and for a healthy alternative, his music is featured extensively on the Veria
cable channel. His more than 20 CDs and scores can be found on iTunes, CD
Baby, and on his website at http://JamesCovell.com.
Mr. Covell lives in Valley Village, California, with his wife and their two
sons: Christopher, age 17, and 13-year-old Cameron. Mr.
Covell will be a guest speaker at the 7:30 p.m. Young Audience Preview Lecture
in the upstairs lobby and will be attending this performance. MATT DORAN Composer Matt
Doran, who was born in Covington, Kentucky, studied flute and composition at
USC (B.M. 1947, DMA 1953), where he was a pupil of Ernst Tock, Gail Kubik, and
Hanns Eisler. He has taught at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas; Ball
State College in Muncie, Indiana; and Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles,
where Music Director Barry Brisk was one of his students. Dr.
Doran has written four symphonies, two chamber symphonies, and numerous
concertos for flute, horn, piano, cello, and marimba. He has also written two
double concertos: one for flute, guitar, and strings, and one for piano, flute,
and strings. His instrumental music makes much use of the flute; he has also
composed for oboe, clarinet, bassoon, double bassoon, viola, harp, piano, and
organ. His vocal compositions include two oratorios; To the Moon for
soprano, horn, and piano; and Three Sonnets (after Shakespeare) for
soprano and flute. Dr.
Doran and his wife, Therese, live in Vancouver, Washington. Now retired from college
teaching, he continues to give flute and piano lessons and to compose. His
concerto for trombone and his fifth symphony will be premièred in 2009.
BCSA 2008 Scholarship
Contest Winner Jeff Mohan is a 9th
grader at Mira Costa High School. His
interest in music began at 2 years old in his pre-school Music Rhapsody class
and continued with Music Rhapsody, playing the recorder from 1st
grade through 7th grade. In
4th grade, he began playing the alto saxophone and added the
baritone and tenor in the Young Musicians’ Performance Academy Big Band, where
he performed jazz and big band music in venues such as the Lighthouse in
Hermosa Beach and the Disney Concert Hall Keck Amphitheater. In spring of 6th grade he was
asked by the Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) band director to play the
bassoon. By 7th grade, he
played the bassoon in the MBMS Symphonic Band, the Mira Costa High School (MCHS) Symphony Orchestra, and the South Bay
Youth Orchestra, which offered him the opportunity to perform in Ireland. Jeff began teaching himself the trumpet in
December of 7th grade and played first chair trumpet in the MBMS
Symphonic Band during his 8th grade year. As of September 2008, Jeff
is a first trumpet player in the MCHS Marching Band, a trumpet player in the
MCHS Wind Ensemble, and continues to play bassoon for the MCHS Symphony
Orchestra, which is scheduled to perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in
June 2009. Jeff enjoys challenging
himself musically, and has just begun teaching a young trumpet player. He is honored to receive this Beach Cities
Symphony Scholarship, and appreciates all his music teachers and band/orchestra
directors for their wonderful instruction and opportunities they have afforded
him, especially his bassoon teacher and inspiration, Melody. With the proceeds from this scholarship,
Jeff is purchasing bassoon reed making tools to further his bassoon career.