Play Thom Sleeper’s Concerto No. 2, World Premiere, Below
The Florida Atlantic University Orchestra, under the baton of Dr. Laura Joella, is set to feature bass trombonist David William Brubeck in the world premiere of Thomas Sleeper’s latest concerto for bass trombone. “Sleeper is a major composer who also happens to play the bass trombone, so it is no surprise that the work is riveting”, comments Brubeck. The trio have collaborated before, as Sleeper provided a world premiere transcription of Six Arias for FAU, Joella and Brubeck. This latest project is even more ambitious, as the composer set out with the conductor, the ensemble and the soloist in mind at the inception.
“The work is intensely visceral”, comments Brubeck, “and features shifting rhythmic accents and syncopation amidst a confluence of polyrhythms and soaring lyricism.” The three movement work is Sleeper’s second concerto for his native instrument-the bass trombone, and taken along with his first concerto for bass trombone and the transcription of “Six Arias”, establishes Sleeper as one of the most significant composers for the instrument.
Set in three movements, I. Allegro-Lento-Allegro II. Adagio III. Allegro-Adagio Moroso Subito-Allegro, the work is unified by completeness and contrast. Each of the outer movements stands alone, and the second movement is at once understated and yet profoundly satisfying.
“Hauntingly Mysterious”, “Richly Lyrica”, “Soaring Melodie” – all phrases used to describe the music of Thomas M. Sleeper. His output includes 13 operas, fourteen concerti, five symphonies, four orchestral song cycles, works for chorus with orchestra, band, wind ensembles, three string quartets, numerous other vocal and instrumental chamber works and music for film. Sleeper has developed a unique compositional voice whose vocabulary is clearly from, but not limited to, this century-adapted from sleepermusic.com
c. 2016 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved. www.davidbrubeck.com
Listen/Watch “Ascensionis Mariae”, World Premiere
Music in Miami’s Winter Solstice Concert (Trinity Cathedral, Miami-Sunday 15 December 2013 at 6:00 pm), is slated to host the world premiere of Ascensionis Mariae (The Ascension of Mary), a two-movement sacred work for live processed bass trombone and video overlay. The work, showcasing the bass trombone’s expressive power and reverent melodious tone, was written for Dr. David Brubeck, a Miami-based virtuoso bass trombonist. The bass trombone, which is the only sound source in Ascensionis, is sampled and processed in real-time by Max/MSP applications designed to turn the sounds of a solo performer into a diverse assemblage of sonorities. The first movement, entitled “Lamento Pro Maria” is a guided improvisation that draws inspiration from vocal traditions of the Near East and plainchant. The second movement, an ascending crab canon, was inspired by medieval polyphony.
The video overlay was constructed from two images, which were composited together to evoke the expressive, yet reverent, characters of both movements. The first image was a vintage photograph of a statuette of the Virgin Marry from La Capilla de Belen (The Chapel of Bethlehem) in Marianao, Cuba. The second image was that of a living tree and a drying fallen tree. The composite of the fallen tree and of the statuette, mirroring the lamenting character of the music, will be projected over the performer in the first movement. The composite of the living tree and the statuette, mirroring the triumphant character of the music, will be projected over the performer in the second movement.
Dr. Liza Seigido is a Miami-based composer, performer, music-educator, and founding director of “Kendall Sound Arts”-a monthly new music concert series hosted in West Kendall Regional Library. Liza is an alumna of New World School of the Arts, Florida International University and the University of Miami. She is a founding member of “Fridamusiqâ”a Miami-based avant-garde improvisational ensemble, and is currently teaching at Miami Dade College and the Superior Academy of Music. Her music has been performed across the United States and in Prague, Czech Republic.
c. 2013 Liza Seigido
Images appear courtesy of Liza Seigido
Thomas Sleeper’s Six Arias for Bass Trombone and Orchestra is scheduled to receive its debut performance in concert with the Florida Atlantic University Symphony Orchestra on Thursday evening, November 21st of 2013 at 7:00 pm under the baton of Dr. Laura Joella and featuring bass trombone soloist David William Brubeck.
Originally scored for tenor and orchestra, the Six Arias have been transcribed for cello and now bass trombone. Sleeper, a noted composer, conductor and a Professor of Music at the University of Miami, is himself a bass trombonist and has composed the Arias based on texts from author Ernest Hemingway.
Recording below:
Thomas Sleeper’s Six Arias for Bass Trombone and Orchestra
Chopin Scherzo and Largo, live at UM Gusman Hall in 1992. Linda Byrd, piano with bass trombonist David Brubeck.
SCHERZO
ADAGIO
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Elizabeth Raum’s Concerto for Bass Trombone is set to take center stage on Saturday
the 16th of November, as The Greater Miami Symphonic Band (GMSB) presents its United States premiere. The program is scheduled for 8:00 pm in Gusman Concert Hall on the Coral Gables Campus of the University of Miami. The GMSB, under the baton of Robert Longfield, will perform the work alongside bass trombone soloist, David William Brubeck.
“Along with Canticles by Johan de Meij, I believe Elizabeth Raum’s Concerto to be the future standard for collegiate and young professional bass trombonists,” cites Brubeck. “It is accesible, and demonstrates an intimate knowledge of the bass trombone using its many colors and capabilities to their full advantage. The accompaniment paints varied tonal and appealing vistas which seduce the listener, as the protaganistic theme is tempered by tumult, temptation and finally redemption.” The piece is comprised of the traditional three movements; the first movement is dramatic and expository, the second wonderfully intimate and tender, and the third (in three-four time), is an exhilarating tango!
Elizabeth Raum Concerto Trimmed (1)
‘Barnaby Kerekes premiered the bass trombone concerto on March 28, 2009 with the Brampton Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Robert Raines.’ According to the composer, this is the first performance of either version of the concerto (which she has scored with orchestra or wind ensemble accompaniment), to be performed in the United States.
All tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students, available in advance at www.GMSB.org or at the Gusman Concert Hall Box Office one hour prior to the performance.
Contact: Rayna Davis; Cell Phone: 305.632.0497; Email: rayna.gmsb@gmail.com
Elizabeth Raum’s Concerto for Bass trombone is published by Cherry Classics and may be purchased with piano, wind ensemble, or string orchestra accompaniment. Ms. Raum’s works may be found at: http://www.cherryclassics.com/cherry/raum-elizabeth-m-81.html
The Raum Bass Trombone Concerto was rescheduled for 8:00 pm, June 10th 2014 at Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami, and performed as part of the GMSB “Grande Finale” and conducted by Gary Green.
c. 2013 David William Brubeck All Rights Reserved davidbrubeck.com
