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CONCERT PIECES FOR BASS TROMBONE
Eric Ewazen was born in 1954 in Cleveland, Ohio. He received a B.M. at the Eastman School of Music and his M.M. and D.M.A. degrees from The Juilliard School. He has received a number of composition awards and prizes and his works have been commissioned and performed by many soloists, chamber ensembles and orchestras in the U.S. and overseas. His works are recorded on EMI Classics, Summit Records, d'Note Records, CRS Records, New World, Clique Track, Helicon, Hyperion, Cala, and Albany. Two of his solo CDs are available on Well-Tempered Productions.
During recent seasons, a number of Mr. Ewazen's orchestral and chamber works have been premiered around the world. The American Brass Quintet with the Orquesta Sinfonica Carlos Chavez performed Shadowcatcher, his brass quintet concerto for the first time in Mexico City. She-e Wu and the Orchestra Moments Musicales performed the Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra in Taipei, Taiwan. The Tenerife Symphony premiered the Ballade for Bass Trombone, Harp and String Orchestra in the Canary Islands. Linda Strommen and the American Sinfonietta performed Ewazen's Oboe Concerto for the first time in Bellingham, Washington. Hornist Gail Williams and Larry Combs (principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony) were the first to perform The Art of the City along with the Chicago Chamber Musicians. The Charleston (South Carolina) Symphony premiered his Concerto for Tenor Trombone and Orchestra and the West Virginia Symphony gave the U.S. premiere of Shadowcatcher with the American Brass Quintet. Mr. Ewazen's recent and upcoming commissions include a Double Concerto for Trumpet, Trombone and Orchestra, written for the principal players of the Tucson Symphony, a Bassoon Concerto for Florida State University, The Palace of Nine Perfections for Oklahoma University, a Symphony for Strings for the International Sejong Soloists and a piano trio for the Ahn Trio. He has also received commissions to compose symphonic wind ensemble works for the Bi-Centennial of West Point and for the USAF Heritage of America Band at Langley AFB, VA.
Mr. Ewazen was a featured composer at the European Percussive Arts Society Convention in Paris, France where the Orchestre de la Garde Républicaine performed his Marimba Concerto under the direction of François Boulanger. Other notable performances have included Doug Yeo's presentation of his Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra with the New England Conservatory Honors Orchestra, and the Paris Conservatoire's performance of his Palace of Nine Perfections. In addition, concerts featuring all-Ewazen programs were given by Charles Vernon at DePaul University and at the Curtis Institute, Lawrence University, Kennesaw State University, the University of Arizona, Brevard College and Western Michigan. In May 1996 he was Composer-in-Residence at the International Trombone Association Convention and in June 2001 he was the Composer-in-Residence at the 33rd International Horn Society Convention. He was also a guest composer with Musiques en Eurorégion in Northern France in October 1999.
Eric Ewazen has been vice-president of the League-ISCM, Composer-in-Residence with the St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble, lecturer for the New York Philharmonic's Musical Encounters Series, and is currently a faculty member of The Juilliard School.
With its versatility, impressive range and amazing colors, the bass trombone is an instrument capable of such a variety of emotional expression. I am grateful to some of the finest bass trombonists of our time—John Rojak, Stefan Sanders, David Taylor and Charles Vernon, who have helped bring this recording to life. Their inspiration, artistry and dedication to furthering their repertoire has resulted in the creation of the five concert pieces of Bass Hits.
Concertino for Bass Trombone and Trombone Choir
Having been a friend of David Taylor's since 1980 when he recorded my piece, Dagon II for 9 tracks of bass trombone, I have long known of his legendary playing in so many different musical styles—from classical to jazz to popular to experimental. With the Concertino, I wanted to write a work for him which captures many of his musical personalities. The piece was premiered by David Taylor with the University of Illinois Trombone Choir, conducted by Elliott Chasanov at the 1996 International Trombone Association festival at the University of Illinois. The one movement work alternates soulful chorales with hard-driving rhythmic passages. The trombone choir provides a buoyant intricate accompaniment for jazz influenced gestures and melodies in the soloist's line. At the culmination of the piece a virtuostic cadenza leads to a final rousing coda.
Ballade for Bass Trombone, Harp and String Orchestra
Ballade for Bass Trombone, Harp and String Orchestra began life as a work for clarinet. I made the arrangements for Charles Vernon, to whom the piece is dedicated in 1996. Charlie premiered the work at the 1996 ITA convention at the University of Illinois. I well knew of his reputation as one of the genuinely great orchestral and solo bass trombonists of our time. At that convention I had the pleasure of accompanying him on a program which included such diverse pieces as Mahler's Kindertotenlieder and the John Williams' Concerto. The Ballade showcases Charlie's wonderful ability to float long, lyric lines and to dazzle the listener with his energetic vitality and golden tone. In an ABABA form, these two polar extremes are highlighted. The piece seems to rise out of a mist…sing, dance and play… and quietly, peacefully disappear again into the mist.
Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra
Stefan Sanders, whom I am proud to count as one of my music theory students at Juilliard, won the low brass competition held at the school in 1997, resulting in his premiere performance of my Concerto for Bass Trombone (or Tuba) and Orchestra. Stefan's commanding sonority and his heartfelt expression resulted in a premiere performance both riveting and soulful. This is a large 3 movement concerto—modeled after the concertos of the classical period. The first movement's introduction and coda is a lilting song framing an extremely playful sonata allegro form. Much of the movement is contrapuntal, allowing the bass trombone to combine and recombine with various soloists in the orchestra. The second movement is a genuine aria, a melancholy song without words. The final movement is frenetic and agitated, sometimes angry, sometimes heroic and even joyful…but always filled with momentum and drive.
Rhapsody for Bass Trombone and String Orchestra
John Rojak has been a friend for almost 25 years, since we were students together at Juilliard. As the extraordinary bass trombonist of the American Brass Quintet, he has performed on some of the most celebrated brass chamber music recordings of the 20th, now 21st centuries. Equally adept as a terrific soloist, John approached me about writing a piece for him in 1996. This resulted in the Rhapsody for Bass Trombone and String Orchestra which he premiered at the 1997 ITA Convention in Boulder, CO. All three movements of this work are in minor keys. Although pastorale, uplifting gestures and moments of sunlight appear, the net effect of this piece remains haunting, mysterious and dramatic. In the first movement, mournful, expressive bass trombone lines are supported by high shimmering string chords. The second movement is a melancholy waltz. The third movement contains thundering, agitated themes and gestures.
Capriccio for Bass Trombone and Trombone Choir
The finale of Bass Hits is a Capriccio for Bass Trombone and Trombone Choir. It was written for David Taylor as a companion piece to his Concertino which opens Bass Hits. The rapid, spinning compound meter calls to mind a wild, ecstatic tarantella. The bass trombone dances over the punctuated, aggressive trombone choir chords, creating a feeling of boundless energy and exhilaration.
Glen Cortese is music director of the New York Chamber Sinfonia, and Principal Conductor at the Manhattan School of Music, where he is the director of orchestral studies. He has appeared as guest conductor both in the United States and abroad. He has worked with the New York City Opera and the Symphonies of New Jersey, North Carolina, Bangor, Meridian, Queens, New Amsterdam and Austin. In addition, he has conducted the Mexico City Philharmonic, the New Orleans Philharmonic, the International Chamber Orchestra, the Belarus State Philharmonic, Noorhollands Philharmonisch, Orquesta Sinfonica Carlos Chavez, and the Altenburg Landeskappele Orchestra. Mr. Cortese covered as Assistant Conductor to the New York Philharmonic and is music director of the East-West International Symphony Orchestra in Altenburg, Germany. He has collaborated with major soloists such as Ransom Wilson, Sharon Isbin, Ruth Laredo, Glenn Dicterow and Dawn Upshaw. As an advocate of new music, he has also collaborated with some of the most renowned composers of our time, including Milton Babbitt, Elliott Carter, John Corigliano, George Crumb and Lukas Foss. His discography includes recordings on the Titanic, Newport Classics, Phoenix, Owl, CMS and Le Crepuscule du Disc labels.
Paul Polivnick, conductor
Renowned conductor Paul Polivnick has conducted and recorded with symphony orchestras around the world. In the United States he has appeared with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and the Utah, North Carolina and San Diego Symphonies. Internationally he has appeared with the Czechoslovakian State Orchestra of Gottwaldov, the Brno Philharmonic, the Korean Symphony Orchestra, Orkester des Osterreichischen Rundfunks, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Gulbenkian Orchestra. He has been Music Director/Conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Associate Principal Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Associate Conductor at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Assistant Conductor of the Aspen Festival Orchestra. In 1997 he was appointed Music Director-Oberlin Orchestras, at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He is also Music Director of the New Hampshire Music Festival and Principal Conductor of the Harmonia Nova Orchestra of Vienna.
John Rojak, bass trombone
John Rojak joined the American Brass Quartet in 1991, and has toured with them throughout the United States and abroad. He is bass trombonist with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the New York Pops, the Little Orchestra Society, the Stanford Symphony and Broadway's Les Miserables. He has performed and recorded extensively with the New York Philharmonic, Orpheus, the New York Chamber Symphony, and as solo trombone of Solisti New York. As part of Gunther Schuller's hand-picked orchestra, he was involved in the recording of Brahms' First Symphony and Beethoven's Fifth for a collaborative CD to Mr. Schuller's book, “The Compleat Conductor.” He has performed with numerous international ballet companies, such as the Bolshoi, Kirov, and London Royal companies, and has played with the big bands of Mel Lewis, Jerry Mulligan and Bob Mintzer. Active as a soloist and clinician, Mr. Rojak was the first bass trombonist to be Artist-in-Residence at Quad City Arts in Illinois/Iowa and has been featured at the International Trombone Association festivals in Champaign-Urbana and in Boulder, Colorado. He has given master classes and recitals throughout the U.S., Japan and Mexico. His New York concerto debut occurred in the spring of 2000 with the New York Chamber Symphony in Alice Tully Hall, performing Walter Ross' “Trombone Concerto No. 2”. His solo recording, “The Romantic Bass Trombone” with pianist Robert Koenig has been released on MMC Records in the spring of 2001. Mr. Rojak is on the faculties of Juilliard, Rutgers and the Aspen Music Festival.
Stefan Sanders, bass trombone
Stefan Sanders has been Bass Trombonist with the Buffalo Philharmonic since 1999. He has performed with chamber and orchestral ensembles throughout the world, including the New York Philharmonic. He received his Bachelors of Music Degree from The Juilliard School where he was a student of Donald Harwood. He also studied with Jeannie Little at the Interlochen Arts Academy. As a soloist, Mr. Sanders gave the world premiere of Eric Ewazen's Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra with Maestro Jah-Jah Ling and The Juilliard Orchestra in Avery Fisher Hall. Since then he has performed the work twice at the U.S. Army Band's Eastern Trombone Workshop. Mr. Sanders has also given recitals and Master classes throughout the United States and Japan.
David Taylor, bass trombone
David Taylor's musical career runs the gamut of soloist, proponent of new music, jazz musician, orchestral musician, studio player and chamber musician. He played with the American Symphony Orchestra and appeared with the New York Philharmonic under Pierre Boulez. He has been a member of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis jazz band and recorded with Duke Ellington, The Rolling Stones and Blood, Sweat and Tears. He has appeared as soloist with the St. Luke's Chamber Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Caramoor Festival Orchestra, the New York Chamber Symphony, the Basil Sinfonietta, the Adelaide Philharmonic and the Group for Contemporary Music, among others. He has commissioned dozens of works for bass trombone by composers including Alan Hovhaness, Charles Wuorinen and George Perle. He has appeared and recorded chamber music with Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and Wynton Marsalis. In the world of popular artists, he has appeared and recorded with Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones and Aretha Franklin. Mr. Taylor has won the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Most Valuable Player Award for five consecutive years, the most it could be awarded. He is a member of the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College and SUNY-Purchase.
Charles Vernon, bass trombone
Charles “Charlie” Vernon joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1986 as bass trombonist, coming from the Philadelphia Orchestra, where he had served in that same position since 1981. Prior to that he held identical posts with the Baltimore Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony. A clinician for the Selmer Instrument Company and a frequent guest artist for the International Trombone Association, Charlie has made numerous appearances as a soloist throughout the world. In April 1991, with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Daniel Barenboim, he gave the world premiere of Ellen Taafe Zwilich's Concerto for Bass Trombone. Currently a member of the faculties of DePaul, Northwestern and Roosevelt Universities, he has also taught at Catholic University, the Brevard Music Center, the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts and the Curtis Institute of Music.
International Sejong Soloists
The International Sejong Soloists have toured extensively throughout the world, as a conductor-less string orchestra. Lauded by critics and audiences, they have played their varied repertoire at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, the 92nd Street Y, the Kennedy Center, Tokyo's Suntory Hall, and at the Ravinia festival in Chicago, among other leading venues. They are Ensemble-in-Residence at the Aspen Music Festival and have collaborated with such world-renowned artists as Sarah Chang, Leon Fleisher, Lynn Harell, Cho-Liang Lin, Gil Shaham, and Benita Valente. Under the artistic direction of Hyo Kang, one of the most acclaimed violinists and teachers in the world, the ensemble is sponsored in part by the Samsung Foundation of Culture and represented by ICM Arista, LTD.
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
The famed Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1977 under the leadership of its Artistic Director and Concertmaster Pavel Prantl and is comprised of principal and core members of the Czech Philharmonic and the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra has toured throughout Europe, Asia and North America. The orchestra has recorded for numerous record labels and has won a coveted Grand Prix du Disque.
Concertino for Bass Trombone and Trombone Chorus, Ballade for Bass Trombone, Harp and String Orchestra, and Capriccio for Bass Trombone and Trombone Choir were recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, New York. Produced and Engineered by Adam Abeshouse; Edited by Adam Abeshouse and Silas Brown.
Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra and Rhapsody for Bass Trombone and String Orchestra were recorded at Studio 1, Czech Radio, Prague, Czech Republic. Produced and Edited by Milan Slavicky (Rhapsody) and Jiri Gemrot (Concerto)
Engineered by Jan Kotzmann
1 Concertino for Bass Trombone and Trombone
David Taylor, Bass Trombone
Trombone Choir: Joseph Alessi, Blair Bollinger,
Glen Dodson, Otmar Gaiswinkler, Erik Hainzl,
Dietmar Küblböck, Mark Lawrence, Hans Ströcker
2 Ballade for Bass Trombone, Harp and String
Charles Vernon, Bass Trombone
International Sejong Soloists
Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra
3 Andante con moto—Allegro Vivace [5:35]
4 Andante Espressivo [6:49]
Stefan Sanders, Bass Trombone
Paul Polivnick, Conductor
Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
Rhapsody for Bass Trombone and String Orchestra
6 Andante Misterioso [5:56]
7 Allegretto Cantabile [6:15]
John Rojak, Bass Trombone
Paul Polivnick, Conductor
Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
9 Capriccio for Bass Trombone and Trombone Choir [5:20]
David Taylor, Bass Trombone
Trombone Choir: Joseph Alessi, Blair Bollinger, Glen Dodson,
Otmar Gaiswinkler, Erik Hainzl, Dietmar Küblböck,
Mark Lawrence, Hans Ströcker
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