Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble play diverse program
By Susannah Elliott, Entertainment Editor
May 11, 2006 | 12:04 p.m.
Under the direction of Associate Professor of Music Education and Associate Director of Bands Dr. Richard Suk, the Symphonic Band opened the performance with “Gavorkna Fanfare,” composed by Jack Stamp. A very short introduction to the night’s program, Stamp’s composition was unique as a fanfare because it used the full band, rather than the more traditional composition focused on brass and percussion.
Dr. John Climer, who is also professor of music, director of bands and the conductor for the Wind Ensemble, stepped in to conduct “Contre Qui, Rose.” Originally part of Morten Lauridsen’s major vocal cycle “Les Chansons des Roses,” H. Robert Reynolds transcribed “Contre Qui, Rose” for full symphonic band. The result was a very expressive, slow piece that possessed very evident choral roots.
Dr. Suk returned to the stage to conduct “Second Suite in F” and “Fantasia in G,” by Gustav Holst and Timothy Mahr, respectively. “Second Suite” consisted of four movements, each with its own unique characteristics, but all based on English folk songs and morris dances. “Fantasia in G” was inspired by the first line of the poem “Ode to Joy,” which also inspired Beethoven to create the well-known melody in “Symphony No. 9.” Mahr took elements from both of those, using that line (“Joy, bright spark of divinity”) and Beethoven’s melody to create a blaze of harmony that the band performed beautifully.
After a short intermission, the Wind Ensemble took the stage to perform “Commando March,” conducted by Graduate Conducting Associate Kimberly Roof. Samuel Barber composed the march in answer to an Air Force General’s request to compose a piece that would symbolize that military branch’s progression.
Dr. Climer returned to conduct the rest of the night’s program with Karel Husa’s “Music for Prague 1968” and Vittorio Giannini’s “Finale from Symphony No. 3.” Climer apologized for not being able to have Husa in attendance that evening, but provided a recording of the composer introducing his piece. Husa said “the most precious thing we have is freedom. I was born in a country [Czechoslavokia] that has been looking for freedom for a thousand years.”
He went on to explain that “Music for Prague” expresses that struggle for freedom. What the relatively small audience heard Tuesday night was an unconventional piece full of symbolic solos and innovative percussion parts. The dissonance and dramatic dynamics in the music weren’t always pleasing to hear, but the piece told the story it needed to tell
“We cannot always paint flowers,” Husa said.
The four-movement composition also told of the Wind Ensemble’s musical abilities. Both the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble are audition ensembles that are open to any major, but the Wind Ensemble is made up of mostly music majors and is the top ensemble at OU.
Roof explained that the Symphonic Band also explores much different musical styles. “We play more esoteric pieces in Wind Ensemble,” she said, explaining that Tuesday night’s performance, especially, showcased a bigger discrepancy between pieces like “Music for Prague” and the more traditional band pieces.
The concert finale was, appropriately, Giannini’s “Finale from ‘Symphony No. 3.’”
It was dramatic and good-spirited, ending the program on a good note with both ensembles having demonstrated their talent. If you missed the performance and would like to hear Tuesday’s program or another of the groups’ concerts, recordings are kept in the Music/Dance Library on the fifth floor of Robert Glidden Hall.
There are usually two opportunities each year to join Symphonic Band or Wind Ensemble. Unlike the all-inclusive University Band, members must audition to join. Many members are music majors and join to fulfill performance requirements, but not all.
“A lot of people have to be in it, but I just have a music minor and I’ve already fulfilled all my requirements,” sophomore Airin Osborne said. “I’m in Symphonic Band just because I want to continue playing.”
All concerts performed by the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble are free and held in MemAud. There are usually two every quarter, and the next will be held June 1 at 8 p.m. and will include the University Band.
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