indy4 147 Report post Posted June 9, 2014 When was that announced? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miguel Andrade 377 Report post Posted June 9, 2014 If memory serves, that was on one of Gloria Cheng's messages for those who subscribed to his kickstarter campaign. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indy4 147 Report post Posted June 10, 2014 I just searched "Gloria 2015" and "Gloria spring" and "Gloria year" in my email inbox and I didn't get anything...I don't remember her ever mentioning a date for release Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 71 Report post Posted June 10, 2014 Another concert piece by Maestro John Williams; awesome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TownerFan 1297 Report post Posted June 10, 2014 I just searched "Gloria 2015" and "Gloria spring" and "Gloria year" in my email inbox and I didn't get anything...I don't remember her ever mentioning a date for releaseShe mentioned it on her FB page:Great film composers writing for solo piano. CD release in early 2015 on Harmonia mundi USA, Film to be shared on Youtube as soon as it's ready, Pics to be shared here.https://www.facebook.com/gloriachengpiano/media_set?set=a.10203440867443558.1073741829.1268902340&type=1 1 indy4 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay 6610 Report post Posted June 12, 2014 So back to the subject at hand, this event is happening in about 6 hours, eh?Is anyone here attending?http://gmc.sonoma.edu/event/2170779-national-brass-ensemble-in-concert Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Mark 1089 Report post Posted June 12, 2014 I'm waiting for the You tube video later tonight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indy4 147 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 I'm here right now. Second half is about to start, which opens with JWs "Music for Brass" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Incanus 3313 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 Report! Report! REPORT! 1 TGP reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Mark 1089 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 yeah report Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indy4 147 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 Okay, here are my thoughts!I REALLY enjoyed the composition. The piece, as I mentioned before, is titled "Music for Brass" (although it also requires some percussion). If I had to categorize it, I'd definitely say it fits in the "Fanfare for Fenway"/"For the President's Own" realm. It's more focused than the latter, but offers more variety than the former. I'm not great at judging these types of things, but I'd say it's maybe 4-5 minutes in length.The opening begins with a rhythmic idea that bears some resemblance to the opening of "For the President's Own." The first section is variations on this idea. It's almost minimalistic in its repetition. I do remember thinking that JW may have gone on a bit too long with this idea.There are a couple of REALLY powerful, adrenaline-pumping climaxes, as in "For the President's Own," and a few false endings. There's also a bit of the fast trumpet tonguing that is so prevalent in JW's action film music--it was very cool to hear JW's concert and film personas mix so directly. There's also a weird but awesome tuba solo, which quickly becomes a tuba trio (that's right, the piece calls for 3 tubas).Here are the program notes (written by JW):Throughout my musical life, I've been instructed and inspired by the great brass players that I've been privileged to work with and to write for.Because of the breadth of their exposure to so many musical genres...classical, jazz, big band ensemble, military and brass band tradition, pop, rock 'n roll, and on and on...our American brass players are the most versatile and finest in the world.The invitation to write a piece for the National Brass Ensemble gave me an opportunity to salute the members of this preeminent ensemble, and "Music for Brass" is offered a a humble tribute to their wizardy.The piece attempts to spotlight, separately and together, the diverse groups forming the ensemble...trumpets, horns, trombones, and tubas...and I hope in some small way it might capture some of the brilliant spirit of 'my friends pictured within.'"The piece calls for:- 9 trumpets- 5 horns- 5 trombones- 2 bass trombones- 3 tubas- timpani- "percussion" (from what I remember, this included chimes and xylophone)It's so surreal to think I got to witness the world premiere of a JW concert work. Absolutely stunning! Cannot wait for the recording! 5 hornist, TGP, Incanus and 2 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Incanus 3313 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 Thank you for your thoughts indy4! Sounds like an intriguing and exciting piece! And thank you for giving your initial impressions as I am sure it is difficult to assess a new work intricately just after hearing for the first time. I hope we have a chance to hear this soon! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nightscape94 947 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 Thanks for the first-hand report! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
karelm 915 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 Wow, sounds like a great piece! Looking forward to buying the CD. Thanks for the first hand account. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 71 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 I cannot wait to purchase the CD release of the Maestro's "Music for Brass." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay 6610 Report post Posted June 13, 2014 Oh yea, I forgot a CD was confirmed! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 71 Report post Posted June 14, 2014 It is awesome!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor 1353 Report post Posted November 18, 2014 Oh yea, I forgot a CD was confirmed!Maybe I missed this piece of information, but where was a CD or, in fact, any recording confirmed for "Music for Brass"? Or did I misunderstand something? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay 6610 Report post Posted November 18, 2014 Read the link in the main post of this thread! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Mark 1089 Report post Posted November 19, 2014 Geez I'm losing track of all these new pieces Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 71 Report post Posted November 19, 2014 When will it be released? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor 1353 Report post Posted November 20, 2014 Ah, yes it mentions a future CD recording in that article, but no date, alas. If the article was written back in June, they should probably have recorded it by now, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Brausam 102 Report post Posted November 20, 2014 I would assume it would be a live recording of the concert. Most concert music in the US isn't done in studio recording environments anymore due to costs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor 1353 Report post Posted November 20, 2014 I would assume it would be a live recording of the concert. Most concert music in the US isn't done in studio recording environments anymore due to costs.So if the recording was made in June, why is there no sign of a release now, 5 months later? (I have no clue about how album production timelines work, btw). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indy4 147 Report post Posted November 21, 2014 I was at the premiere and I'm 90% certain they said they'd be recording it in a studio Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 71 Report post Posted November 26, 2014 I cannot wait for this. Any piece by the Maestro is exciting to hear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Mark 1089 Report post Posted November 27, 2014 I was at the premiere and I'm 90% certain they said they'd be recording it in a studiowhat's the 10% uncertainty? False memories? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indy4 147 Report post Posted November 27, 2014 Yeah I'm 100% sure they said they'd be recording it, and 90% sure they said it'd be in a studio (I think Skywalker something?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richard 1623 Report post Posted November 27, 2014 #show lots of things happening at once,we need a montage# Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TGP 3259 Report post Posted November 27, 2014 Great venue choice. Maybe Ben Burtt will be there to fart directly into the decca tree for proper sonic ambience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miguel Andrade 377 Report post Posted November 27, 2014 YeahI'm 100% sure they said they'd be recording it, and 90% sure they said it'd be in a studio (I think Skywalker something?)Yes, you are right, it is a studio recording, made at George Lucas' Skywalker Sound. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hlao-roo 386 Report post Posted April 10, 2015 https://www.sfcv.org/article/san-francisco-conservatory-of-music-president-goes-on-the-recordAs for that new record label and its debut release, close to [san Francisco Conservatory of Music President David] Stull’s tubist heart, he notes that aside from [san Francisco] Symphony trombonist Tim Higgins’ resetting of a collection of [Giovanni] Gabrieli canzones, madrigals, and magnificats, the disc will include a brand new fanfare, Music for Brass, composed and donated by an enthusiastic John Williams. The Gabrieli material, debuted in performance at the Green Music Center in Sonoma last June, will join the Williams’ material in a roll-out of the new label at Symphony Hall in Chicago on September 20, under the baton of Riccardo Muti, with a possible tour of the National Brass Ensemble to follow. Stull will be there. And his so-far unnamed label will then set itself, he promises, to "projects that wouldn’t otherwise be produced because the economics don’t exist to support them." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 676 Report post Posted April 10, 2015 Does the "roll out of the new label" mean the CD will be released this fall? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TownerFan 1297 Report post Posted April 10, 2015 Riccardo Muti conducting a Williams piece? Hell, YES! 1 Joe Brausam reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mari 245 Report post Posted June 13, 2015 I came across this tidbit today on trumpetherald.com:This concert (September 20) will coincide with the release of our CD "GABRIELI" which will include sixteen new Tim Higgins arrangements of works by Giovanni Gabrieli and the fore-mentioned new work by John Williams. While the official CD release will not be until early October, this CD will be offered in a special “pre sale” at the concert venue only that day.Tickets for the concert went on sale June 5:http://cso.org/TicketsAndEvents/EventDetails.aspx?eid=7391Edited to add a review of Music for Brass posted on trumpetherald.com:In a concert so thoroughly devoted to Gabrieli, the John Williams Music for Brass that opened the second half provided a welcome non-Renaissance clearing of the palate. A one-movement whirlwind composed for the entire 24-voice ensemble plus tympani and vibraphone, the piece bristled with staccato syncopations traded back and forth among the voices, quick slurred flourishes over fat tuba pedal tones, extended super-forte multiple-tongued passages, huge dynamic contrasts, flashy rhythmic dislocations--a real tour de force from one of our most brilliant living American composers. One wishes only that the percussionists had been more audibly exposed. Amidst the ovation that followed, one spectator's voice stood out: "Play it again!!" 4 Hlao-roo, TownerFan, Miguel Andrade and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miguel Andrade 377 Report post Posted September 1, 2015 The CD will be distributed by Naxos. 1 TownerFan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TownerFan 1297 Report post Posted September 1, 2015 Here's a link I just found:http://naxosusa.com/fall-2015/gabrieli-national-brass-ensemble/CD is being released on October 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miguel Andrade 377 Report post Posted September 1, 2015 Available earlier from the CSO store, or so I understand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor 1353 Report post Posted September 2, 2015 Hope it also gets available in iTunes, as the Williams piece is the only one I want, really (not that the other pieces aren't great as well; I'm sure they are). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indy4 147 Report post Posted September 5, 2015 Great! Excited to hear this again. I was at the world premiere and as I testified earlier in this thread, it's a great piece. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrbellamy 2285 Report post Posted September 21, 2015 Anybody else go to the CSO this afternoon? Fantastic concert (full house too!), simply incredible to see all these players gathered together. Flawless.Riccardo Muti was unfortunately only there to conduct his beloved Verdi (stunning) while the ensemble players themselves admirably traded conducting duties for the rest. BSO Principal Horn James Sommerville conducted Music For Brass, which didn't let me down. This thing really moves, it struck me as more frenetic, energetic, colorful, perhaps just more fun than either "Fanfare for Fenway" or "For the President's Own". As indy4 mentioned when he heard it at the world premiere, it's more reminiscent of one of his modern action cues than an Americana-type fanfare, I think...more rhythmic than melodic, greater intensity, and it's got some of his sense of humor in there with the sudden dynamic changes and false endings, as well as some wonderfully odd, lowww tuba sonorities. Crowd seemed to like it, I think it's one of my favorites of his recent concert works, maybe since 2003 with Soundings and the Horn Concerto? One of the most enjoyable anyway, I'll have to give it another listen but it's pretty thrilling! Also agree with the above quote that it was a good palate cleanser after 7 Gabrielis in a row and 12 total, and especially considering it came at the very end of the concert rather than starting the second half. That said, Tim Higgins' arrangements of both Verdi and Gabrieli were incredibly rich and I agree with a post on the trumpetherald forum that Gabrieli's "Canzon per Sonar Duodecimi Toni" featuring David Bilger and Jeffrey Curnow on trumpet was a particular highlight, probably the most virtuosic piece in the set.Unfortunately had to duck out immediately so I couldn't join the fray clamoring for a CD but I'll definitely be ordering a copy next month. 3 Xinau, hornist and Thor reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor 1353 Report post Posted September 21, 2015 Ooh, tantalizing. Thanks for the rundown, mrbellamy.Waiting for October 9th to get here.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stefancos 6099 Report post Posted September 21, 2015 They let members of the orchestra conduct? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Incanus 3313 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 They let members of the orchestra conduct?Isn't it awful how we have come to that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stefancos 6099 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 It's disrespectful! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexcremers 1074 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 Theoretically speaking, you don't need a conductor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stefancos 6099 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 Music isn't all about technique! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TGP 3259 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 When the ensemble is small enough that everyone can be in "communication" with each other, you don't need a conductor. But when you have a big group, you need that focal point. It's more than just keeping time, a lot more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stefancos 6099 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 Indeed! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexcremers 1074 Report post Posted September 22, 2015 Theoretically speaking, if every musician knows his part and every other part very well, you don't need a conductor. There will be a more interaction between the musicians than with with a conductor, but yes, it might be a problem with very large orchestras (especially when augmented with choirs). It's no secret that orchestras can play the classic hits perfectly without a conductor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
