Program for April 19, 2015 First Baptist Church
Dramatic Prelude (1966)................. Claude T. Smith (1832–1987)
Claude T. Smith was a celebrated composer of band music during his lifetime, clearly indicated by his having received commissions from several of the Washington, DC-based military bands. His Dramatic Prelude, configured allegro-andante-allegro, employs extensive changing meter, which keeps things interesting for the conductor, the band musician, and the foot-tapping audience member, as well.
First Light on the Chesapeake (1996)................. James L. Hosay (1959)
James Hosay, formerly a staff arranger for the U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own), has written that he always loved the ocean. He wrote this original composition, inspired by the calm beauty of Chesapeake Bay.
Chimes of Liberty (1922)................. Edwin Franko Goldman (1878–1956)
Kentucky born, but New York based bandmaster Goldman wrote several marches with patriotic titles, including Chimes of Liberty.
Three Ayres from Gloucester (1969)................. Hugh M. Stuart (1917–2006)
1. The Jolly Earl of Cholmondeley
2. Ayre for Eventide
3. The Fiefs of Wembley
Matt Barnhill, conductor
All three movements sound as though they are based on English folk songs, but they are in fact original material by the American composer Hugh Stuart. Gloucester (pron. GLOS-tuh), is a town in the southwest of England. In additional regard to proper English pronunciation pertaining to this work, the reader may be enlightened by the couplet, “There’s no one quite so comely, As the Jolly Earl of Cholmondeley.” And, oh yes, a “fief” (pron. feef) is a large land area ruled by a lord—I know you were wondering. The town of Cholmondeley is 112 miles north of Gloucester, and Wembley is in London, which is 95 miles to the east. Therefore, the composer cannot be credited with geographical or historical accuracy in titling the movements of his Three Ayres, but his accurate emulation of the English styles is laudable, and his treatment of his three original melodies is delightful.
I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables (1980)................. music by Claude-Michel Schönberg (1944)
English lyrics by Herbert Krertzmer
Mark Fields, baritone
In the musical production Les Misérable, the character Fantine lamented by way of the song “I Dreamed a Dream” that all that had gone wrong in her life. Numerous singers have recorded the song, and it has become a jazz standard.
Lord Tullamore (2001)................. Carl Wittrock (1966)
Tullamore is an inland Irish village, and in this work we are musically reminded of majestic scenery, lively dance, and boisterous revelry. It consists of a mystical declarative introduction, a rollicking jig, a lyrical lament, a fierce folk ballad, and a reprise of the jig; all reflecting Dutch composer Carl Wittrock’s view from across the Channel.
The Billboard (1901)................. John N. Klohr (1859–1956)
A circus march dedicated to the music industry magazine of the same name.
Dramatic Prelude (1966)................. Claude T. Smith (1832–1987)
Claude T. Smith was a celebrated composer of band music during his lifetime, clearly indicated by his having received commissions from several of the Washington, DC-based military bands. His Dramatic Prelude, configured allegro-andante-allegro, employs extensive changing meter, which keeps things interesting for the conductor, the band musician, and the foot-tapping audience member, as well.
First Light on the Chesapeake (1996)................. James L. Hosay (1959)
James Hosay, formerly a staff arranger for the U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own), has written that he always loved the ocean. He wrote this original composition, inspired by the calm beauty of Chesapeake Bay.
Chimes of Liberty (1922)................. Edwin Franko Goldman (1878–1956)
Kentucky born, but New York based bandmaster Goldman wrote several marches with patriotic titles, including Chimes of Liberty.
Three Ayres from Gloucester (1969)................. Hugh M. Stuart (1917–2006)
1. The Jolly Earl of Cholmondeley
2. Ayre for Eventide
3. The Fiefs of Wembley
Matt Barnhill, conductor
All three movements sound as though they are based on English folk songs, but they are in fact original material by the American composer Hugh Stuart. Gloucester (pron. GLOS-tuh), is a town in the southwest of England. In additional regard to proper English pronunciation pertaining to this work, the reader may be enlightened by the couplet, “There’s no one quite so comely, As the Jolly Earl of Cholmondeley.” And, oh yes, a “fief” (pron. feef) is a large land area ruled by a lord—I know you were wondering. The town of Cholmondeley is 112 miles north of Gloucester, and Wembley is in London, which is 95 miles to the east. Therefore, the composer cannot be credited with geographical or historical accuracy in titling the movements of his Three Ayres, but his accurate emulation of the English styles is laudable, and his treatment of his three original melodies is delightful.
I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables (1980)................. music by Claude-Michel Schönberg (1944)
English lyrics by Herbert Krertzmer
Mark Fields, baritone
In the musical production Les Misérable, the character Fantine lamented by way of the song “I Dreamed a Dream” that all that had gone wrong in her life. Numerous singers have recorded the song, and it has become a jazz standard.
Lord Tullamore (2001)................. Carl Wittrock (1966)
Tullamore is an inland Irish village, and in this work we are musically reminded of majestic scenery, lively dance, and boisterous revelry. It consists of a mystical declarative introduction, a rollicking jig, a lyrical lament, a fierce folk ballad, and a reprise of the jig; all reflecting Dutch composer Carl Wittrock’s view from across the Channel.
The Billboard (1901)................. John N. Klohr (1859–1956)
A circus march dedicated to the music industry magazine of the same name.
