With the holidays upon us, we present a selection of brass-forward works for orchestra and ensemble. Please enjoy these alternatives to standard December fare; their geneses span from film scores (Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev) and Beatles songs (Per Nørgård) to 20th-century political unrest and solidarity (Julius Eastman, Joan Tower, Roy Harris).
Mature works by John Corigliano, Edward Gregson, John Harbison, Aram Khachaturian, and Poul Ruders revel in the musical possibilities of the brass section, while Thea Musgrave and André Previn's pieces date from the earlier years of their careers: the latter two composers celebrate their 90th birthdays this season. Interviews, Appreciations, Photographs, and Catalogues:
Thea Musgrave at Ninety and André Previn at Ninety
In symphonies from Nikos Skalkottas, Avet Terterian, and Galina Ustvolskaya, we encounter three radically different voices from Eastern Europe, all using their brass sections to distinct and compelling ends. Skalkottas' final work for large orchestra abandons the dodecaphony of his earlier music for a dramatically tonal style, and Terterian's Third spares no one from its relentless agony and foreboding. Ustvolskaya, the spiritual visionary and recluse who would have turned 100 in 2019, provides a more measured cry into the void for her Third Symphony; subtitled "Jesus Messiah, Save Us!", it may be evermore appropriate for Christmastimes to come.
John Corigliano
Fanfares to Music
Onstage = hn.2tpt.tbn.btbn; Offstage = 2hn.2pictpt.tbn.tba - 6'
Listen on Spotify
Julius Eastman
If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?
0000/2321/perc.pf/10002 - 24'
Listen on Spotify
Edward Gregson
Symphony in Two Movements (version for Symphonic Brass and Percussion)
0000/6(flg).4.3.euph.2/timp.2perc - 18'
Listen on YouTube (original brass band version)
John Harbison
Concerto for Double Brass Choir and Orchestra
Double Brass Choir (4.4.3.1 total); 2.2.2.2(cbn)/0000/2timp/str - 20'
Listen on Spotify
Roy Harris
Symphony No. 11
3+pic.3+ca.3+bcl.4(cbn)/644(btbn)2(bar)/timp/perc/cel.hp/str - 19'
Listen on YouTube
Betsy Jolas
Lassus Ricercare
0000/0230/2perc/hp.pf+pf[=cel] - 10'
Aram Khachaturian
Symphony No. 3 (Symphony-Poem)
Solo Instruments: Organ, 15 solo trumpets
2+pic.2+ca.2.2/4331/timp.perc/hp/str - 25'
Listen on Spotify
Per Nørgård
Doing (after The Beatles)
0000/5.3+5cnt+flg.0.2+euph/timp.perc - 10'
Thea Musgrave
Variations
Brass Band – 7'
Listen on YouTube
André Previn
Triolet for Brass - 18'
Listen on Spotify
Sergei Prokofiev
Pushkiniana, Op. 70
233.tsx.2/4231/timp.perc.chm.glock.xyl/hp.cel.pf/str - 18'
Listen on Spotify
Poul Ruders
Fanfares & Chorales
4hn.3tpt.2cnt.1flg.3tbn.euph.2tba - 14'
Nikos Skalkottas
Classical Symphony in A
6453/6.3+cnt.4.2/timp.perc/2hp/8db - 37'
Listen on YouTube
Dmitri Shostakovich
Golden Mountains, Op. 30
333.ssx+asx+tsx.3/8442/timp.perc.glock.xyl/2hp.Hawaiian gtr/str - 27'
Listen on Spotify
Avet Terterian
Symphony No. 3
3(pic)3(ca)43(cbn)/6331/timp.perc.xyl.3zurnas.2duduks/2pf/str(14.10.10.10.10); additional 6hn - 26'
Listen on Spotify
Joan Tower
Second Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
0000/4331/timp.3perc - 5'
Listen on YouTube
Galina Ustvolskaya
Symphony No. 3, "Jesus Messiah, Save Us!"
0500/0513/3perc/pf/5db - 15'
Listen on YouTube
