LATEST NEWS - 24 September 2004
AUSTRALIA
Andrew Mather writes about ABODA Conducting School which is being run in Melbourne in January. This course has run every year since 1986, making it Australia's longest running Conducting School. It is open to international applicants (particularly those wishing to escape a severe Northern hemisphere winter!).
The dates are Sunday 16 - Saturday 22 January 2005. All information (including downloadable forms) can be obtained from the ABODA Victoria website www.aboda-vic.org.au
BRAZIL
II SOUTH-AMERICAN CONFERENCE FOR COMPOSERS, ARRANGERS, AND CONDUCTORS OF SYMPHONIC BAND
Visit Dario Sotelo’s website at http://www.asseta.net/cdmcc/conferencia_2004/
For news of the next conference to be held in Tatui 26 – 29 November.
John Stanley john@johnstanley.org a large wind work by André Mehmari from São Paolo premiered by the São Paolo State Wind Band recently, a transcription of the Telemann Conc for 2 Vns – but written for full band – clar soli. John is trying to put together some money to commission him to do a serious work for winds for details contact John.
GERMANY
It is worth checking out the website for Trio Bläsermusik. The manager is Martin Lamprecht whop has information on the works of Rolf Wilhelm, in particular the excellent Concertinos for Tuba and Brand and Euphonium and Band, and also Archie Potter’s very amusing Finnegan’s Wake.
Markoberdorf Summer Academy this summer had Eric Whitacre as guest composer.
Munich Academic Wind Orchestra published its 3rd CD with Music from George Gershwin (Cuban, 2nd Prelude, Rhapsody with Piano solo, American and Catfish (Hunsberger) with Soprano/Baritone) - a coproduction with the Bavarian Rundfunk
NETHERLANDS
THE HAGUE (NL), FRI, 4. JUN 2004 — The Dutch Ministry of Defence intends to disband two of its orchestras, both with a tradition of almost two centuries: the Royal Military Band (KMK) and the Johan Willem Friso Kapel. 68 musicians loose their job.
"It is a great blow, but not quite unexpected," declares commander P.J.M. van Boxtel of the KMK in NRC Handelsblad of June 2nd 2004. "For some years already the orchestra became gradually suffocated by successive eorganisations, being deprived of a regular conductor at that. We can now only put our hope in the members of the Dutch Lower House to prevent the disaster."
The KMK goes back to 1829, when 18 musicians entered the Regiment Grenadiers en Jagers of King William I. A few years later bandmaster François Dunkler composed the famous March of the Grenadiers, based on a theme offered to him by princess Louise of Prussia. Among the conductors were dr. Walther Boer and Rocus van Yperen. Only recently Jacob Slagter, principal horn of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, who appeared as guest conductor of the band, complained of the compulsive economizing as a result of which the normal functioning of the orchestra had become almost impossible.
In a press release the KMK states that it is absurd that an orchestra of such an outstanding quality and with an international reputation should be disbanded. Moreover the idea to create a new and smaller brass band from the two existing orchestras and locate it in the eccentric town of Assen is bizarre. The services to the Royal Family and the Government having their residence in The Hague would certainly be liable to suffer.
"This orchestra can not and may not be lost to the Dutch cultural inheritance."
SWEDEN
Despite Omnibus losing its permanent contract, there are still three professional civilian wind groups in Sweden.
From 2005/2006 (100th Anniversary) the STOCKHOLM WIND SYMPHONY has chosen the world famous trombonist/composer/conductor Christian Lindberg to take on the role as principal/chief conductor.
Lindberg announces exiting plans with his two orchestras the Nordic Chamber Orchestra and the Swedish Wind Ensemble, recording plans, touring plans, world premieres, crossover projects and classical repertoire is what Lindberg promise to deliver when he enters as chief conductor of his two Swedish orchestras.
Lindberg says himself:
The work with executive Lena Byström at NCO and Rikard Gateau at SWE has started in an extremely constructive, enthusiastic and exiting way, and we will promise to deliver classical music experiences in a new, fresh and lively manner.
In 2002 CL was voted, together with Louis Armstrong and Miles Davies, as one of the greatest brass players of the 20th Century and this is his first engagement as chief conductor. There are high expectations for this collaboration and excitement is growing Internationally specifically as their first CD on BIS records (and CL’s debut CD as a conductor) will be released in October 2006 with music by Varése, Larsson, Alfvén and Lindberg.
Lindberg (who in the International encyclopedia Wikipedia recently was presented as one of the leading Swedes in music history, side by side with Roman, Bellman, Jenny Lind and Stenhammar) is particularly enthusiastic about this new venture and says: “It was great chemistry from the first minute I conducted this wonderful orchestra in Bernstein´s Prelude, Fugue and Riffs in 2002. I believe that together we will bring many new and exciting things to music with our creative and energetic approach. Watch out for us!!! On the international CD market, on our international tours, and in Stockholm where our base is as one of its most important music institutions.
Work commissioned by Jim Cochran by Adam Gorb, French Dances Revisited' for double wind quintet will be premiered in Minnesota on November 7th.
COMMISSIONS NORTH CHESHIRE
The NCCB has a strong commitment to commissioning new music - so much so that this page is in danger of spawning a website all of its own. For now, here are some links to the information on this page.
Peter Meechan commission (April 2005 premiere)
Emily Howard commission (December 2004 premiere) - now with updates
Stephen McNeff clarinet concerto (Summer 2005 premiere)
All about the NCCB's innovative commissioning scheme
Click here for a short article in pdf format which details NCCB commissions and gives details on how to become a commissioning partner.
USA As far as I know the "Light Fantastic" is not published. I got it through Mr. Rindfleisch, who is a composer on the faculty at Cleveland State in Ohio. I got his e-mail from the Cleveland State web site and wrote to him. If you have trouble locating him, let me know. I'll dosome homework to see if I can find his address.
We did release a new CD last month. It includes the Martinu "Concertino for Cello & Winds"; Auric "Divertimento", Otterloo "Symphonietta for Winds"; Casterede "Fanfare for Lafayette"; and the Badings "Concerto for Bassoon and Contrabassoon." If you would like a copy, give me and address and I'll send one.
MALTA
When corresponding always use this e.mail: conceuro@camline.net.mt
CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN EUROPEAN WIND BANDS/ORCHESTRAS AND OTHER FESTIVALS
We are inviting all wind and brass bands and orchestras to participate in cultural exchanges between european bands and all bands/orchestras from all over the world to take part in other festivals we organise.
Mr. Francis Pullicino
Managing Director, CEFIT Limited
33 Ave Maria
Cezalpina Street
Birkirkara
Malta - BKR 13
Tel/Fax: 00356 21 499138
Mobile: 00356 99887850
Email: conceuro@camline.net.mt
NEW ZEALAND
Peter Thomas pwt@xtra.co.nz sent information about two New Zealand pieces which he conducted recently with Auckland Wind Orchestra
He writes that one is called Everest by David Woodcock - Gd 2.5 ish - I commissioned this with a few other schools. It is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Hillary and Norgay climbing Everest.
The other work is actually a transcription of 2 movements from Ring round the Moon (a suite for orchestra) by David Farquhar. Farquhar is a leading NZ composer, who was head of the music dept at Victoria University (Wellington). He did the transcription himself. The movements are Polka and Finale - both quite short. They rec'd a great response from the players and the audience.
UNITED KINGDOM
Much of Michael Short’s music is published by Bandleader Publications; if anyone wants a catalogue they should e-mail bandleaderpublications@hotmail.com
In the USA their publications are distributed by Southern Music.
UNITED STATES
Tim Salzman writes:
We appreciate the support that many of you have given our book series and thought that you would want to know - Volume II is now available!
"A Composer's Insight: Thoughts, Analysis and Commentary on Contemporary Masterpieces for Wind Band; Volume II" has been published by Meredith Music Publications under the distributorship of the Hal Leonard Corporation. Following the forward written by Norman Dello Joio are eleven composer chapters each containing interview-based material concerning the musical lives, compositional style, works overview-analyses, conducting/rehearsal approaches, repertoire listings and discographies. The composers and co-authors, each of whom has been extremely gracious with their time and thoughtful contributions to the book, are:
Leslie Bassett, Christopher Chapman
Norman Dello Joio, Mitchell Lutch
Hiroshi Hoshina, Miho Takekawa
Libby Larsen, Linda R. Moorhouse
David Maslanka, Beth Antonopulos
Nicholas Maw, Christopher Koch
Francis McBeth, J. Bradley McDavid
Ron Nelson, Thomas Slabaugh II
H. Owen Reed, William Berz
Jan Van der Roost, Mark Montemayor
Gregory Youtz, Eric Wiltshire
VOLUME II BACK COVER COPY & 'MINI-ENDORSEMENTS'
A Composer's Insight: Thoughts, Analysis and Commentary on Contemporary Masterpieces for Wind Band; Volume II - with a foreword by Norman Dello Joio - is the second in a five-volume series on major contemporary composers and their works for wind band. Included in this volume are rare, 'behind-the-notes' perspectives acquired from personal interviews with each composer. An excellent resource for conductor, composer or enthusiast interested in acquiring a richer musical understanding of the composers' training, compositional approach, musical influences and interpretative ideas.
I extend my hearty congratulations to the faculty and students of the University of Washington for bringing into existence these volumes titled, "A Composer's Insight." I believe the music profession is in their debt.
Norman Dello Joio, Composer, 1957 Pulitzer Prize winner
This important resource provides valuable information about composers of our time that will impact our score study, our interpretive vision, and our performances."
Craig Kirchhoff, Professor of Music/Director of Bands, University of Minnesota