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BRUBECK MUSIC
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CONCERTO FOR BASS TROMBONE AND ORCHESTRA
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Check out Chris' CD, Bach to Brubeck with the London Symphony Orchestra on Koch International Classics. In addition to creating the orchestral arrangements for this recording, Chris was the soloist in his original composition Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra.
Photo Credit: Kvon
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Background of "Bone" Concerto:
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Having spent many years of my adolescence playing in youth orchestras, counting endless measures, playing trombone for only a few passages, and then frustratingly having to count more measures of rest yet again, I resorted to frequest musical daydreams. In fact, I used to have musical nightmares about not being able to contain myself any longer, and would visualize myself jumping up from the back of the orchestra to unleash improvisations much to the conductor's horror. So imagine how my wheels begain turning when in 1991 I was approached by the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Youth Orchestra (in my home State of Connecticut) to compose a work utilizing their high-school aged students.
Being a veteran of that scene, and a strong advocate for the arts in our schools, I couldn't resist the chance to compose for these forces. My goal was to write a challenging work that would keep all sections of the orchestra on their toes, expose them to odd time signatures, polytonality, and above all, remind them that music was supposed to be joyous, energetic, beautiful, adventurous, powerful, and even humorous!
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The name of the 3rd Movement, "James Brown in The Twilight Zone", might benefit from a note of explanation. The title refers to dual compositional elements used throughout; 2 bars from the "turn-around" of the GodFather of Soul's "I Feel Good", and an ascending chromatic passage (originating in the piano and pizzicato strings) which is reminiscent of the music used in Rod Serling's innovative TV anthology. In addition to these very American cultural influences, the Gulf war was being waged and Middle Eastern threads started to weave through the music. The 2nd Movement, "Sorrow Floats", is a reflective Adagio; I must admit I was inspired to name the movement after a chapter title from one of my favorite novels by John Irving. The 1st Movement, "Paradise Utopia", is sizzling with American expansionist energy. I imagine a Donald Trump-like figure maniacally rebuilding the New York skyline. Jazz elements were inescapable, and realizing my old nightmare/dream, quite a bit of the trombone solo is meant to be improvised.
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A couple of years ago I made some revisions to the work to make a once-in-a-lifetime recording with my old friend, innovative banjo player and musical partner, Bill Crofut, our buddy, guitarist Joel Brown, and the wonderful London Symphony Orchestra. The sessions were recorded at Abbey Road Studios (where we even met Sir Paul!) and can be heard on my CD, Bach to Brubeck on Koch International Classics.
On a whim, I sent the London tapes to the Boston Symphony's Doug Yeo. In addition to his international reputation as a virtuoso trombonist, Doug has his finger on the pulse of what is going on in the trombone world. Luckily for me, Doug was very enthusiastic about my piece. We have since become friends and I am so honored (not to mention grateful!) that he has championed my composition to the "classical" trombone community. He has performed it at the 1999 International Trombone Festival and with the Boston Pops (including on "Evening at Pops" on PBS stations) to exciting reviews.
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The 1999 International Trombone Festival - State University of New York at Potsdam, New York, June 4, 1999, performed by Douglas Yeo.
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The Boston Pops - Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts, June 15 and 16, 1999, performed by Douglas Yeo, conducted by Keith Lockhart. The Boston Globe wrote: ..."Yeo's performance was something special, and so was the piece he played - Chris Brubeck's Concerto for Bass Trombone. Yeo is, in the vernacular, a monster. His playing was amazingly articulate through every register, with a relaxed, warm sound that nevertheless had both an edge and a glow. The piece is very well written, especially the first and second movements, which constrast sharply both in mood and compositional style. The last movement is loaded with clever syncopations that give it the impression of being polyrhythmic."
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The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra - Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 15, 16, 17 & 18, 1999, performed by Murray Crewe, conducted by Edward Cumming.
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The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra - Baltimore, Maryland, January 13, 14, and 15, 2000, 1st Movement performed by Randy Campora, conducted by Marvin Hamlisch.
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The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Royal Albert Hall, London, England, April 12, 2001, performed by Roger Argente.
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To Purchase Music for the Trombone Concerto Please Contact:
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Carl Fischer Publishers, LLC
65 Bleecker St
New York, NY 10012
Tel: 212-777-0900
Fax: 212-477-6996
cf-info@carlfischer.com
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