***World Premiere
On Sunday, July 16, 2023, I was again privileged to attend an excellent community band performance of all 21st Century music. The oldest pieces were written in 2005, and the concert included three *world premieres. Most of these works are tone poems; music that tells stories, or suggests specific emotions and scenes, giving listeners a way to connect with unfamiliar music.
Like many band performances, this concert opened with “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Dr. George Naff’s 2005 setting of “The Star-Spangled Banner” begins simply with the melody’s first phrase played quietly, questioningly, over a low brass pedal tone. By the second phrase, the melody floats over a melodic foundation. It blossoms as the ensemble joins in with harmonic surprises, sweeping inner lines, soaring counter melodies, and unexpected cadences. This arrangement is an aural treat and I hope to hear it again, often.
“Evolution” (2022) by Dr. Donald Sorah, gives a new meaning to its title. Rather than macroevolution with its amoebas to dinosaurs to primates’ progression, this story narrates hopeful progress of human nature. A malevolent creature, inhabiting a foreboding environment of turmoil and darkness, morphs into an energetic prankster, who dances though his existence. He finally evolves to a dignified citizen who embodies a noble spirit. While each of the three stages carry similar tensions, the textures contrast radically and effectively tell a new story.
Movement III Allegro from Concerto for Trumpet and Wind Ensemble (2022), written and conducted by Dr. Jason S. Ladd and performed by Dr. Randall Haynes, is a study in mood changes. It opens with woodwinds repeating downward minor thirds, which elicit darkness. The solo trumpet enters with downward altered scale passages above dissonant harmony and echoing passages, which eventually break free with rising themes. After a calmer interlude, the opening repeats with even more struggles that resolve into an unexpected brilliant major scale finale. It successfully depicts changing from darkness to light.
***Dr. Donald Sorah’s 2022 “Canticle” is developed from a medieval chant played by oboe above a simple woodwind harmony. It evokes echoing cathedrals and empty moors at sunset. The introduction transmutes into a spirited full-ensemble drama using motifs from the beginning that dwindle into a resetting of the chant that fades away into nothing. An effective, evocative premiere of a new piece. Bravo!
Dan Boothe’s 2005 setting of “In the Shadow of the Pines” stays close to its original “lonely Appalachian man in the woods” meaning. The tune is stated simply at first and then the ensemble musically describes the wind and the shadows, and the happiness in his dream, which fades into a lament for lost love. This piece is certainly worth performing again. Thank you.
“Planet 411 and Beyond” (2020) by Jason Bailey seems to break the trend of this concert’s “human development” theme. With hanging repeated motifs and non-traditional scales, it harmonically conjures a brand-new planet, outer space, and the unknown. The listener can picture the danger that threatens: no sci-fi movie necessary. Thank you, Jason. for this exciting new piece.
***“Sheer Dogged Stubbornness” (2023) by Evelyn Pursley-Kopitzke, begins with a musical question, “What is possible?” It’s answered by goals and actions, which become progress. Then, disaster strikes. Disappointment and grief ensue. In the midst of grieving, the sound of hope (glockenspiel) intervenes, resulting in stubborn determination: more action and progress. The full ensemble joins to crescendo into the finale: triumph. Thank you, Dr. Sorah and WME for bringing my new music to live.
***“Equality, Justice, and Peace for All” (2023) Dr. Donald Sorah. Inspired by the words of 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzay, the contemplative sentiments and the title of this piece could easily be sung to Dr. Sorah’s themes. The words and mood fit perfectly. And yes, it needs a festival mass chorus singing with the winds.
Frank Pugh’s 2020 Beowulf Fantasy, Movement I.“Beowulf Sails to Heorot.” Reminiscent of Holst’s “Mars” and action movie music, this musical voyage begins with a purposeful theme which grows into a driving heraldic, heroic voyage. It calms briefly for sea chantey and then continues the relentless drive to the end. I would be totally unsurprised to hear this in the actual sound track of a Beowulf or similar action movie.
The Winds of the Mountain Empire, founded by conductor Dr. Donald Sorah in 2006, is a professional wind ensemble comprised of musicians primarily from the southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee, and southeast Kentucky region. This concert once again proves that new music is alive and growing in our region.
Thank you for sharing your music with us.
Evelyn Pursley-Kopitzke, Composer
https://pursleykopitzke.com/ https://pursleykopitzke.com/biography/