Program

  • Bookmarks from Japan, Mvt. 2 Nihonbashi - Market Bridge (2013)
    by Julie Giroux (1961)
    Musica Propria, Inc.

    David Mobley, conductor

    Hiroshige Ando (1797-1858) traveled the Tokaido from Edo to Kyoto in 1832. The official party he was traveling with were transporting horses which were gifts to be offered to the Imperial court. The journey greatly inspired Hiroshige for he sketched many of its scenes during his round trip travels. In all, Hiroshige produced 55 prints for the series The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido. Fifty three of the prints represent each of the 53 post stations along the way. The two additional prints are of the starting and ending points. The post stations offered food, lodging and stables for travelers of the Tokaido Highway.

    This movement is composed for Hiroshige's Leaving Edo : Nihonbashi, The Bridge of Japan and is number 1/55 in the series of prints.

    The Nihonbashi Bridge was the central point of development of what is now a business district of Chuo, Tokyo, Japan aptly named the Nihonbashi District. For centuries it thrived as a mercantile district. The first department store ever developed in Japan was by the Mitsui family named Mitsukoshi. From its early days as a fish market to the current financial district of Tokyo (and Japan), this bridge spanning the Nihonbashi River is a true landmark in Tokyo. In fact, highway signs that state the distance to Tokyo actually state the distance to the Nihonbashi bridge. Up until shortly before 1964, you could see Mount Fuji from the bridge however the 1964 Summer Olympics put in a raised expressway over the Nihonbashi bridge, obscuring its view entirely. Petitions to relocate the expressway underground in order to regain view of Mount Fuji are continuous but so far have been futile due to the costs for such a project.

  • Take to the Wind (2023)
    by Somesh Yathem (2003
    Manuscript

    WORLD PREMIER

    Take to the Wind is a combination of Brazilian influences in Bossa Nova and Samba styles for clarinet ensemble. The piece is characterized by its constant energy that attempts to evoke the spirit of dance and the atmosphere of the Brazilian Carnival. With further nods to jazz and cinematic soundtrack styles, Take to the Wind is truly a reflection of unfiltered, celebratory vibrancy.

    Somesh Yathem is a Round Rock High School graduate, Class of 2022. While a member of Round Rock High School Dragon Band, Somesh was a Percussion Section Leader, a finalist in the Young Artists Competition and a TMEA All State percussionist.

  • A Picture Book Without Pictures (2006)
    by Masanori Taruya (1978)
    Bravo Music

    Maanasa Mahesh, conductor

    A picture book without a picture captures the city of Pompeii when Mount Vesuvius erupted, causing many deaths. At first, a girl wanders the city singing, then comes lamentations to those affected by the volcanic eruption, with hopes for the future. The latter part is a reflection on the past city.

  • Escher Sketches (2022)
    by David Perkins (1978)
    Apollo Studios Music Publishing

    1. TESSELLATIONS

    2. RELATIVITIES

    3. METAMORPHOSES

    ​​​Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972) is one of the world’s most famous graphic artists, known for playing with architecture, perspective, and impossible spaces. Born in the Netherlands, he traveled to Italy and Spain early in his career, and was fascinated by the mosaic tilings of the Alhambra Castle and the Mezquita of Cordoba. During his lifetime, Escher made 448 lithographs, woodcuts and wood engravings and more than 2000 drawings and sketches. In addition to his work as a graphic artist, he illustrated books and designed carpets, banknotes, stamps, and murals. His art continues to amaze and wonder millions of people around the world.

    ESCHER SKETCHES for Solo Bass Voice and Flexible Accompaniment/Chamber Ensemble interprets Escher's preferred techniques in three movements: TESSELLATIONS, RELATIVITIES, & METAMORPHOSES.

  • Lazarus (2005)
    by Rika Ishige (1982)
    Bravo Music

    Chaitanya Dandekar, conductor

    St. Lazarus is one of the most significant annual rituals in Bulgaria. The young dress in folk costumes and walk from village to village to perform dances and songs in honor of coming spring. Rika Ishige studied Bulgarian folk songs before writing this piece, and was overwhelmed by the energetic power of their sung voice and unique rhythms. The theme of first half is invocation and ritual with slow tempo. From the middle section, imagine a carnival at a quicker pace.

  • Simple Prelude (2013)
    by Martin Blessinger
    Brolga Music Publishing Company

    The composer writes:
    A Simple Prelude is a short work written for the wedding ceremony of my friends Darrin and Julie May Hicks, to whom the piece is dedicated. This prelude exists as both marimba and clarinet quartets.

  • Cornfield Chase from Interstellar (2014, 2023)
    by Hans Zimmer (1957)
    arr. Somesh Yatham (2003)
    Somesh Yatham Publishing

    Originally composed by Hans Zimmer for the movie Interstellar, Cornfield Chase was an integral part in the shaping of cinematic scoring. Zimmer’s utilization of parsimony helped pave the road for modern day scoring and having won Best Original Score at the 2015 Oscars, inspired the next generation of composers ahead. His utilization of the organ was revolutionary for its time and established Cornfield Chase as one of the most widely recognized soundtracks to date.

  • Jupiter, from The Planets (1915, 2011)
    by Gustav Holst (1874-1934), arr. Matt Johnson
    ArrangeMe

    The Planets, composed for orchestra in 1915, is a suite of seven tone poems, each describing symbolically a different planet. The work had insistent odd meters of five and seven beats, thick streams of parallel triads, and an opulent instrumentation. The entire suite was first performed for a private audience in 1918, and in public, without Venus and Neptune, in 1919.
    Jupiter - The Bringer of Jollity is introduced by a genial, syncopated dance, appropriately so since a happy and festive mood is maintained throughout this movement. Holst’s love of English folk song and dance is readily demonstrated here. The middle section presents a surprising contrast - a majestic flowing melody in 3/4 meter which Holst later used for a patriotic song. This movement was transcribed for band by the composer in 1924.