“Chicago Moves” – Works of JOAN TOWER, JAMES WOODWARD, JOHN CHEETHAM, BRIAN BAXTER, STACY GARROP, ROB DEEMER & DAVID SAMPSON – Gaudete Brass – Cedille

by John Sunier | Jan 14, 2014 | Classical CD Reviews

“Chicago Moves” – Works of JOAN TOWER, JAMES WOODWARD, JOHN CHEETHAM, BRIAN BAXTER, STACY GARROP, ROB DEEMER & DAVID SAMPSON [TrackList follows] – Gaudete Brass – Cedille Records CDR90000 136, 63:00 [Distr. by Naxos] *****:

This is a CD of contemporary pieces for the brass quintet, all of the selections written in from 2006 to 2011. In fact, with the exception of Copperwave by Joan Tower, all the other pieces were written for the Gaudete Brass and are receiving their premieres on this album. The CD comes with a very detailed booklet covering a brief history of the brass quintet, bios of each composer, very interesting note on the compositions and the quintet itself. The Gaudete Brass are a relatively young group, founded in 2004 and have been very active, commissioning new works, creating their own editions of Renaissance works, and performing with a wide variety of artists and venues.

James Woodward is an up and coming composer and teaches music theory and composition at Jacksonville State University. Woodward supplies the first track: Gaudete, appropriately the groups’ first commissioned work. A dynamic piece to start off the album, it is not a fanfare, but fits the meaning of the word “Gaudete,” which is “rejoice.”

John Cheetham’s Sonata for Brass Quintet: I was already familiar with Cheetham from my college brass quintet and looked forward to hearing his new work; it did not disappoint. Cheetham’s Sonata for Brass Quintet is a fun, light and spirited romp for both the ensemble and the listener. With its driving rhythms and lyrical melody lines in the first and last movement and the sonorous choral writing in the slower second movement again reminds me why I so enjoy his writing.

Brian Baxter’s “A Great Commercial City” was written in 2011 inspired by the city of Chicago. Slow ponderous opening brass chords set the opening leading into the hustle and bustle which makes up a city. Baxter uses the folk song “El-a-noy” as the melodic germ for the composition and intertwines it throughout the piece in very interesting ways; distorting it, but never so much as it cannot be heard.

Stacy Garrop’s composition is a description of the Greek god of the sun Helios on his daily journey across the sky. Dynamic rhythmic writing harkens the break of the day as the Sun begins its race through the sky and, very appropriately, the work ends in a very subtle way; as the day ends and the world’s slides into its nigh time sojourn.

Rob Deemer’s “Brass” uses three different movements to explore three aspects of the brass instruments. Bell – this is not the bell of the brass instrument, but a particular style of articulation, commonly called “bell tone” where the note is played with an accent and then diminuendo, emulating the sound of a struck bell. Mute – due to the closed nature of a brass instrument (the only opening are at the ends, unlike woodwinds which are perforated), inserting mutes in the bell dramatically changes the tone color of the instrument. Trumpets and trombones have the largest selection of different mutes, while the horn usually works with just two and the tube just one, but the size makes up for the limited selection. As the title indicates the mute is the focus on this more sober movement. Slide – while the trombone is indeed the master of the slide, the other brass can and do get to play around with the technique in this jazzy last movement.

David Sampson provides the title work Chicago Moves four movements based on a landmark place in Chicago; Grant Park, The Spaghetti Bowl, Loop Lament and Lake Shore Drive. In this work Sampson uses “third stream” style; it is a merging of classical and jazz styles, and uses voice-writing that is usually used for string and vocal groups.

Joan Tower’s Copperwave closes the album. While the only work not receiving its premier this is the premier of the work arranged for brass quintet. The piece has its inspiration in her father who was a geologist and mining engineer. In Ms. Tower’s own words about the piece and title “…Copper is heavy but flexible [and] the piece move[s] in waves, sometimes heavy ones and at other times lighter”, with a hint of Latin rhythms referencing her time in South America.

I found “Chicago Moves” an extremely enjoyable album; the Gaudete brass shine with a stellar sound, and a wonderful sense of ensemble playing. The recording shows off the power and flexibly of the brass quintet’s sound and abilities. It also is a showcase for the very approachable, witty and enjoyable compositions of some of America’s modern composers.

TrackList:

JAMES WOODWARD (b. 1978)

1 Gaudete (2007) (3:11)

JOHN CHEETHAM (b. 1939)

Sonata for Brass Quintet (2008) (12:03)

2 I. Moderato (3:45)

3 II. Andante (5:07)

4 III. Animato (3:05)

BRIAN BAXTER (b. 1985)

5 A Great Commercial City (2011) (6:01)

STACY GARROP (b. 1969)

6 Helios (2011) (4:27)