Ashland University
Department of Music concludes a busy semester of live music with the
annual Variable Winds band concert under the direction of Leonard Salvo
and guest conductor Arie Lipsky on Sunday, May 5, 4:00 p.m. in Hugo
Young Theatre. With performances by the Ashland University Concert Band
and Ashland Area Community Concert Band, the program includes pieces of
celebration and songs along with an opportunity to recognize senior
Concert Band members for their dedication and contribution to the AU Band program. Admission to the concert is complimentary and open to the public.
The concert begins with the Ashland Area Community Concert Band under the direction of Mr. Salvo performing Vaclav Nelheybel's High Plains, a concert march in the
European Style which was commissioned to celebrate the 25th
anniversary of the High Plains Band Camp and its founder/director H.G.
Palmer. The second piece, Jubilance, An Overture by Caesar Giovannini
is a contemporary musical portrayal of exultation and of depression.
The music has an insistent drive, a restless energy that speaks
especially of the hectic life of the modern world. The one exception to
the general restlessness is the broad, singing melody in the middle of
the piece with the flutes then the clarinets, horns and lastly
saxophones while various percussion instruments are also prominent as a
kinetic, rhythmic thrust to propel the listener through the piece. AACCB
continues with Air for Band by Frank Erickson and concludes its portion of the concert with Sea Song Fantasy by John Wasson which was commissioned by
Symphonicity (the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach) and premiered for the
opening of their new concert hall in November 2007. The work features a wide
variety of sea shanties in various styles, ranging from well known
melodies to more obscure songs of the sea. All are combined into an exciting
work featuring virtually every instrument and family in the ensemble.
After a brief intermission, the Ashland University Concert
Band begins their portion of the concert under the direction of Mr.
Salvo with Donald Grantham's Exhilaration
and Midnight Cry from Southern Harmony which has a somewhat
exotic sound to
modern audiences with harmonizations that are
regarded as inventive, unique, and powerfully representative of the
American
character. The concert continues with Percy Grainger's Lincolnshire
Posy, which has been recognized as a cornerstone of the wind band
repertoire. Commissioned by the American Bandmasters Association and
premiered at their
convention with the composer conducting, "This bunch of 'musical
wildflowers" is based on folksongs
collected in Lincolnshire, England in six movements of which the Concert Band will present four including the first, second, fifth and sixth (Lisbon, Horkstow
Grang, Lord Melbourne and Lost Lady
Found, respectively).
Guest conductor Maestro Lipsky will then direct Procession of Nobles
by Nikolai
Rimsky-Korsakov which was transcribed for concert
band by Erik Leidzen. With an opening brass fanfare
announcing the entry of the nobility in this cortege
from the opera "Mlada," woodwinds provide the regal flourishes
that embellish the work. In his capacity as Artist in Residence
for Ashland University, Lipsky's duties include working with students, performing groups and addressing classes
in the Department of Music. As guest conductor, the AU Concert Band looks
forward to his expertise, energy and enthusiasm. This is a true benefit of our music
students, music program and the entire community. Arie is a truly world-class
musician, and it is a rare opportunity for our students and faculty to work
closely with someone of his stature.
Mr.
Salvo returns to the conductor's podium for Variations on a Korean Folk
Song by
John Barnes Chance. While stationed with the U.S. Army in Korea in the
late 1950s,
Chance became fascinated by the popular folk melody “Arirang,” using it
as the basis for his Variations on a Korean Folk Song. “Arirang” is a
traditional Korean
song of love and heartbreak, possibly originating 1000 years ago. The
pentatonic theme is heard at the outset of this composition and is
contrasted with five variations. In 1966, this piece received the
Ostwald Award
from the American Bandmasters Association. To close the concert, the AU
Concert Band will perform Esprit de Corps by Robert Jager. Based on The Marines' Hymn,
this work is a fantasy-march, as well as a tribute to the United States
Marine Band. Full of energy and drama, the composition has its solemn moments
and its lighter moments.
