American Rhapsody (2017)
Euphonium, Piano and Percussionist
I. Colorado Eagle
II. Windy City Heartbreak
III. At Matt Torrey’s
Difficulty: 6
Duration: c. 15 minutes
Publisher: Tom Davoren Music
American Rhapsody was composed for Glenn Van Looy and Brassband Buizingen, conducted by Dr. Luc Vertommen. The reduction for piano and percussionist was premiered at the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band Festival in 2018.
The title American Rhapsody is perhaps a little deceiving, the music itself not being directly impacted by specific American musical material or indeed influenced by any facet of wider American culture. The piece is more autobiographical, representing small collection of the the composer’s personal experiences of the United States, realised here through a continuous musical narrative.
The opening movement, Colorado Eagle, refers to a visit to Lake Granby near Denver. The lake itself is manmade by the Granby Dam, stretching some 65 kilometres along the western entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park. On a clear and bright day the rippling of the deep blue lake water seemed almost to blend into the skyline, with any defining line of horizon softened by full white clouds and snowcapped peaks. A single bald eagle, impressive in size, was seemingly effortless in flight only feet above the water.
Windy City Heartbreak was composed during my first visit to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic 2012, in Chicago, Illinois. Though I fell in love with the city immediately a personal cloud hung over the trip, equally lacing the music with optimism and heartbreak.
If you’re lucky enough to have performed with Brooklyn Wind Symphony then chances are you’ve spent a night At Matt Torrey’s. It’s the very image of a rustic American bar, set in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The dark wood, dim lighting and ambient tunes provide a perfect release from the momentum of the work day’s traffic, trains and jam packed sidewalks. After dark Matt’s springs to life as an atmospheric hive of conversation, laughter and music.
II. Windy City Heartbreak
III. At Matt Torrey’s
Difficulty: 6
Duration: c. 15 minutes
Publisher: Tom Davoren Music
American Rhapsody was composed for Glenn Van Looy and Brassband Buizingen, conducted by Dr. Luc Vertommen. The reduction for piano and percussionist was premiered at the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band Festival in 2018.
The title American Rhapsody is perhaps a little deceiving, the music itself not being directly impacted by specific American musical material or indeed influenced by any facet of wider American culture. The piece is more autobiographical, representing small collection of the the composer’s personal experiences of the United States, realised here through a continuous musical narrative.
The opening movement, Colorado Eagle, refers to a visit to Lake Granby near Denver. The lake itself is manmade by the Granby Dam, stretching some 65 kilometres along the western entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park. On a clear and bright day the rippling of the deep blue lake water seemed almost to blend into the skyline, with any defining line of horizon softened by full white clouds and snowcapped peaks. A single bald eagle, impressive in size, was seemingly effortless in flight only feet above the water.
Windy City Heartbreak was composed during my first visit to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic 2012, in Chicago, Illinois. Though I fell in love with the city immediately a personal cloud hung over the trip, equally lacing the music with optimism and heartbreak.
If you’re lucky enough to have performed with Brooklyn Wind Symphony then chances are you’ve spent a night At Matt Torrey’s. It’s the very image of a rustic American bar, set in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The dark wood, dim lighting and ambient tunes provide a perfect release from the momentum of the work day’s traffic, trains and jam packed sidewalks. After dark Matt’s springs to life as an atmospheric hive of conversation, laughter and music.