Tonight the Lawrence University Wind Ensemble will remember Frederick Fennell. The world-renowned conductor brought the wind ensemble into the spotlight with his recording of Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in E-flat.” Fennell passed away last December, leaving a legacy of wind music to the world.
First on the program is Janacek’s “Sokol Fanfare,” the first movement of his Sinfonietta from 1926. The piece is scored for nine trumpets, two bass trumpets, two tenor tubas, and a timpani, creating an enormous brassy sound that will sound good in the Chapel.
The two contemporary compositions on the program are markedly different in motivation. “Symphonies of Gaia,” written by Oregon resident and environmentalist Jayce Ogren, celebrates Mother Earth with congas, shakers, and log drums. Mahr’s “Mourning Dances” is written for a student who died at the school where Mahr teaches. The piece consists of a series of memories and emotions that relate to the death of this student.
The highlight of the concert is Arnold Schoenberg’s “Theme and Variations,” originally written for a high school band. The piece, though technically tonal, follows Schoenberg’s typical methods of manipulation *******– using just a few motives to build an entire piece.
The Lawrence Wind Ensemble will also perform the piece that Fennell made so famous ********– the Holst “First Suite in E-flat.” This piece, a staple of wind band literature, will mark the end of an amazing career for Fennell.
The Lawrence Wind Ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. in the Chapel.
Wind Ensemble to remember Fred Fennell -rws -jcr -dlh
