Wind Ensemble bids seniors farewell
Kris Miranda
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Other pieces standing out for this reviewer were José Franco's "Agüero a Paso-Doble" and Joseph Hellmesberger's "Danse Diabolique." Paso-Doble ("two-step") is a Spanish dance style "developed on the basis of movements performed by the matadors during bullfights," Thomas explained in the program. Franco's "Agüero" fit Thomas' description as being meant to accompany "one of the most dramatic dances you will ever see," evoking the sweep and fiery glamour of bullfighting's romanticized ideal. Hellmesberger's "Diabolique," written in the Phrygian mode once rumored to create something of a sinister atmosphere, alternated between being frolicsome and frenzied, less a theme for evil than for chaos and mischief.
Introducing the last piece of the night, Thomas managed to say it "was composed by Jack Davidson" before friends of Davidson '08 in the audience erupted into cheers. Thomas himself lauded him as "ridiculously multifaceted," great at everything he does-handy for someone who does everything.
In the program notes for his composition, "A Shot in the Dark," Davidson related the four-year process behind it. Begun in his junior year of high school when he had no music theory training, it was originally for ten percussion instruments under the name "Variance in Voice." When Davidson saw a poster on Thomas' office door (a feat in itself, Thomas insisted, considering the apparently-remote location of said office) for a young composers' competition, he jumped at the challenge of composing for a concert band with over two dozen instruments.
The rhythm-driven piece was quite varied in its less than eight minutes, opening "with a slower section that sounds simple and is easy to listen to" (wrote Davidson) before building into something one might not be surprised to hear on an adventure movie soundtrack, and later something reminiscent of carnivals. This led into an ambitiously multi-layered and very dynamic percussion-only section over a minute long in the last third of the piece before the rest of the band came back in for a cheery finish. Davidson more than met his goal to create a piece "light-hearted and fun." While in technical terms it may be simple compared to work by Vivaldi or Bach, as an aural treat it certainly held its own.
Davidson will remain next year, along with four fellow rising seniors and five underclassmen. Completing the Ensemble (and recognized by Thomas near show's end) are local high schoolers, community volunteers, and some professional musicians.
Introducing the last piece of the night, Thomas managed to say it "was composed by Jack Davidson" before friends of Davidson '08 in the audience erupted into cheers. Thomas himself lauded him as "ridiculously multifaceted," great at everything he does-handy for someone who does everything.
In the program notes for his composition, "A Shot in the Dark," Davidson related the four-year process behind it. Begun in his junior year of high school when he had no music theory training, it was originally for ten percussion instruments under the name "Variance in Voice." When Davidson saw a poster on Thomas' office door (a feat in itself, Thomas insisted, considering the apparently-remote location of said office) for a young composers' competition, he jumped at the challenge of composing for a concert band with over two dozen instruments.
The rhythm-driven piece was quite varied in its less than eight minutes, opening "with a slower section that sounds simple and is easy to listen to" (wrote Davidson) before building into something one might not be surprised to hear on an adventure movie soundtrack, and later something reminiscent of carnivals. This led into an ambitiously multi-layered and very dynamic percussion-only section over a minute long in the last third of the piece before the rest of the band came back in for a cheery finish. Davidson more than met his goal to create a piece "light-hearted and fun." While in technical terms it may be simple compared to work by Vivaldi or Bach, as an aural treat it certainly held its own.
Davidson will remain next year, along with four fellow rising seniors and five underclassmen. Completing the Ensemble (and recognized by Thomas near show's end) are local high schoolers, community volunteers, and some professional musicians.
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