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Echoes contains
exciting compositions for euphonium ensemble, tuba ensemble, and
tuba-euphonium ensemble by composers, Sy Brandon and Mark Scott.
Click here to read reviews of this CD.
Sy Brandon is a professor emeritus of music from Millersville
University, Millersville,
PA. He has received numerous commissions and honors including 1st place
in WITF-FM's 25th Anniversary Composition Contest, the El Dorado Sacred
Music Composition Contest, Franklin and Marshall College’s Wind
Ensemble Composition Contest, and the New England String Ensemble
Composition Contest. His music has been recorded by the Czech National
Symphony Orchestra, thePhilharmonia Bulgarica, the Kiev Philharmonic
and has been performed both throughout the United States and abroad
including performances by the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force
Bands and on NPR’s Performance Today. A complete bio, discography, and
catalog is available at
http://cooppress.hostrack.net
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Mark Scott graduated high school cum
laude in 2003 and began collegiate music studies later that year. Fall
2006 is Mark’s seventh semester at the University of North Texas where
he studies Trombone Performance with Jan Kagarice and Music Composition
with Cindy McTee. As a trombonist, Mark has performed with the Concert
Band, Five O’Clock Lab Band, Basketball Band, Trombone Choir, and with
several trombone quartets. Currently, Mark plays trombone andpiano in
the UNT Symphonic Band. As a composer, Mark hasrecently focused on
writing large ensemblemusic, having heardworks performed by the UNT
Symphony Orchestra and Marching Band in concert and outdoors. Mark
holds membershipin the International Trombone Association, Texas Music
Educator’s Association, and the American Music Center. More information
on Mark and his music is available at
http://www.dominantshadow.com
Click
on the title to purchase the sheet music
Echoes (2005) (8 part Double Euphonium or
Trombone Choir) - This work was commissioned by Adam Frey for the 2005
International Euphonium Institute. The work is in one movement with
four sections. The first and last sections are Allegro and explore
antiphonal choir echoes and pyramids. The second section is Adagio and
continues the antiphonal echoes between choirs and adds a fading echo
in several measures. The third section explores echoes in a scherzo
style. The harmonic language is tonal. Published by Co-op Press.
Recorded live at the 2005 International Euphonium Institute with Dr.
Robert Ambrose conducting.
In Remembrance, September 11, 2001
- (2001) (3 euphs., 1 tuba) - This work was commissioned by the
Euphouria Quartet. The composition reflects the composer's feelings
about the tragic events of that fateful day. The first movement,
“Fanfares To Fallen Heroes”, is a tribute to the brave firemen,
policemen and rescue workers who tirelessly and fearlessly risked and
sacrificed their lives in order to save the lives of others. The
movement is permeated with fanfare motives that reflect both the
bravery displayed and the danger that these people faced. The second
movement, “Elegy To The Innocent”, is a tribute to all the innocent
victims and their loved ones who have suffered at the hands of the
terrorists. The outer sections have a dirge-like rhythm underpinning a
sorrowful melody. The middle section contrasts the dirge by giving a
sense of comfort to all that have suffered. The third movement,
“Justice”, represents the struggle and resolve of the United States of
America and its allies to eliminate terrorism. Battle motives alternate
with a heroic theme throughout the movement. The last movement, “Prayer
For Peace”, represents a hope that all the people of the world can
achieve the tolerance and understanding we need to live in harmony and
in a civilized manner. The chaconne form is used to represent the
uniting of voices as the prayer grows in intensity from beginning to
end. Published by Tuba-Euphonium Press. Recorded live at the 2002 ITEA
Conference.
Suite Francaise Moderne (2004) (
4 euphs., 2 tubas) - This composition, composed for the University of
Arkansas Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble, uses movements that are typically
found in the Baroque French Suite but are cast in a 21st century style.
The first movement is in the style of a French Overture with a moderate
first section with dotted rhythm figures and a contrapuntal
second half in a faster tempo. The second movement is a Rigaudon with
its lively 2/2 tempo. It provides a nice contrast to the stately first
movement with its lightness and more chromatic melodic material. The
third movement is a Loure in 3/4. The characteristic dotted quarter,
eighth, quarter rhythm is present, though it is often disguised. This
is a very lyrical movement with lush harmony. The last movement is a
Gigue with its 6/8 meter, wide intervals and contrapuntal writing.
Published by Co-op Press. Recorded live in 2004 at the University of
Arkansas.
Delights and Dangers
(euphonium quartet) (2005) - This composition was inspired by Leonard
Bernstein’s Harvard University Lecture called “The Delights and Dangers
of Ambiguity”, in which Bernstein discussed ways that composers
had made sounds “ambiguous”. Bernstein cited Debussy’s Prelude to the
Afternoon of a Faun and Wagner’s Preulde to Tristan and Isolde, two
pieces which have very special places in Mark Scott’s heart. Reflecting
upon these pieces and Bernstein’s notions, Scott became interested in
using half-steps and minor thirds to create musical ambiguities of his
own. Adapting his title from Bernstein and some harmonic motions from
Ravel, Scott created a series of musical ambiguities that sound both
delightful and dangerous. The work is in two sections, a slow section
followed immediately by a fast section.The music is available from the
composer’s web site at www.dominantshadow.com. Recorded live in 2006 at
the University of North Texas.
Recital Duets (2 Tubas) (1981)
- This seven movement work ranges in expressiveness from fanfares to
love duets and is in a modal language that is based in shifting
tonality. Published by Tuba-Euphonium Press. Benjamin Pierce performs
both parts on this recording.
Quartet for Tubas (1982) (2
euphs., 2 tubas) - This one movement work begins with a lyrical andante
section that leads into a rhythmic allegro in 3/4. At the end of the
allegro, the andante material returns but in a faster tempo. This leads
into a short fugue which is followed by a recapitulation of the andante
material and a short coda of the allegro material. Published by
Tuba-Euphonium Press. Recorded live in 2003 at the University of
Arkansas.
Reviews
ECHOES, a CD of tuba and euphonium
ensemble music by composers Sy Brandon and Mark Scott released in 2006
(Emeritus Records - 20061), provides us with some fine performances of
works ranging from 1982 to 2005. The six compositions range in
instrumentation from Brandon's "Recital Duets" for two tubas to his
eight-part, double euphonium choir title work, "Echoes". Mark
Scott's only work on the recording, "Delights and Dangers", is for
euphonium quartet. These idiomatically written pieces for low
brass by the veteran composer Brandon and Mr. Scott, who is an
undergraduate student at the University of North Texas, are challenging
and substantial works that are appropriate for professional and
advanced college level performers. The performances on this
recording are quite fine, particularly considering that with the
exception of Brandon's duets (nicely played by University of Arkansas
Professor of Tuba and Euphonium Benjamin Pierce) they are all
recordings of live performances. Brandon's other works are
performed by an ensemble from the 2005 International Euphonium
Institute, The Euphouria Quartet, and the University of Arkansas
Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble (no players from these groups are listed on the
CD). Scott's work is very well played by a quartet of outstanding
euphonium students from the University of North Texas. The
excitement of live performance is an important element of this
recording. The performances are all compelling, but my personal
favorite piece on the CD is the opening selection and title cut,
"Echoes", commissioned by Adam Frey for the 2005 International
Euphonium Institute.
John Stevens
Professor of Tuba and Euphonium - Composer
University of Wisconsin-Madison
ECHOES
– Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble Music
Sy Brandon, having achieved emeritus status from
Millersville University, has been freed to compose and champion works
for tuba and euphonium. This Emeritus Recordings 2006 release, Echoes,
succeeds as a vehicle both for showing excellent examples of works
commissioned from Mr. Brandon’s “prolific pen”, and capturing the
excitement of live concert performances from several recent
international conferences. While all of the pieces recorded on this CD
are strong, four of the featured works which were composed 2001 or
later, succeed in presenting modern harmony and musical effects while
not sacrificing one ounce of beauty, lyricism, or rich texture. Mark
Scott, A composition/trombone student at the University of North Texas,
also has a quartet composition included on this CD. The harmonic
treatment in Mark’s quartet, Delights and Dangers, was inspired by a
Leonard Bernstein lecture. While all the compositions and performances
on the CD are strong and uplifting, there is a slight drawback with a
compilation format CD, in that the sound quality and recording depth
are not always consistent. I do however enjoy the sound of live concert
recordings as opposed to the sometimes “too perfect” studio clean
track. The scores/parts for these recorded works can be ordered through
the Tuba-Euphonium Press, Co-op Press, or in Mark Scott’s case, from
his web site www.dominantshadow.com. These works range from tuba duo
(performed single handedly by Dr. Benjamin Pierce) to the classic tuba/
euphonium ensemble, to double euphonium choir. They exemplify what
excellent new music is being produced through commissioned works and
the ongoing Co-op Press recording contest projects.
Phillip C. Black
Assistant Professor of Tuba/Euphonium, Wichita State University
Principal Tubist, Wichita Symphony Orchestra
“Echoes”, a 2006 release from Emeritus Recordings features the
compositions of Sy Brandon, professor emeritus of music from
Millersville University, and Mark Scott, a composition/trombone student
from the University of North Texas. The recording, which features
mostly live performances (all but one are recorded live) is a wonderful
way to get acquainted with the tuba/euphonium music of two fine
American composers, as well as being aurally interesting and a
delightful listening experience. It is a really nice change of pace to
hear a recording that features live performances, all of which are very
strong. Scott’s “Delights and Dangers” is given a tour-de-force
performance by four outstanding euphonium players from the University
of North Texas. Dr. Benjamin Pierce, from the University of Arkansas,
delivers a fine performance of both parts of Brandon’s “Recital Duets”,
the only non-live recording on the CD. Additional performers are the
International Euphonium Institute 2005 Crimson Ensemble, The Euphouria
Quartet, and the University of Arkansas Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble –
individual musicians from these ensembles are not listed on the CD. All
of the works featured on this recording are substantial, advanced
compositions that are definitely worthy of consideration, providing
music for the performer that is both musically and technically
challenging, and music for the listener that is refreshing and
exciting. Brandon’s works are available from Co-op Press at
http://cooppress.hostrack.net and Scott’s from
http://www.dominantshadow.com .
Matthew K. Brown
Artist Faculty – Tuba and Euphonium
The Pennsylvania Academy of Music
“Echoes” contains good examples of the music being written for this
particular type of instrumental combination. All the compositions
on the CD are by composer Sy Brandon except for one. The title
tune, “Echoes”, is for eight part double euphonium choir. It has
some nice tonal writing and is somewhat rhythmic in the allegro
sections. The piece is very much in an antiphonal style. The
international Euphonium Institute Crimson Ensemble performs this piece
quite nicely with good blend and balance. “In Remembrance,
September 11, 2001” is a piece for three euphoniums and one tuba.
The piece is in four movements, with the third and fourth movements
connected. It contains some good thematic material in the first
and third movements and some nice musical moments in the second and
fourth movements. The Euphoria Quartet did a good job on the
performance. The “Suite Francaise Moderne” is an interesting
piece with solid rhythmic writing in the first, second, and third
movements. It has some technical challenges for both the
Euphoniums and Tubas. The University of Arkansas Tuba/Euphonium
Ensemble performs this piece and does so with few difficulties.
One of my favorite pieces on this CD is the “Delights and Dangers” by
Mark Scott. The UNT Euphonium Quartet gives a very solid
performance with nice blend, balance, and musicality. The piece
has a nice melody with occasional non-tonal chords put in. The
slow section begins to get darker in mood and then goes right into the
“Dangers” part of the piece. This section contains some fun
technical passages and has a driving feel to it. The “Recital
Duets” make for great sight-reading material or just something fun to
play with a friend. They are not technically demanding and would
work for most advanced high school students and college level
students. Ben Pierce plays them with a nice full, focused sound
and with nice musical taste. The final piece on the CD is the
Quartet for tubas. This is another one of my favorite pieces on
this album. A nice melody and tonal writing make this piece very
enjoyable. Again, this piece is performed nicely by the
University of Arkansas Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble. I found that the
more I listened to this CD, the more I was enjoying it. For
anyone looking for some tuba/euphonium ensemble music, I would
recommend this CD for some good ideas.
Rommel Cordova is tubist for the Rockwall Philharmonic Orchestra and
the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra. As an active soloist, he has
performed a number of recitals and has been a featured artist with
bands in Southeast, East, and Northeast Texas. Rommel has also been a
performer at the 1999 Texas Music Educators Association conference in
San Antonio, the 1998, 2000 and 2004 International Tuba/Euphonium
Conferences and was on a performance tour of Europe in July of
2000. He performed a recital at the Texas Regional Tuba/Euphonium
Conference in 2003 and 2005
