CO-OP PRESS

Featuring the music of Sy Brandon

Celebration Overture (1995) - Celebration Overture was composed during August and September of 1995 in honor of WITF-FM's 25th Anniversary. It was selected as the winning composition in WITF-FM's Composition Competition from a field of over forty international entries and received its premiere by the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Richard Westerfield conducting on April 23, 1996. Subsequent performances have been given by the York Symphony Orchestra, the Reading Symphony Orchestra, and several university orchestras. During March 1997, the overture was recorded by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Paul Freeman for release as part of CD series entitled "Paul Freeman Introduces" on the Albany Label in 1998. This six minute overture alternates sections of fanfare-like figures with sections of playful rhythms and counterpoint. The overall form consists of two main sections that contrast each other and a middle section that serves as a development of previously stated material. The composition is an economical one as its material is derived primarily from the opening brass fanfare and the woodwind counter melody. The modal melodic and harmonic material is interwoven with polyrhythm, imitation, counterpoint, and timbral changes to create a composition reflective of the excitement of this celebration. Instrumentation: 2 fl. (2nd doubles on pic.), 2 ob., 2 cl., 2 bsn., 4 hn., 3 trpt., 3 trom., tuba, 5 perc., strings. Duration: 5:38 Grade 4. Score and parts $50.

This CD recording by Paul Freeman and the Czech National Symphony containing Sy Brandon's "Celebration Overture" is available through Co-op Press for $10