Solo Brass: New Perspectives

various artists compilation - Solo Brass: New Perspectives

LP released sometime in the 1970s

Para-Tangents (1973) for trumpet and pre-recorded sounds

composed by Aurelio de la Vega

Performer:

Thomas Stevens - trumpet

PARA-TANGENTS is a virtuoso work for the solo trumpet, which climbs high and sinks low (pedal tones) throughout the work. Quick passages alternate with lyrical ones, and all kinds of attacks, articulations and use of several mutes help to create a varied aural spectrum. The work was written in close consultation with Thomas Stevens, to whom it is dedicated and who premieres the piece in this recording. In the concert version of PARA-TANGENTS certain passages for the trumpet, that are played "alive" in this record, will be pre-recorded and incorporated to the tape at certain points, mainly in the second "cadenza" which is a veritable "tour de force" for the soloist.
PARA-TANGENTS establishes a dialogue between the trumpet and the pre-recorded sounds in which thematic elements are stated, developed, transformed, atomized and presented again. The pre-recorded sounds, although maintaining an identity of their own, also establish a series of related events. The work has two "cadenzas" for the trumpet, one rather short, about half way through the piece (centering around middle C), and another longer near the end. The sounds were created at the Electronic Music Studio of California State University at Northridge. Mr. Peter Davison assisted in the preparation of the taped sounds, which were created using two Putney synthesizers and several other electronically modified sound sources. (George Skapsi)

Concertazioni (1973) for solo trumpet, 6 instruments, and 4 (a2) channel tape amp.

Composed by Henri Lazarof

Performers:

Thomas Stevens - "D" trumpet and "Bb" flugelhorn
Ann Diener Giles - flute and alto flute
Merritt Buxbaum - clarinet and bass clarinet
Ralph Pyle - French horn
Daniel Rothmuller - cello
Dorothy Remsen - harp
Henri Lazarof - conductor

CONCERTAZIONI (1973) was written for Thomas Stevens. The idea for the work came while working on SPECTRUM - a large scale composition for Solo Trumpet and Orchestra which uses a group of 6 instruments (flute, clarinet, harp, vibes, horn, cello) as "concertati". The same six instruments constitute in CONCERTAZIONI a sonorous canvas against which the Solo Trumpet explores, examines and displays its variegated part, at times fortified by a 4-channel tape of pre-recorded trumpets or flugelhorns. (Fred Dutton)

The Yellow Bird (1971-72) for tuba and rhythm section

Composed by Fred Tackett

Performers:

Roger Bobo - tuba
Fred Tackett - guitar
Ralph Grierson - piano
Skip Mosher -bass
Ray Rich - drums

In Tennessee Williams' short story THE YELLOW BIRD, a yellow bird named Bobo serves as an intermediary between the Devil and the elder Tutwilder. Needless to say, there is no reason to believe a connection exists between Bobo the bird and Bobo the tubaist, save for comparatively supernatural performances in their respective mediums.
The piece was commissioned by, and written expressly for, Roger Bobo, with the hope that, the almost overwhelming physical demands on the tubaist not withstanding, the work would serve to extend the instrument's solo repertoire into an area previously left untried. The work was premiered at the California Institute of Technology in May, 1972.
The piece consists of three sections: FAST-NOT SO FAST-REAL FAST.
The opening section is in ABA form, with a guitar - tuba duet preceding the recapitulation of the opening material.
The second section is primarily an improvisatory vehicle for the individual performers. Out of a dream-like texture of guitars comes a melody played by the tuba, first in its entirety, then in an abridged form. This is followed by the improvised solos of the guitar, tuba, and piano. This section ends with a return of the original melody, heard this time in diminuition.
The third section opens with a tuba-drum duet which is followed by a fast, mixed-meter rhythmic section featuring the tuba as the lead voice. This section serves as an introduction to solos by the guitar, piano, and tuba. The piece closes with a cadenza in the form of a tuba quartet, with three pre-recorded tuba parts played by Mr. Bobo. (Fred Tackett)

Tracklisting:

Side One

1. Aurelio de la Vega - Para-Tangents {14:17}

2. Henri Lazarof - Concertazioni {8:20}

Side Two

1. Fred Tackett - The Yellow Bird {15:16}

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