Composer to premiere pieces at recital
Three Eastern music professors and a professional pianist will premiere two compositions by David Sampson at the Faculty Brass Recital on Friday.
Although the pieces “Powell’s Trio” and “Just Keep Moving” were both composed in 2009 and 2010, Friday’s recital will be the first time either piece has been played publicly.
The recital begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Doudna Fine Arts Center.
The pieces will be played by faculty members Jemmie Robertson, Jamie Ryan and Katherine McBain, with Cara Chowning accompanying on the piano.
Sampson said this is because they were originally composed for an American Brass Quintet album, which has not yet been recorded.
“It wasn’t planned to have them premiere this way, but albums take a while,” Sampson said. “Both were written for the album, which is a collection that could be played at a full recital.”
Sampson said he gets his inspiration to compose from a variety of sources, including events, family members, literature and friendships.
Robertson, a music professor, said the evening recital is the culmination of Sampson’s residency, which includes master’s classes and lectures throughout the day Friday and Saturday.
“We are able to bring the composer here to campus due to generous funding from the John S. and Margaret Redden Fund for the Improvement of Undergraduate Instruction,” Robertson said.
He said Michael Powell, a trumpet player in the American Brass Quintet, inspired “Powell’s Trio.”
“Sometimes a composition is inspired by a player, like with the Powell piece,” Sampson said. “It has a lot of light and lyrical spots, which are things he does well. Often when you write for a specific musician, you try to play to their strengths.”
In contrast, he said “Just Keep Moving” is about an event in his life.
“It is about the death of my mother and what to do after a loss,” Sampson said. “Yes, you are supposed to mourn, but ultimately it is about keeping going and letting life go on.”
Robertson organized the recital after meeting Sampson at a performance last year.
“I’ve been fascinated and moved by his music for years,” Robertson said. “It is complex and challenging, yet meaningful on an emotional level. I met David Sampson last year at a premiere of another work of his and it all came together from there.”
Ryan, a music professor, said Robertson approached him about the recital about six months ago.
Afterward, Ryan spent his summer practicing for the recital.
“It’s exciting that we get to perform the pieces for the first time, we get to put our own spin on it,” Ryan said. “There is a lot of internal pressure to put on a great performance for the composer who is hearing his work preformed for the first time.”
Amy Wywialowski can be reached at 581-2812
