December 10, 2015
K-State Faculty Brass Quintet to present world premiere
The Kansas State University Faculty Brass Quintet will present the world premiere of "Bird, Bird, Blue Bird" by Eunhye Kim at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, in All Faiths Chapel.
Kim, one of South Korea's most distinguished composers, is professor of composition at the University of Suwon. Her compositions have been performed throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S., and have represented South Korea at several major international new music festivals. "Bird, Bird, Blue Bird" is a series of nine variations on a Korean folk song that commemorates Jeon Bong-jun, the leader of the failed Donghak Peasant Revolt in the late 19th century.
This concert will open with "My Spirit Be Joyful" from Cantata 146 by J.S. Bach. The "Septet for Brasses" by Edwin Gerschefski will follow. The "Septet," composed in 1938, was one of the most experimental brass compositions of its time, with its reliance on muted effects, percussive sounds and jazz rhythms. "Medley from 'Just for a Laugh'" by James Horner, composer of more than 100 film scores, including "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," "Titanic" and "Avatar," is based on excerpts from one of his earliest film scores. The concluding composition on the recital will be the invigorating "Bouncer" by Donald Grantham, professor of composition at the University of Texas.
Members of the Kansas State University Faculty Brass Quintet are Craig B. Parker and James Johnson, trumpets; Jacqueline Fassler-Kerstetter, horn; Paul Hunt, trombone; and Steve Maxwell, tuba. They will be assisted by horn player John Hanson, junior in music performance, and trombonist Paul Flesher, graduate student in mathematics.