ASO hosting first installment in series of chamber music recitals
Trending
The Altoona Symphony Orchestra will present a brass quintet recital featuring a variety of chamber music at 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1401 12th Ave.
This is the first in a series of chamber music recitals -- a new educational community outreach endeavor, according to executive director Janey Schwind. This first event features symphony musicians Kevin Eisensmith and Josh Hillard on trumpet, Sarah Schouten, French horn, Rob Keith, trombone, and Zach Collins, tuba, with special guest Claude Fabinyi on organ and Isaac Hillard, percussion.
"It's great to play live music -- it's why we do what we do," said Josh Hillard, who joined the ASO in 2008. "This gives brass aficionados or those who play brass instruments an opportunity to see the inner workings of what goes on as we perform and shows what the brass section is capable of when there is no other section to carry the melody. We're responsible for the whole performance."
Among the selections to be performed during the 90-minute recital are "Fugue in G Minor BWV 578," by J.S. Bach, (transcribed for brass quintet by Harry Herforth in 1991), "Grand Choeur Dialogue," by Eugene Gigout, "Quintet for Brass," by Robert Washburn (1974), four movements of "Armenian Scenes," by Alexander Arutriunian, "Raise the Roof!" by Gwyneth Walker (1987) and others.
Originally composed for solo organ, "'Grand Choeur Dialogue' presents a conversation between two contrasting ranks of pipes, or 'choers,' on the organ," Josh Hillard said. "This transcription effectively assigns the brass quintet one of the choers while the organ maintains the other. The overall effect is a well integrated conversation between the organ and the brass."
The friendship between the brass musicians enhances the music, Collins said. "We have a connection that goes beyond reading music, and I think the audience will sense that connection. The organ in the church is magnificent and it blends so well with brass."
Josh Hillard called organist Fabinyi, 27, of Altoona "an accomplished performer in the area."
Fabinyi said he is "grateful for the opportunity" to play with the symphony brass members.
Tickets for the "ASO Brass Quintet Recital" are $20 (cash or check only) and are available at the door or in advance at the Altoona Symphony Office, 1212 12th Ave. Admission is free for students and senior citizens.