UCT Symphonic Wind Ensemble Baxter Concert Hall 16 May 2023

UCT Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Baxter Concert Hall
16 May 2023

DIRECTOR: Brandon Phillips
UCT WIND ENSEMBLE MANAGERS: Cameron Bestman , James Geldenhuys

ENSEMBLE LEADER: Tiffany Delcarme
CLARINET: Tiffany Delcarme *, Karl Coetzee, Leandre Phigeland, Garth Steenberg, Annika Nowak, Ashley Muizenheimer
BASS CLARINET: Guzzler Paulse
OBOE: Andrea Salomo, John-Ross Brouwers
FLUTE: James Geldenhuys *, Esihle Mthethw, Micaela Porter, Cameron Bestman, Solomon Mannel, Sarah-Anne Kleinschmidt, Sara Wepener, Emma-Beth Peters
PICCOLO: Cameron Bestman
BASSOON: Sigqibo Tokwe
ALTO SAXOPHONE: Deepika Cerpath *, Tamica Britz, Samuel Njoroge, Dylan Crous
TENOR SAXOPHONE: Seth Alexander, Shannon Hubbard
BARITONE SAXOPHONE: Lisakhanya Pantsi
FRENCH HORN: Natalie Lawrenson ^, Hanri Mostert, Taj Schlebusch
TRUMPET: Chad Groepies *, Lebo Komane, Katy Racionzer, Rebecca Abraham, Jaydon Martin
TROMBONE: Tamzyn Freeks, Luthando Plaatjie, Sisipho Mangete
BASS TROMBONE: Aviwe Macutwana, Roger Wiseman ^
EUPHONIUM: Willie Haubrich
TUBA: Miché van Rheede, Zhaun Gorridon
DOUBLE BASS: Kyle Smith
PERCUSSION: Talia Bruce, Abongile Sihawu, Erin Solomon, Hannah Mackay Isabella Strydom
KEYBOARD: Dale de Windt
Section leader ^ Extra player

PROGRAMME:

Overture in B flat - C. Giovannini

Composed in 1966, Giovannini’s Overture in B-flat is a cornerstone of the symphonic wind ensemble repertoire and is characterised by its vigour and drive. The overture opens with valiant brass fanfares answered by equally noble woodwind responses, each exchange punctuated by percussive interjections. This opening declaration gives way to a brass chorale flowing over fluttering woodwind accompaniment. Multiple entries of a repeated theme, each entry being announced by increasing instrumental forces, proceed to a soaring melodic middle section. Upon a restatement of the opening brass fanfares, the overture returns to its original energetic character and drives onward to a bold and spirited conclusion.

Trumpet Concerto in A flat Major - A. Arutiunian
Soloist: Chad Groepies arr. D. Wick

Andante maestoso - Allegro energico - Meno mosso - Tempo I - Meno mosso - Tempo I

The concerto by Alexander Arutunian is a staple trumpet showpiece. The work exudes the striking personality of Arutinian’s native Armenia, with many melodies, rhythms and harmonies intentionally reminiscent of Armenian folk music. After a recitative-like declamatory opening by the soloist, the concerto shifts to the lively principal mood of the work, with vibrant music featuring florid tonguing by the soloist, and deft orchestral writing for the ensemble. This transitions to a slower, more lyrical section featuring extended horn and woodwind solos that interplay with the lines of the solo trumpet. After returning to its prior lively character, the concerto navigates back to this slower, lyrical territory, before finally reinstating the energetic character once more and ending with a grand cadenza for the soloist.

The Last Centaur - R. Galante

A tone poem of broad and deep expression, The Last Centaur by Rossano Galante possesses the sweeping scope and emotional intensity of great film music. A landscape of contrasting moods and textures, the work conjures feelings of conflict and adventure; triumph and defeat; reunion and loss – all threading together to form a tapestry about the experience of a hypothetical ‘last centaur’. One feels a sense of the grandeur and pride of the centaur, its strength and beauty, together with the great pathos and tragedy possessed in the knowledge that it is alone, and the last of its kind.

Sinatra in Concert - arr. J Nowad

One of the defining cultural icons of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra was the most popular singer of the pre-rock and roll era. Sinatra in Concert, arranged by Jerry Nowak, features four of Sinatra’s most legendary songs. The medley opens with the theme song from the 1977 Martin Scorsese musical New York, New York in grand big band style. This is followed by It Was a Very Good Year, a melancholy ballad reminiscing about younger years and happy times, together with The Lady is a Tramp a classic Rodgers and Hart jazz standard, before ending with arguably Sinatra’s most signature song, the timeless anthem My Way.

ABBA Gold - arr. R. Sebregts

ABBA, a definitive sound of the 70s, is one of the most universally beloved bands, with a string of hits that have endured in pop culture through to today. ABBA Gold, named after ABBA’s worldwide best-selling compilation album, is an arrangement by Ron Sebregts of four of these timeless classics. The medley opens with a bang, launching into the back-to-back disco glory of Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia, followed by the South American- flavoured pop hit Fernando, and closing off with the eternally heartfelt ballad The Winner Takes it All.