TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MUSIC

in the

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS

AND COMMUNICATION

presents

SENIOR RECITAL

COURTNEY EDWARDS
TROMBONE

in collaboration with
KRISTIN ROACH, PIANO
_______________________
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014
6 P.M.
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
RECITAL HALL

PROGRAM
Fanfare

NOTES
John Kenny
(1957- )

Concertino for Trombone, Op. 45, No. 7

Lars-Erik Larsson
(1908-1986)

I. Preludium: Allegro pomposo

II. Aria: Andante sostenuto
III. Finale: Allegro giocoso
Kristin Roach, piano

INTERMISSION
(10 minutes)

Fanfare

John Kenny
John Kenny is most known for his collaborations with
dance and theater. In 1984, he was a founding member of the TNT
Music Theatre Company which has made hundreds of tours
through most of Europe and Russia. He has composed many works
for dramatic settings as well as a few solo works for trombone.
Kenny wrote Fanfare to open a TV documentary called
Edinburgh Visions in 1991. It is played across the un-damped
strings of a piano to exploit the open harmonies.
The piece is inspired by the Tumbling, jumbled resonance
of the bells of St. Marys Cathedral, Edinburgh, pealing in the
distance. John Kenny
Concertino for Trombone and Piano, Op. 45, No. 7

Reverie

Claude Debussy
arr. Sauer
(1862-1918)
Kristin Roach, piano

Thoughts of Love

Arthur Pryor
(1870-1942)
Kristin Roach, piano

Presented in partial fulfillment of

requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree

Lars-Erik
Larsson
Lars-Erik Larsson was a skilled organist and composer.
The sound he comes up with is quite unique as it comes from his
influences from the Romantic era and his own versions of serialism
and twelve tone techniques from the twentieth century. Larsson
manages to always create strong directions with his melodic lines
and interesting harmonic language. The Concertino for Trombone
is no exception and is the most played concertino he wrote during
this period. After World War II, Larsson took a job as the
administrator of Swedens state-run amateur orchestra and from
the years of 1953 to 1957 wrote a concertino for each and every
wind and string instrument as well as piano.
The first movement uses very little accompaniment and is
mostly a quasi-cadenza, allowing the soloist to take many liberties
and be expressive. Many of the playful themes established in this
movement are developed and used in the other two movements
making the overall piece very cohesive. The second movement
shows off the singing voice of the trombone while the
accompaniment gently lulls the music along supporting the
melody. The main theme of the second movement comes back in
the middle of the fast paced third movement in a reflective manner
while allowing the piece to slow down from the pompous, but
virtuosic, motives.

Reverie

Claude Debussy
Arr. Sauer
Debussy, a French composer, wrote during the
Impressionist era, though he did particularly like this label to be
applied to his music. He was heavily influenced by Wagners
music, but he took his music in a different direction. His music is
composed of chromaticism and non-traditional scales that usually
leaves the listener in a state of flux as he avoids tonality.
Reverie was written early in Debussys composing career.
His initial thoughts on the piece were that of regret that it was ever
published. Perhaps it did not fit into his vision for his music at the
time, but it was received well and is still revered today. The word
reverie means daydream in French. The piece starts with a
repetitive pattern that begins to lull the listener into that daydream
like state. The main theme floats over the pattern and propels the
dream forward.
Thoughts of Love
Arthur Pryor
Arthur Pryor was an accomplished trombone soloist,
composer and band leader. He composed over 300 pieces during
his life time and was a soloist with the John Philip Sousa Band,
often getting to premiere his own works and arrangements. His
pieces for trombone require virtuosic playing which ushered the
trombone into a new era of possibilities. After his time with the
Sousa Band, he set out to conduct his own band which enjoyed
much success performing at many prestigious events.
Thoughts of Love was the first solo that Pryor ever
performed with the Sousa Band in 1893. It was said that Sousa was
reluctant to allow him to perform. Finally, at the 1893 Columbian
Exposition he played to an awe struck crowd in the rain. No one
had ever heard a trombonist play quite like Pryor did. Much like
his other solos, this piece makes use of technique and musicality in
such an exciting way. This waltz features longing phrases and
nimble technical passages.