Excursions Piano

SKU: HL.14010654

ISBN 9780853608585. 8.5x11.75x0.139 inches.

Richard Rodney Bennett's Excursions for piano solo was commissioned by Frederick Kempf with assistance from South East Arts. Composed in 1993 for Sandra and Bill Charlap, the work is in 3 movements entitled Vivo, Andante Lento and Allegro. The timing is 27 minutes.

SKU: PR.414411630

ISBN 9781491114551. UPC: 680160089956. 9.5 x 13 inches.

EXCURSIONS is a one-movement work exploring two “characters.” A rhapsodic, descending passage is introduced by the cello, followed by a  static, chorale-like phrase for the violin and cello. Their individual developments are separated by a slow, contrasting middle section. The composer has written: “This is analogous to situations in life: we stand by a crossroad, choosing one option and forfeiting the other. But in art, the realm of the imagination, we can perhaps afford to pursue more than one route to its ultimate destination… or can we? It is symbolic that in this work both roads eventually lead to the same place.”.
Excursi ons for violin, cello and piano, is a one-movement work of tripartite structure in which materials explored in the first of three large sections are brought back in the last section.  The traditional statement-contrast-restat ement form, which is readily suggested by such a description, is, however, not at all in the mold in which the work is cast.  Rather, my aim was to subject the essential materials of the piece (two “characters” –the rhapsodic, descending passage played by the cello in the very opening and, later, a static, slow moving, chorale-like phrase for the violin and cello) to two entirely different developments separated by a slow, contrasting middle section.  This is analogous to an exploration of the ramifications that two divergent choices made by the same person might lead to.  In life, as we stand by a crossroad, choosing one option usually means having to forfeit the other.  But in art, the realm of the imagination, we can perhaps afford to pursue more than one route to its ultimate destination…or can we?  It is, I believe, symbolic that in this work both roads eventually lead to the same place: in composing Excursions, it seemed absolutely inescapable that at the end the slow, contrasting middle sections – both more resigned and peaceful than the battling spirits of the outer parts – should return briefly to end the work. The piano trio combination (once highly favored, but to this composer still as challenging today) is approached here as a collaborative effort of three equal soloists – partners.  Of the available pairings, the two strings find themselves occasionally approached as a team pitted against the piano.  The cello-piano combination is also not uncommon here, and there is an extended violin cadenza toward the end of the piece.  The writing for the three instruments is closely and at times interlinked, but the players are all instructed to play from scores. Excursions was first performed at Brandeis University in 1982.

SKU: AP.36-BSMIS107

ISBN 9798892704441. UPC: 659359584190. English.

The Bruce Broughton Solo Series features solos by one of the country's most outstanding composers of concert and film music. This new series by seven-time Emmy award winning composer features music that is notable for its wonderfully rich harmonies, flowing melodies and rhythmic vitality. These pieces are ideal for recitals and contests and are great teaching pieces that are appealing to performers and audiences alike. The demanding trumpet work EXCURSIONS, originally written with band accompaniment on a commission by the United States Air Force Band (and recorded by that band on the album, Excursions) is here offered for solo trumpet with piano accompaniment. In the aptly named work, Mr. Broughton explores the diverse technical and expressive capabilities of the trumpet, with the angular melodies and driving rhythms that characterize the piece used by the solo trumpet to lead the accompaniment.

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