CFAMC LISTENING PAGE  #28: Warner Hutchison

A monthly musical offering by a composer member of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers. Both your listening and comments are encouraged.

FEBURARY 18, 2007

Warner Hutchison: "Apocalypse" for two trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba with antique  cymbals, wind chimes, tam-tam and digital keyboard and optional narrator.

Performed by the Dana Brass Quintet, Youngstown State University (from the album “Apocalpse” AUR Records C-3015)
(The narration and percussion instruments are performed by the brass players).

I. Preamble: Alleluia, For the Lord God Omnipotent Reigns (Processional)

II. The Mystery of the Bride of Christ (Passacaglia)

III. Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men (Litany)

IV. Praise Him with the Sound of the Trumpet (Canzona)

V. Peroration: Come, Ye Blessed of My Father (Recessional)

PROGRAM NOTES

APOCALPSE V is the second of two works for brass quintet from a series of works under the general title, “Apocalypse”. All of these works are based on passages from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament and related prophecies elsewhere in the Bible. These “eschatological meditations” attempt to portray the catastrophic events which are to come in the Middle East as well as the final destruction of the earth and the creation by God of a new heaven and new earth.

APOCALYPSE V is an arch design in five movements. Materials in the first movement (Preamble) are restated in reverse order in the final movement (Peroration). The passacaglia in the second movement as well as the third movement (Litany) display some of the minimalist reductive techniques, with repeated patterns and pulsating rhythm. The fourth movement (Canzona) is a rollicking scherzo. Timbral changes
and contrasting sonorities combined with extremes of range tax the abilities of the performers in each movement.

STATEMENT OF FAITH BY THE COMPOSER

I came to a personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ at age ten through the ministry of a children's bible camp. Only through God's grace and love have I received salvation and the assurance of eternal life
and assurance that I will join Him when my life ends here on earth. For me, music and art are gifts from the Creator to confirm his presence in this world and for enhancing worship and praise of Him by his people.

We are reminded that as Christians we are to not be “conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of minds in order that we may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God” for our lives. (Romans 12:2)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE COMPOSER

Warner Hutchison has a catalogue of some 270 works including forty publications spanning orchestral, band, choral, chamber music, stage, and electro-acoustic genres.

Commissions have led to premieres at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. His works have been performed beyond the U.S. in Canada, China, England, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, and Scandinavian countries. Other works inculcating biblical themes or texts include a mass for chorus, soloists, and wind ensemble; a cantata; church service music including anthems and praise and worship songs; and concert works with biblical and pictorial titles such as  The Desert Shall Bloom as the Rose for orchestra and The Morning Stars Sang Together for eight-part flute choir.

Other recent CD's include Apocalypse I for brass quintet, tam-tam and bells (“New Mexico Brass Quintet”- (Crystal CD 563); Poe-Songs for soprano, horn, vibraphone (“Illuminations”: Capstone CPS8643); Lament and Jubilation for flute and piano (“From Noon to Starry Night”- (24 Keys);Suite for clarinet choir (Piet Jeegers Clarinet Choir, Vol .1 and also on “Suites” by Clarinets Unlimited, Netherlands); As the Stars Forever for concert band (“Portraits” album), and They Flew Away for trumpet and concert band (“Impressions” album), both by the USAF Heritage of America Band.

- - -  SOLI DEO GLORIA!  - - -

For comments, e-mail Warner directly at: whcomposer@comcast.net
To visit Warner's webpage: http://lib.nmsu.edu/subject/music/musiwahu.html
For comments to our entire e-mail discussion group click "REPLY"
or send comments to: cfamc@egroups.com

If you are a member composer interested in submitting a
composition for an upcoming monthly CFAMC listening page,
please contact Bill Vollinger at: WilliamVollinger@aol.com

For further information,
to become a member of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers,
to renew your membership,
or to participate in the CFAMC e-mail discussion group,
visit the CFAMC website at http://www.cfamc.org

For recent CFAMC Listening Pages, go to the following links:

January 2007: William Rogers Price
"de profundis"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1648

December 2006: Brandon Kreuze
"Ubi Caritas"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1647

November 2006: Seth Colaner:
"Man in Brass"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1640

October 2006: Carson Cooman:
"Foresight Spinning"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cfamc/message/1634