Two Premieres and a Special Tribute
(from left to right: Composer Anthony Plog, flugelhorn soloist Professor Richard Steffen, Director of Bands Dr. Gregory Wolynec, and composer Dr. Jeffrey Wood)
The Wind Ensemble concert last Tuesday evening, under the direction of Dr. Gregory Wolynec, was a truly special event for the Department of Music. Two moving premieres, including a piece by Austin Peay Professor of Music Dr. Jeffrey Wood, were juxtaposed by a special surprise in honor of Professor Richard Steffen’s 25 years of service at Austin Peay.
The program opened with Canzona duodecimi toni by Giovanni Gabrieli, performed antiphonally from the balconies by the brass. Following this performance, the wind ensemble joined soloist Professor Richard Steffen for the premiere of Contemplations for Flugelhorn and Wind Ensemble by Anthony Plog. Several days earlier, Plog traveled from Germany to Clarksville to work with the ensemble in rehearsal and to attend this concert. While Professor Steffen knew that he was giving the premiere performance of this piece, he did know that the piece was dedicated to him and was commissioned by Austin Peay alumni and by University Bands in his honor.
Following the performance, Steffen was presented with the dedication, and many alumni enthusiastically acknowledged his service and contributions from the audience. Backstage, a phone call was waiting for him—his former teacher John Haynie, Professor Emeritus at the University of North Texas, was waiting to congratulate him.
The second half of the concert began with Suite francaise by Darius Milhaud and concluded with Dr. Wood’s Freylekhs and Fugue. This electrifying work is described by the composer in his program notes as, “a kind of ‘structured fantasy,’ in the spirit of klezmer.” Three melodies/gestures are used throughout the work and come together to bring the piece to a dramatic close. Several wind players enjoyed virtuosic solos that highlight the klezmer style of the piece.
Congratulations to everyone who made this landmark event possible!