The Winthrop Wind Symphony conducted by Lorrie Crochet, and Winthrop Symphonic Band conducted by Douglas Presley filled the night with brass, wind and wizardry on February 23. The band and symphony performed a new musical showcase, featuring a variety of works from circus marches to symphonies inspired by famous “Lord of the Rings” character Gandalf the Grey.
Starting off the series was a performance of “Zing!” by Scott McAllister. This work was the first in its own series of short musical pieces that are inspired by catchphrases of band directors who influenced the composer in high school and college. According to the composer, the phrases were often used during rehearsals to illuminate an image in order to create a special sound.
Following “Zing!” was “Sanctuary” by Frank Ticheli. Written to honor the composer’s close friend and principal horn player, the song explores feelings of friendship, hope, and rest through music.
The program said fans of great, heroic epics would have enjoyed the next two pieces: “Until the Scars” by John Mackey and “Symphony I – Movement I: Gandalf (The Wizard)” by Johan de Meij.
“Until the Scars” attempts to musically tell the tale of the epic poem “The Odyssey” and its main character’s first leg home. While Howard Shore’s film score would be more familiar to those who have seen the “Lord of the Rings” or “The Hobbit” movie trilogies, “Symphony I” was just as inspired by the books as the music in those movies were.
Each movement in the original symphony takes listeners to musical soundscapes that remind them of major locations and major characters that were in the books and films. The Wind Symphony would begin their half of the concert by painting this instrumental portrait of the world-famous wizard.
Winthrop Wind Symphony conductor Lorrie Crochet said that the piece made for a perfect opener for their ensemble, “Gandalf has a wonderful, majestic sound and flair, and I thought it would make a fantastic opening piece.”
“Lord of the Rings” was not the only classical literature receiving a musical treatment that night. “Vanity Fair” by Percy Fletcher was an overture in which the three main characters of the book’s original story are portrayed, compared and parodied by different musical themes.
The final songs of the night were the pieces “Traveler” by Davi Maslanka, and “Clown Act” by Thomas Kahelin. Two songs that could not be more different; “Traveler” was written as the emotional last gift given during the final concert of the composer’s closest friend, while “Clown Act” has the saxophone section barking like dogs and the entire ensemble cheering, screaming and shouting right along with the audience.
“Clown Act is just fun,” Crochet said. “The symphony was barking and whinnying and it was a lot of fun to perform.”
The performances by the Winthrop Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band are open to all ages and they are worth cultural event credit. Wind Symphony’s next concert will be April 23 from 4-5:30 p.m., and the Symphonic Band will be putting on their next performance the following day at 7:30 – 9 p.m.
