by Morton Gould/Mark W. Jirousek
Album Title: 24K GOULD
Recording: University of Las Vegas Wind Orchestra Conductor: Thomas G Leslie; Zane Douglas, Associate
Soloists: Barbara Hull, trumpet; Stephen Caplan, oboe
Publisher: Klavier K11222
Any time the UNLV Wind Symphony releases a new CD one can be guaranteed an outstanding program. The opening work is Festive Music (Morton Gould/Mark W. Jirousek); the principal trumpet solos are performed by Dr. Barbara Hull. Rift by Julian Tanaka is a nine-minute escapade for band with occasional glimpses into Dmitri Shostakovich, William Schuman and Duke Ellington’s music. One of the hallmark compositions for band is Dies Natalis by Howard Hanson; the performance by the UNLV is unmatched. L’Horloge de Flore (Flower Clock) is Jean Francaix’s masterwork for oboe & orchestra. Dr. Stephen Caplan “blossoms” in this windstration by Ken Watson. 24K Gould concludes with Tam O’Shanter (Malcolm Arnold/John Paynter); I find this performance and interpretation to be one of the finest. Quite simply, 24K Gould is 24K Gold!!
