by Paul Basler
Album Title: RADIX TYRANNIS
Recording: American Chamber Winds
Conductor: David A. Waybright
Soloist: Joseph Alessi, trombone Publisher: MARK Masters 53316-MCD
The title work by Peter Van Zandt Lane portrays a trombone tyrant and his wind ensemble minions. One of the true trombone masters Joseph Alessi is the soloist in this one movement concerto. Michael Torke’s Overnight Mail is a three-movement work (Priority, Standard and Saturday Delivery) that sparkles through “neither snow, nor rain”. The challenging music of Edgard Varese is familiar to many; Octandre is an octet for winds and string bass. Guest conductor for this composition is John M. Watkins, Jr. Excerpts from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro are featured in a setting by Alfredo Bernardini. Also included is Four Hands for Harmonie Music by Carl Maria Von Weber; John Mitchell Laverty has arranged these works with their exact melodies, form and harmonic structure which contrasts with the popular Hindemith Symphonic Metamorphosis.. A pair of circus attractions close the program; Stravinsky’s Circus Polka and Paul Basler’s Circus Vaudeville. A splendid program by the American Chamber Winds that should find a place in your listening library.
