Continental Concerto

From Wind Repertory Project
Gregory Fritze

Gregory Fritze


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General Info

Year: 2017
Duration:
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Instrumentation

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Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Continental Concerto is dedicated to George Roberts, "Mr. Bass Trombone," popular trombonist during the 1960s and 1970s. The last movement of the work is based on the rhythmic melody similar to the studio music played by Roberts.

- Program Note from europa press


Continental Concerto was composed in 2017 at the request of several friends of mine that play bass trombone. As I am a tubist, I have sat next to many fine bass trombonists for many years, including Gabe Langfur for 20 years. I worked especially with three good friends of mine for this piece -- Gabe, Antonio Damien (Canary Islands) and Javi Colomer (Spain), who played the world premiere with the Municipal Band of Madrid on November 18, 2017.

Although trombones have been used for over five hundred years, it has been only the last 60 years that the bass trombone has been thought of as a solo instrument. Much of the popularity grew during the 1960s and '70s from George Roberts known as “Mr. Bass Trombone.” He played bass trombone in studio sessions in Los Angeles for films and TV. As I discussed this composition with Javi, Gabe and Antonio Damien, they all requested that this concerto be dedicated to George Roberts. Because of this dedication, I have included a few jazz elements in the piece. I would also like to dedicate this composition to my good friend Thomas Everett, retired professor at Harvard, who was also a pioneer to commission many new works for bass trombone.

The first movement of the concerto has a strong rhythmic first theme and a melodic second theme played over Latin jazz rhythms and harmonies. The second movement presents a melodic love song. The last movement is based on a rhythmic melody similar to “1970s studio music” that George Roberts played.

- Program Note by composer


Awards

  • The American Prize in Composition—Band/Wind Ensemble (professional division), 2018-19, honorable mention


Media

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State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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  • Boston (Mass.) University Wind Ensemble (David Martins, conductor; Gabriel Langfur, trombone) – 13 February 2018
  • La Banda Sinfónica Municipal de Madrid (Rafael Sanz-Espert, conductor; Javier Colomer, trombone) – 12 November 2017 *Premiere Performance*


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources