Live Reaction to Class 4/14

Brass Quintet by Elliot Carter, performed by the American Brass Quintet.

    Elliot Carter was an American modernist composer who became a significant influence in the late 20th century. Carter created his own individualistic style that used complex rhythms, innovative form, and highly intricate polyphony. His music has been described as intellectually rigorous, full of dynamic energy, and profound expressive depth, which demands the virtuosity of highly skilled performers.

    Brass Quintet by Elliot Carter was written for and premiered by the American Brass Quintet in 1974. This piece fits well into Carter's compositional style, which can be seen in the intricate rhythmic interplay, independent melodic lines, and the dramatic shifts in texture and intensity. There is a sense of unity but also individual expression in each instrument. Those who enjoy this piece, praise it for it's energetic drive, exploration of diverse sounds, and demanding technical difficulties. 


Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, by Joan Tower performed by the New York Philharmonic & Empire Brass Quintet.


    
    Joan Tower was born in 1938 and became a prominent composer, known for her significant contributions to contemporary classical music. She has created a substantial body of work including Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman. This piece is a series of six distinct compositions written between 1986 and 2014. The very first piece in the series was inspired by Aaron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man. In fact, the instrumentation in the first piece is almost exactly the same as Copland's, except Tower added glockenspiel, marimba, chimes, and drums. However, the instrumentation greatly changes from piece to piece. One and two are orchestrated for brass and percussion, three and five use brass ensemble, and four and six use full orchestra. The very first piece was commissioned by the Houston Symphony in the orchestras fanfare project. The series has since gained recognition for its powerful and celebratory character that honors the achievements of women.

Comments

  1. Ryan BanksApril 16, 2025 at 9:41 AM

    Thanks for you post Max! I also blogged about this day's listening. I didn't care much for the Carter, but I thought the tower piece was ver cool! I like your description of the Carter, "intellectually rigorous". I agree it is rigorous to play and to listen to!

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