Afternoon of Brass

Honoring our local Firefighters with eclectic, uplifting classical music arranged for brass, percussion, organ, and chorus.

Presenting a special music-video tribute to our local Firefighters set to the music of John Williams Hymn to the Fallen

Premiering Gustav Mahler, Resurrection Symphony Finale in "a spectacular arrangement that precisely frames the gravitas and aspiration of the original work" Lawrence B. Johnson

Showcasing the elite brass playing of the Pitzen Brass Resurrection

Afternoon of Brass

• 2:00-5:00 PM: Face Painting
• 3:00-4:00 PM: Tribute to Local Firefighters
• 4:15-6:00 PM: Pitzen Brass Resurrection

Tribute to Local Firefighters

• Nimrod, Elgar
• Fanfare for the Common Man, Copland
• Nearer My God to Thee, Mason
• Hymn to the Fallen, Williams (with video projection: "Honoring our Local Firefighters")
• Be Still My Soul, Sibelius
• Resurrection Symphony Finale, Mahler. Premiering with chorus "a spectacular arrangement that precisely frames the gravitas and aspiration of the original work" Lawrence B. Johnson

Pitzen Brass Resurrection

• Feierlicher Einzug, Strauss
• Canzona in Echo Duodecimi Toni, Gabrieli
• Fanfare pour précéder La Péri, Dukas
• Bruckner Etüde für das tiefe Blech, Crespo
• Fest- und Gedenksprüche, Brahms
• The Earle of Oxford's Marche, Byrd
• Susato Suite, Susato
• Praise the Lord with drums and cymbals, Karg-Elert
• Funeral March, Grieg
• Gathering of the Armies, Wagner

FEATURING

• Emcee – Brian McCreath
• Organ – Leonardo Ciampa
• Bay Colony Brass – Lawrence Isaacson
• New World Chorale – Holly Krafka
• Pitzen Brass Resurrection – Mitchell Arnold

MORE INFORMATION

John Williams, Hymn to the Fallen arr. Daniel Drage

"The 'Hymn to The Fallen' is one of John Williams most astounding pieces. The simple tune carries the weight of all [who have fallen]. From the snare solo in the beginning, the theme begins softly, with a beautiful choral part. The music is never too sad or depressing. Even when the tension builds, the tears that are yanked from your eyes come not from the sadness of the piece, but from its profound beauty. One of the most glorious parts of the track is the brass’ interpretation of the theme. It rises up in dignity, and dies back down, letting way for another, stronger rendition of the theme, once again with the [simple tune]. The [music] swells in a majestic, grandiose rendition, building up to the soaring climax, and sweeping down back to the calm. A lonely duet leads into the conclusion, with the snare drum growing only to fade back." -Frank Lehman

Gustav Mahler, ‘Resurrection’ Symphony Finale arr. Stephen Bulla

On everyone's bucket list should be a live performance of the Mahler 2 Finale. It is truly the best music ever written. The entire work is just too long for most listeners to bear (over 80 minutes) but this unique arrangement is only 11 minutes in length. It was premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass on 15-DEC-2021 … "The concert’s finale was the definition of grand: a broad swath of the closing movement from Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony in a spectacular arrangement that precisely framed the gravitas and aspiration of the original work. Off-stage trumpets summoned the chaos of purgatory before the reunited ensemble began the long, swelling musical ascent of transmigration. So closely did Mulcahy and his musicians, augmented by timpani and percussion, mirror the full orchestral context of Mahler’s work – again banishing from mind the absence of strings and woodwinds – that one might have forgotten entirely about the other missing element: the chorus." … https://chicagoontheaisle.com/2021/12/16/cso-brass-measure-up-to-golden-reputationwith-sonorous-fare-capped-by-blazing-mahler/

Our Mechanics Hall premiere is including "the other missing element" (the chorus). It will be completely over the top. Don't miss your chance to hear it!

The finale music is aptly described: "Once more we must confront terrifying questions, and the atmosphere is the same as at the end of the third movement. The voice of the Caller is heard. The end of every living thing has come, the last judgment is at hand and the horror of the day of days has come upon us. The earth trembles, the graves burst open, the dead arise and march forth in endless procession. The great and the small of this earth, the kings and the beggars, the just and the godless all press forward. The cry for mercy and forgiveness sounds fearful in our ears. The wailing becomes gradually more terrible. Our senses desert us, all consciousness dies as the Eternal Judge approaches. The last trump sounds; the trumpets of the Apocalypse ring out. In the eerie silence that follows, we can just barely make out a distant nightingale, a last tremulous echo of earthly life. The gentle sound of a chorus of saints and heavenly hosts is then heard: 'Rise again, yes, rise again thou wilt!' Then God in all His glory comes into sight. A wondrous light strikes us to the heart. All is quiet and blissful. Lo and behold: there is no judgment, no sinners, no just men, no great and no small; there is no punishment and no reward. A feeling of overwhelming love fills us with blissful knowledge and illuminates our existence.” https://gustavmahler.com/symphonies/mahler-symphony-2.html