The Chamber Wind Music of Jack Cooper
Encyclopedia
The Chamber Wind Music of Jack Cooper is the first classical/new music studio recording featuring numerous performing artists recording chamber wind music of the composer on the Centaur Records
label.
and resources housed at the University of Memphis
. Centaur Records
agreed to have a CD completed for their label of either chamber wind works or chamber string/piano works; not a mix or both so to avoid a conflict in programming and marketing. Artists were selected based on virtuoso musicianship and familiarity with the composer's work; being able to play both written and improvised passages at a high musical level.
NPR Radio and WUMR
Radio about the recording. The works from the CD have been played and featured at numerous concert venues in North and South American (U.S.A., Canada, Brazil), primarily by the artists who commissioned each work. The euphonium work One of the Missing was commissioned by John Mueller and is strong protest piece
that both Cooper and Mueller felt very compelled to present in oppostion to the Iraq War. The recording of the Trombone Sonata (and manuscript) is one of the main subjects in a dissertation written by Mr. Anthony Williams (music professor, University of Mary
) on style and approach to four prominent 20th/21st Century solo trombone works: Alec Wilder
- Sonata for Trombone and Piano, Richard Peaslee
- Arrows of Time , William Goldstein - Colloquy for solo trombone , Jack Cooper - Sonata For Trombone. All brass works (trombone, brass quintet, euphonium) from the recording are currently published with Brassworks 4 Publishing.
Ronald E. Grames, Fanfare Magazine
"Most enjoyable...are the two woodwind sonatas...The outer movements are lively and full of improvisatory exuberence, the (slow movement) allows (Paul) Haar to show his contemplative side. In the Clarinet Sonata, Cedric Mayfield's high-register tone is never shrill, and his playing is impressive in both noted and improvised music."
Barry Kilpatrick, American Record Guide
"...of all of the compositions on this CD I most enjoyed One of the Missing (for those lost in Iraq), is soulfully performed by John Mueller on euphonium. To me, it had the most musical depth and expressive qualities."
Calvin Smith, The Horn Call
"...an engaging musical experience in the hands of these performers, who are stylistically so attuned to this music and so in command of their instruments."
William Nichols, ICA Journal/The Clarinet
Centaur Records
Centaur Records is one of the oldest and largest independent classical labels in America. The company is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was founded in 1976. Their recordings are available in major markets throughout the world, and their catalog includes classical, historical, pops,...
label.
Music
Background
In 2006 it was decided a CD would be produced as a collaboration between Centaur RecordsCentaur Records
Centaur Records is one of the oldest and largest independent classical labels in America. The company is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was founded in 1976. Their recordings are available in major markets throughout the world, and their catalog includes classical, historical, pops,...
and resources housed at the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
. Centaur Records
Centaur Records
Centaur Records is one of the oldest and largest independent classical labels in America. The company is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was founded in 1976. Their recordings are available in major markets throughout the world, and their catalog includes classical, historical, pops,...
agreed to have a CD completed for their label of either chamber wind works or chamber string/piano works; not a mix or both so to avoid a conflict in programming and marketing. Artists were selected based on virtuoso musicianship and familiarity with the composer's work; being able to play both written and improvised passages at a high musical level.
Track listing
Recording Sessions
- November 13th, 2007
- March 17, December 19th, 2008
- March 9 and 17, June 2nd, 2009
- all tracks recorded in Harris Concert Hall, the University of MemphisUniversity of MemphisThe University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
School of Music
Musicians
- Composer, conductor: Jack Cooper
- Trombone: Luis BonillaLuis BonillaLuis Bonilla is an American Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin jazz trombonist born in Los Angeles, California of Costa Rican descent. He is a Grammy Award- winning performer, composer, and Music Professor, about whom the New York Times has described as the artist who "explodes the usual musical structures...
- Alto Saxophone: Paul Haar
- Clarinet: Cedric Mayfield
- Trumpet: David Spencer
- Trumpet: Ben Lewis
- Horn: Daniel Phillips
- Trombone and Euphonium: John Mueller
- Tuba: Kevin Sanders
- Piano: Chris Parker
- Piano: Oksana Poleshook
- Latin Percussion: Pablo Bilbraut
- Drums (set): Michael Waldrop
Production
- Recording engineer, mixing, and mastering: Jonathan Frazer
- Piano Technicians: Scott Higgins and Richard Boyington
- Liner Notes: Jack Cooper and Ken Kreitner
- Cover art: Cathy CooperCathy Cooper (artist)Cathy Cooper is a postmodern artist and wardrobe stylist who lives and maintains a studio in Los Angeles. Working as a costume and wardrobe designer, for the past 22 years she has been collaborating with directors, musicians, commercial advertisers and photographers...
- Photographer: Rene Koopman
Promotion and works from the compact disc
Interviews were done in 2010 for WKNO-FMWKNO-FM
The WKNO FM Stations is a pair of public radio stations based in Memphis, Tennessee, that serve the "Mid-South" region with local fine arts and classical music programs, as well as news and information programs from the National Public Radio, Public Radio International, and American Public Media...
NPR Radio and WUMR
WUMR
WUMR is a radio station broadcasting a jazz music format. Licensed to Memphis, Tennessee, USA, the station is currently owned by The University of Memphis.WUMR is a section of the College of Communication and Fine Arts as part of the Department of Communication...
Radio about the recording. The works from the CD have been played and featured at numerous concert venues in North and South American (U.S.A., Canada, Brazil), primarily by the artists who commissioned each work. The euphonium work One of the Missing was commissioned by John Mueller and is strong protest piece
Protest song
A protest song is a song which is associated with a movement for social change and hence part of the broader category of topical songs . It may be folk, classical, or commercial in genre...
that both Cooper and Mueller felt very compelled to present in oppostion to the Iraq War. The recording of the Trombone Sonata (and manuscript) is one of the main subjects in a dissertation written by Mr. Anthony Williams (music professor, University of Mary
University of Mary
The University of Mary is a four year Catholic university near Bismarck, North Dakota.The university is the largest degree granting institution in Bismarck...
) on style and approach to four prominent 20th/21st Century solo trombone works: Alec Wilder
Alec Wilder
Alec Wilder was an American composer.-Biography:...
- Sonata for Trombone and Piano, Richard Peaslee
Richard Peaslee
-London:*the Peter Brook / Royal Shakespeare Company productions of Marat/Sade, A Midsummer Night's Dream, US and Antony and Cleopatra;*Peter Hall / National Theatre Animal Farm;*Terry Hands / RSC Tamburlaine the Great;...
- Arrows of Time , William Goldstein - Colloquy for solo trombone , Jack Cooper - Sonata For Trombone. All brass works (trombone, brass quintet, euphonium) from the recording are currently published with Brassworks 4 Publishing.
Reception
"...the purpose of this (recording) is to broaden the stylistic range of concert chamber music; a breaking-down of barriers...Collectors wishing to savor jazz served in classical mugs will find this an interesting release."Ronald E. Grames, Fanfare Magazine
"Most enjoyable...are the two woodwind sonatas...The outer movements are lively and full of improvisatory exuberence, the (slow movement) allows (Paul) Haar to show his contemplative side. In the Clarinet Sonata, Cedric Mayfield's high-register tone is never shrill, and his playing is impressive in both noted and improvised music."
Barry Kilpatrick, American Record Guide
"...of all of the compositions on this CD I most enjoyed One of the Missing (for those lost in Iraq), is soulfully performed by John Mueller on euphonium. To me, it had the most musical depth and expressive qualities."
Calvin Smith, The Horn Call
"...an engaging musical experience in the hands of these performers, who are stylistically so attuned to this music and so in command of their instruments."
William Nichols, ICA Journal/The Clarinet