FRANK STEMPER, COMPOSER
Morning Dance (1993)
Concerto for Organ and Orchestra [13 mins.]
Commissioned by the Ministerului Culturii din Romania
World Premiere 29 May 1993 by the George Enescu Philharmonia on "American Music Day"
Robert Roubus, pipe organ
during SAPTAMINA INTERNATIONALA A MUZICII NOI festival in Bucharest, Romania.
Opus 30 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 432650732
SCORE
World Premiere 29 May 1993 by the George Enescu Philharmonia on "American Music Day"
Robert Roubus, pipe organ
during SAPTAMINA INTERNATIONALA A MUZICII NOI festival in Bucharest, Romania.
Opus 30 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 432650732
SCORE
NOTES
MORNING DANCE was performed by the Orchestra Nationala Radio Buchuresti with Robert Roubos, organist and Edwin London, conductor. It was part of the Saptamina Internationala A Muzicii Noi (International New Music Festival) in Bucharest, Romania. The concert was a live radio broadcast, transmitted on the national radio station and broadcast all over Romania. I had already written for TRYLONGENESIS for Robert Roubos, so I knew I could write anything for him, and he’d be able to pull it off. The narrative is quite chaotic, but it is also quite detailed. Many of the statements sound more like music for small chamber ensemble. They are difficult. The musicians lead by the infamous Edwin London had no problem. In addition, there are several gestures that were initiated by my jazz background – little riffs, harmonic clichés, and instrumental combinations. The sort of pop in and out. (It was intriguing, because, at the radio station where the piece was rehearsed and then performed, there was always a jazz ensemble practicing or recording. I remember when waiting for my piece to be rehearsed, I’d stand in the doorway of the “Jazz Room,” wanting to get in there and join the guys!)
I was commissioned to write MORNING DANCE by the “new” Romanian government. It was just a couple of years after the Romanian people revolted and executed their Communist Dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu, who had been reaping their country for decades following WWII. However, in spite of Ceaușescu, throughout those years, the arts were the saving grace of the populous, and, after regaining control of their country, this belief that culture and fine art could unify the Romanian people only increased, and, with the new self-government, financial support for their artists and cultural programs increased. Romania has always been at the forefront of the World Art Scene.
Romania was now free, but, after so many years under the USSR’s thumb, there was poverty and disorganization, caused by the confusion from the sudden freedom. I was privileged to visit Bucharest and witness this transformation. It was a life changing event for me. Several memories have stayed with me. Read about them HERE:
MORNING DANCE was performed by the Orchestra Nationala Radio Buchuresti with Robert Roubos, organist and Edwin London, conductor. It was part of the Saptamina Internationala A Muzicii Noi (International New Music Festival) in Bucharest, Romania. The concert was a live radio broadcast, transmitted on the national radio station and broadcast all over Romania. I had already written for TRYLONGENESIS for Robert Roubos, so I knew I could write anything for him, and he’d be able to pull it off. The narrative is quite chaotic, but it is also quite detailed. Many of the statements sound more like music for small chamber ensemble. They are difficult. The musicians lead by the infamous Edwin London had no problem. In addition, there are several gestures that were initiated by my jazz background – little riffs, harmonic clichés, and instrumental combinations. The sort of pop in and out. (It was intriguing, because, at the radio station where the piece was rehearsed and then performed, there was always a jazz ensemble practicing or recording. I remember when waiting for my piece to be rehearsed, I’d stand in the doorway of the “Jazz Room,” wanting to get in there and join the guys!)
I was commissioned to write MORNING DANCE by the “new” Romanian government. It was just a couple of years after the Romanian people revolted and executed their Communist Dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu, who had been reaping their country for decades following WWII. However, in spite of Ceaușescu, throughout those years, the arts were the saving grace of the populous, and, after regaining control of their country, this belief that culture and fine art could unify the Romanian people only increased, and, with the new self-government, financial support for their artists and cultural programs increased. Romania has always been at the forefront of the World Art Scene.
Romania was now free, but, after so many years under the USSR’s thumb, there was poverty and disorganization, caused by the confusion from the sudden freedom. I was privileged to visit Bucharest and witness this transformation. It was a life changing event for me. Several memories have stayed with me. Read about them HERE: