Renowned composer Joseph Turrin joins UGA British Brass Band for fall concert

The UGA British Brass Band will perform the music of Joseph Turrin in a special performance featuring Turrin on piano in Hodgson Concert Hall on Monday, October 10, at 8 p.m.

 

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music ensemble will perform compositions by the noted composer, conductor and pianist.

 

The band’s connection to Turrin comes from their bandmaster, Philip Smith, professor of trumpet and the William F. and Pamela P. Prokasy Professor in the Arts.

 

“Joseph Turrin and I have been a trumpet-piano duo since 1974,” said Smith. “Not only have we enjoyed making music together, but we have enjoyed our friendship as well. In addition, I have been the beneficiary of Joe’s composition skills, as we have premiered almost all of his works for trumpet as well as for brass ensemble.”

 

The Smith-Turrin duo will perform Turrin’s classic arrangement of Gershwin’s “Someone To Watch Over Me,” and Turrin will perform one of his original works for piano solo.

 

Turrin’s career has been multi-faceted, writing scores for feature films and Broadway productions, commissions for dozens of artists and ensembles and in a multitude of genres from electronic to opera.

 

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra commissioned Turrin to write “Hemispheres,” of which the New York Times wrote: “Mr. Turrin's music is nervous, loud, swift and aggressive to the point of violence. It is also beautifully made, negotiating its constant changes of speed and pulse with grace. Mr. Turrin's music is young: no past, only future."

 

“The band is excited to perform some of Mr. Turrin’s fine works for brass band, including his beautiful tribute to Princess Diana, ‘Hymn for Diana,’ his new ‘Rejoice and Be Glad’, and his cornet and euphonium duet ‘Arabesque’” said Smith.

 

This concert is free to attend and will be streamed live online at the Hodgson School’s website: music.uga.edu/streaming

 

The UGA British Brass Band has quickly become a favorite of audiences of all ages in the Athens – Atlanta area, with notable recent performances in UGA Holiday Concerts, at the Performing Arts Center’s Saturday Morning Club, as part of the School of Music's Thursday Scholarship Series and at the Chick-fil-A corporate headquarters’ Christmas Open House.

 

The UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music sponsors more than 350 performances each year. To view the performance calendar, subscribe to the weekly email concert listing or learn more about the School of Music, go to music.uga.edu.