BRASS - Peter Anthony Monk

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TRUMPET(S) and FLUGEL

1. CONCERTONE

for Trumpet in D and Piano | Duration 13’ 00”

Three ‘conversations’ in different humours between the trumpet and the piano.

Music Clip: 1st Movement ‘Duologue’

‘Peter Anthony Monk’s ‘Concertone for Trumpet and Piano’ was a highlight of the night. Ascari explained to the audience that Monk “was thinking of a dialogue between the trumpet and piano. There is no leader – we are at the same level”. This piece was definitely a different one. At one point, after a section of flowing, melodic music, Ascari turned toward the piano and played a short, accented note at the strings, while Dr Parsons held down the sustaining pedal, capturing Ascari’s sound in the strings’ – R. Kinnett ‘The Paladin’ Furman University

2. One short sleep past, we wake eternally… [John Donne]

for Trumpet in Bflat (and preferably C) and Flugel (one player) and organ | Duration 8’ 30”

Seven scenes from the Book of Revelation

Music Clip: Movement No. 5 ‘A New Heaven and a New Earth’

‘This reviewer particularly appreciated Peter Anthony Monk’s ‘One short sleep past, we wake eternally…’ for trumpet and organ for its programmatic content and its clever collection of vignettes depicting Biblical events in the Book of Revelations’ – Peter Wood, ‘International Trumpet Guild Journal’

3. Cinetica con Anima

for Trumpet in Bflat and Percussion:

3 timpani
5 temple blocs
cowbell
sports whistle
slapstick (frustra) (one player)

Duration 4’ 30”

To herald the opening of the Museum of the Futurist Movement in Art [MART] especially that of Fortuanto Depero in Rovereto, N. Italy.

Music Clip: Whole Work

‘Cinetica con Anima’ è un brano strettamente attinente. Ma il material è eterogeneo proprio perchè rappresenta una sorta di collezione di espressioni stilistiche di cui ci si puo abbeverare in un’espositione artistico, pechè composta di opera appartenente ad epoche, autorio ancora, a periodi creative diversi della stello autore’ – Giuliano Lott ‘Trentino’

‘Cinetica con Anima’ per tromba e percussioni nasce dalla penna di Peter Anthony Monk per l’inaugurazione del MART e forse ancor più della ‘Fanfara’ di Boncompagni coglie lo spirito dell’invenzione Deperiana, giungendo all’ardito accostamento con Brahms poche note fortemente evocative – a testimonianza della comune coniugazione di rispetto della tradizione e della forma e inspirazione fortemente libera’ – Sergio Torta ‘Trentino’

4. Tribute to Roy

for Solo Trumpet in Bflat | Duration 14’ 00”

A virtuosic tribute to the English actor, singer, dancer, comedian and trumpet player, Roy Castle OBE.

Music Clip: Movement No. 2

5. L’Histoire d’un Jeune Soldat

for Trumpet in C and percussion:

2 side drums
3 tomtoms
bass drum
3 splash cymbals and 3 cowbells (one player)

Duration 14’ 00”

Written to honour the full but short life of a young soldier.

6. At the round earth’s imagined corners [John Donne]

for Solo Trumpet in C | Duration 6’ 40”

The trumpet player explores playing in four directions – the main points of the compass.

7. Tucket with Tender Moments

for Trumpet in Bflat and Flugel (one player) and piano | Duration 6’ 00”

Written to celebrate the birth of Ivano Ascari’s son Giacomo.

8. Appeelkins

for Trumpet in Bflat and Tuned Percussion:

vibraphone, tubular bells, glockenspiel and celeste (one player)
(the celeste may be played by a separate player)

Duration 7’ 20”

A celebration of clock chimes and carillon melodies the chief of which is ‘De Reuze Gom’ played by the clock of the University Library, Leuven.

9. Roulades

for Piccolo Trumpet in Bflat and Organ | Duration 4’ 00”

Coloratura runs then serenity.

10. Commotion & Ballyhoo

for 4 Trumpets in Bflat – 2 of the 4 Trumpet players double on samba or sports whistles | Duration 6’ 30”

Fun!

HORN(S)

1. Lasagne da Caccia

for Solo Horn | Duration 5’ 30”

A mixture of valve horn and ‘simulated’ natural horn playing.

‘Take Peter Anthony Monk’s irrepressible sense of humour, for example his ‘Lasagne da Caccia’ for solo horn is an Italian recipe set to music.’ – Christopher Wood ‘Music Matters’

2. APPEELKINS

for Horn and Tuned Percussion:

vibraphone, tubular bells, glockenspiel and celeste (one player)
(the celeste may be played by a separate player)

Duration 7’ 00”

A celebration of clock chimes and carillon melodies, the chief of which is ‘De Reuze Gom’ played by the clock of the University Library, Leuven, where it was first performed for BRT Radio 3.

Music Clip: Whole Piece – BBC Radio 3 Broadcast

3. Three Old Flemish Masters

for 2 Horns and Organ | Duration 11’ 30”

‘The Fall of Icarus’, The Arnolfini Portrait’ and ‘Venus at her Mirror’ in music.

4. Oft Gestopft

for Quartet of Horns | Duration 6’ 00”

At first, valve horn material then melodies from orchestral literature for natural horn, here ‘simulated’, are woven together.

5. An Apple for the Teacher

for Quartet of Horns | Duration 5’ 40”

Spatial relationships and exuberance are explored.

TROMBONE(S)

1. TROMBOWLER

for Solo Trombone in Bflat & F | Duration 9’ 00”

To facilitate the playing of the score which has no page turns, it is preferable to employ a ‘human’ bowler hat stand.

Music Clip: Whole Piece

2. INTERTEXTURE

for 5 Trombones:

alto trombone
tenor trombone
tenor trombone in Bflat & F
bass trombone
contrabass trombone (or bass trombone with 2 valves)

Duration 5’ 00”

Quartertones and changing clusters are explored in a quasi-Ligeti texture.

BASS TROMBONE (see KARNYX)

TUBA

1. O Holy Night

Theme and jazz variations.

KARNYX

Fragments of the karnyx – a metre-long trompette de guerre used by the Celts 2300 years ago, were discovered in Sanzeno in N.Italy. A replica, in brass, was skilfully fashioned and the result has been the main focus of several archeological conferences. Another karnyx, in bronze, the original material, is in process at the moment.

1. Out of the Ground

for Karnyx (or Bass Trombone) and Percussion:

2 timpani and xylophone

2. Out of Brass

for Karnyx (or Bass Trombone) and Percussion:

2 timpani
5 woodblocks
splash cymbal
gong
lion roar

3. Celtic Lament

for Solo Karnyx (also for trombone, bass trombone tenor tuba, bassoon, cello)

4. If the Karnyx had been discovered earlier

for Solo Karnyx

BRASS DUO

1. Storm in a Teacup

for Trumpet in C and Trombone in Bflat & F | Duration 4’ 20”

A disagreement and reconciliation in music with a little theatrical element. No trumpets or trombones have been harmed in the performance of this piece.

BRASS TRIO

1. Danse Sacreé et Danse au Contraire

for Trumpet in C, Horn and Trombone in Bflat & F | Duration 7’ 45”

A slow ritualistic dance contrasted with faster jazzy burlesque.

Music Clip: 2nd Movement ‘Burlesque’

2. Lanes and Avenues

for Trumpet in C, Horn and Trombone in Bflat & F, 2 players double on samba/sports whistles | Duration 5’ 00”

‘Procession’, ‘Parade’, ‘Cortège’, ‘Carnaval – South American Way’.

Music Clip: Movement 2 and 3

BRASS QUINTET

1. Koper van Klank

2 Trumpets in C, Horn, Trombone, Tuba | Duration 6’ 05”

Combines avant-garde and fun elements.

Music Clip: Whole Piece – BRT Radio 3 Recording

2. Will Don Quixote Continue to Tilt at Windmills

2 Trumpets in Bflat, Horn, Trombone, Tuba | Duration 10’ 30”

The piece was written for the retirement of Hubert Biebaut as Principal Horn of the Belgian National Orchestra who has fought many ‘windmills’ in the cause of furthering music – especially brass.