“Legends” explores pieces inspired by legendary figures, cartoons, and Chinese Mythology.
Dr. Glazier is joined by her acclaimed colleagues, Florida-based pianist Galen Dean Peiskee Jr. and Belgium-based saxophonist, Don-Paul Kahl. The program features the world premiere of two new pieces by Chinese composer Yuanyuan (Kay) HE and Polish composer Piotr Szewczyk.
Notes on the Program
Foam & Sun was commissioned by Duo Entre-Nous (Jackie Glazier and Don-Paul Kahl). The piece is inspired by Chinese mythology “Jingwei Filling the Sea.”
While it is always challenging to tell a Chinese story using western instruments, in part, I used the Chinese pentatonic scales as the harmonic language of this piece. I also explore the timbral potential of both the clarinet and saxophone, integrate different extended techniques to break the limitations of the instruments and use electronic media to both (i) prolong and expand the dimensions of the instruments and (ii) enhance and dramatize the spatial world of the performance. This approach provides me a unique way to create a vivid sonic world of ancient China, where Jingwei lived.
Jingwei(精卫) is the name of a character in Chinese mythology. She was the youngest daughter of Emperor Yan (legendary ruler of primitive China). She perished at a young age in the East Sea. Just before she was buried by the surging waves, her spirit turned into a beautiful bird. When it flew over the roaring sea, it cried sadly in the sound “jingwei, jingwei”. That is why people named her “Jingwei”. In the piece, I often use rapid grace notes and “falling off” endings on long notes to imitate the cry of the bird; it’s sad, but strong!
The bird lived on a mountain near the sea. Jingwei doesn’t want the sea to end more lives, so she decided to fill it up by carrying in twigs and pebbles from the mountain and dropping them into the sea. This idiom describes people who have an indomitable spirit. They are firm, determined, and will never give up on their goals. I want this piece to be my artistic outlet to tell my story as a foreign-born artist living and working in the United States, and also to form a voice that represents those who are fighting for emancipation and true equality.
–Yuanyuan (Kay) HE
Perhaps best remembered for having written over 200 film scores, British composer, painter, and poet William Alwyn was extremely prolific in orchestra, chamber, choral, and operatic music as well. Also a very proficient flautist, he played in the London Symphony Orchestra under the likes of Edward Elgar, Gustav Holst and William Walton. Alwyn’s style can be described as post-Romantic, with periods of neo-classicism. Constantly reexamining and reevaluating his work, Alwyn often introduced new techniques and methods. Never veering far from traditional tonality, he experimented with the juxtaposition of modes other than major and minor. He used motivic or melodic cells, dissonance, and tone rows, but always within an accessible context. Alwyn’s style relies more on lyricism and orchestral color than on contrapuntal development.
The Sonata for Clarinet and Piano was commissioned for the renowned British clarinetist Thea King who premiered it in London in 1962. Written in one movement, it is based on two primary musical ideas, giving the work a strong sense of unity and cohesiveness. (This device became a frequent feature of Alwyn’s compositional technique.) The work begins with the defiant motif that appears throughout. Episodic in nature, the movement is held together by the recurring motives. At times, the expanded chords and harmonies give the work an impressionistic flavor. Clarinet and piano become characters in an abstract drama: at once murky and ambiguous, then sweeping and operatic, to aggressive and frenzied.
–Mona DeQuis
Three Escapades for Clarinet and Piano were commissioned by Dr. Jackie Glazier. It was easy for me to find inspiration for this piece after hearing Jackie perform at a recital. Her brilliant, effortless virtuosity and deep, sensitive musicality sparked an idea for this piece almost immediately. Three Escapades is set in three movements, Dreamland, Outer Space and Nightlife. In this work I wanted to explore the idea of escaping into very different realms. In Dreamland it is our interior, where abstract dreams connect and comment on our wakeful life. In Outer Space, it is the incomprehensibly enormous realm of the cosmos, with its constant motions of stars and galaxies and transformations on a grand scale. In Nightlife it is the enjoyment of connecting with other people thought dance and conversation. The clarinet has a prominent role in all movements, from soaring melodic lines, through pulsating rhythms, to wild, virtuosic, and crossover solos. The piano provides a rich tapestry of harmonic textures and rhythmic grooves for the clarinet to lock into. I hope it will take you on a wild and exciting journey!
–Piotr Szewczyk
Composed in the year between Lance Armstrong’s fifth and sixth victories in the Tour de France, Yellow Jersey is a short wind sprint for two clarinets. I invented the form of the piece by imagining how the sprint might go:
Massed Start > Cadence I > Breakaway I > Cadence II > Breakaway II > Cadence to coast > Coast > Cadence III > Bonk
Glossary:
Bonk: To exercise to the point of depletion of the body’s energy stores, leaving one extremely weak and giddy.
Breakaway: Suddenly riding away from a pack of racers, quickly enough that opponents cannot keep close enough to draft.
Cadence: A pedaling rate, measured in revolutions per minute.
Coast: To ride without pedaling.
Massed-Start: A race in which competitors start at the same time.
Yellow Jersey: The jersey worn by the current overall leader during the Tour de France.
–Libby Larsen
Toons portrays the quick and light agility of Tom and Jerry, Wile E Coyote and the Road Runner. The first movement, The Road Runner’s Dash, is a short introduction featuring the jaunty and perky nature of the Road Runner’s gallop. The second movement, The Bassinet, is a lullaby to a newborn infant sleeping in this old-style wicker cradle of the 1940’s. The third movement, Vamoose!, depicts a chase scene with a cat and mouse dodging physical obstacles, with brief moments of rest hiding in alleyways, and barging into a jazz bar, startling the unsuspecting guests and performers. The movement ends as the cat closes in on the mouse and finally makes the capture.
–Ron Amchin
Artist Bios
Jackie Glazier, clarinet
A versatile artist, Jackie Glazier is an active soloist, chamber musician, orchestral clarinetist, pedagogue, and advocate of new music. Dr. Glazier was appointed Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music in 2016. Solo performances and chamber music performances have taken her throughout the United States, Central America, and Europe. Jackie gave the world premiere of Scott McAllister’s Concerto Americana, which led to subsequent performances, including the College Band Directors National Association Conference. She also performed John Veale’s clarinet concerto with the Ocala Symphony for the opening concerts of their 2016-2017 Subscription Series.
An accomplished chamber musician, Jackie was selected as a finalist in the prestigious international 2016 Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition with the Cerulean Trio. She has performed as a chamber musician in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Croatia, and at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. She is a member of the American Chamber Winds, which recently released the album, “Radix Tyrannis,” featuring trombone legend Joe Alessi. Jackie is a founding member of Duo Entre-Nous with Don-Paul Kahl, a saxophone and clarinet ensemble dedicated to the progression of new music. Duo Entre-Nous has performed internationally and commissioned several works for the repertoire from composers in North America, Australia, France, China, and Argentina. They are featured on the album, “Lights and Shadows, Waves and Time,” which was recently released on Parma Records.
Dr. Glazier is currently working on her debut solo album, “Magic Forest Scenes,” which will be released in 2019 on Centaur Records. She is featured on the album “Hans Winterberg Chamber Music, Vol. I,” released on Fall 2018 on Toccata Classics Label. She has also recently recorded for an upcoming release of works of William Mathias on Naxos.
Dr. Glazier performed regularly with the Orlando Philharmonic as principal, second, and e-flat clarinet from 2011-2016. She also served as principal clarinet of the Ocala Symphony, where she served from 2012-2016. Currently she performs with the Tucson Symphony and is principal clarinet of the Grammy Award-nominated True Concord Voices Orchestra. Orchestral collaborations include many internationally renowned artists such as Renée Fleming, Joshua Bell, and Yefim Bronfman. Jackie was the first-prize winner of the International Clarinet Association Orchestral Competition at ClarinetFest 2014.
An active clinician and educator, Dr. Glazier has presented guest master classes at major universities throughout the United States. She has earned degrees from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, University of Florida, and Florida State University. Her teachers include Deborah Bish, Ixi Chen, Mitchell Estrin, Jonathan Gunn, Richie Hawley, and Karl Leister. Jackie is a Vandoren Regional Artist and a Buffet-Crampon Performing Artist. She performs exclusively on Buffet-Crampon clarinets and Vandoren Reeds.
Don-Paul Kahl, saxophone
Described by distinguished American composer John Corigliano as an “artist beyond his time,” concert saxophonist, Don-Paul Kahl has performed throughout Europe, the United States, Australia, and South-East Asia. He has appeared as soloist with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, the University of Florida Symphony Orchestra, the University of Florida Wind Symphony, and the Susquehanna University Orchestra.
An ardent supporter and advocate of contemporary and modern music, Don-Paul has been involved in the creation and performance of over 75 new works for saxophone by some of the most talented and award winning young composers of the time. Recent commissioned composers include Nicolas Tzortzis, María Eugenia Luc, Gregory Wanamaker, Simone Movio, Chris Dench, Julien Malaussena, among many others.
As an avid and in-demand chamber musician, Don-Paul is active with the international interdisciplinary saxophone quartet, Ensemble du Bout du Monde (EBM), his duo with clarinetist, Jackie Glazier, Duo Entre-Nous, and with the Belgian based mixed ensemble, Hectuor Ensemble.
EBM is embarking on an ambitious 201-2018 concert season with tours in Paris, Athens, Switzerland, among many other destinations. Duo Entre-Nous gave the premiere of Scott McAllister’s “Concerto Americana” in September 2015 with the University of Florida Wind Symphony and David Waybright conducting. In June 2017 they professionally recorded Gregory Wanamaker’s “Ragahoro Breakdown” for a new CD which will be released in April 2018 through PARMA Recordings – Navona Records Label.
Don-Paul was a prizewinner at the prestigious 4th Jean-Marie Londeix International Saxophone Competition in Bangkok, Thailand. Recently, EBM won the first and special prizes at the 2017 Concours d’Interprétation de la Ville de Boulogne-Billancourt. He was also awarded the Harriett Hale Woolley Scholarship for academic study in Paris, France for the 2013-2014 year. Other awards include prizewinner in the 2013 Marco Fiorindo Chamber Music Competition, University of Florida Concerto Competition, and the Susquehanna University Concerto Competition, along with several others.
Don-Paul currently serves on the faculty at the Susquehanna University High School Wind Ensemble Institute in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. He also holds the position of the saxophone chair in the Ocala Symphony Orchestra in Ocala, Florida. Previously, he has served on the adjunct faculty at the College of Central Florida in Ocala, Florida where he taught applied study in both saxophone and clarinet.
Currently, Don-Paul is living and working as a freelance saxophonist based in Belgium and is also a doctoral candidate for the Ph.D in Artistic Research in collaboration with KU Leuven and the Orpheus Institute in Belgium. In 2017, he completed a post-graduate performatory research program at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven, Belgium. Previously, he earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Music degree from Susquehanna University (Summa Cum Laude). His primary teachers and mentors are Jean-Michel Goury, Marcus Weiss, Jonathan Helton, Geoffrey Deibel, and Gail B. Levinsky, with additional study with Frederick L. Hemke.
Don-Paul Kahl is a Henri Selmer Paris and Conn-Selmer performing artist, and performs on Selmer Paris saxophones and mouthpieces exclusively.
Galen Dean Peiskee, Jr., piano
Galen Dean Peiskee has established a multifaceted career as an accomplished chamber musician, soloist, orchestral pianist, choral accompanist, and vocal coach. He has performed all over the United States as well as throughout the world in Austria, Poland, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cuba and Bolivia. Dean has enjoyed premiering works by Gregory Wanamaker, Piotr Szewczyk, Paul Richards, Roger Zare, and Timothy Hoekman.
He is a founding member of both the Young-Peiskee Flute-Piano Duo and the Cerulean Trio, finalists in the 2016 Chesapeake Chamber Music Competition. He has performed as a member of the Bold City Contemporary Ensemble, the Emerald Trio, Trio Vivo, and Parlance Vocal Ensemble. As a collaborative pianist, Dean has appeared onstage with violist Pam Ryan, clarinetist Jackie Glazier, trumpeter Jon Burgess, and trombonists Jörgen van Rijen, James T. Decker, and Gerry Pagano. Dean has performed as a soloist with the Brazos Chamber Orchestra multiple times, and was the pianist for the Singing Girls of Texas for 5 years. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in May 2017, performing music of Timothy Hoekman in Weill Recital Hall. Dean’s playing can be heard with members of the Bold City Contemporary Ensemble on the CD “Bliss Point,” published by Navona Records, and with clarinetist Jackie Glazier on the CD “Magic Forest Scenes,” due to be published summer 2019 by Centaur Records.
Recent performances include premieres of new works at the International Double Reed Society conference in Granada, Spain, and the National Association of Collegiate Wind and Percussion Instructors conference in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Engagements during the 2018-19 season include guest artist performances at Southeast Missouri State University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Arizona, University of Portland, University of Oregon, Arizona State University, and University of Southern Mississippi. Dean will also perform with the Emerald Piano Quintet for the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra and Texas A&M University-Texarkana Annual Chamber Music Series, as well as part of the South Arkansas Symphony season.
Dean has a Doctor of Music degree in collaborative piano from Florida State University, where he earned his Master of Music degree in accompanying. He also has an Artist Diploma from Texas Christian University, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, and an Associate of Music degree from Kilgore College. His teachers have included Timothy Hoekman, Read Gainsford, José Feghali, John Owings, and Sandra Siler.
CONTACT: (520) 621-1655
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