|
JOHN BEEMAN
Symphonic Works
|
- Concerto for Electric Guitar
- (1998)
- The Rogue River Canyon: A Suite for Chamber Orchestra
- (1995)
- Absolutely Gebrauchsmusik
- (1995)
- River Suite
- (1994) For student string orchestra.
- Christmas Eve on Market Street
- (1987) For children's chorus and orchestra.
- Suite on American Themes
- (1975)
- Berge in die Nacht
- (1975)
CONCERTO FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR AND ORCHESTRA (1999)
 The Concerto for Electric Guitar and Orchestra will have its premiere performances on January 19, 2001 at the
San Mateo Performing Arts Center and on January 20, 2001 at the
Flint Center in Cupertino. The soloist is Paul Dresher, and the
orchestra is the Peninsula Symphony conducted by Mitchell Sardou
Klein. For more information about this performance, you may go
the the Peninsula Symphony website.
The Concerto for Electric Guitar and Orchestra uses elements of blues, rock and jazz in addition to contemporary
techniques. the concerto form, rather than the usual "struggle"
with the orchestra, focuses, more on dialogue with the ensemble.
Duration: approximately 22 minutes
Score in Concert Pitch
Listen to Mp3 - "Concerto for Electric Guitar, Movement Three"
ROGUE RIVER CANYON: A SUITE FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Rogue River Canyon: A Suite for Chamber Orchestra (in five movements) was completed in June 1995. Inspired by a
five day whitewater rafting trip down the majestic Rogue River
of southern Oregon, the piece depicts the journey through music.
The impression is not meant to be literal, but instead attempts
to stimulate the listener on an emotional and perhaps subliminal
level. Different musical techniques are used freely as required.
Flowing rhythms and consonant harmonies create a peaceful mood
in the second movement, "Day on the River." However, the thundering
turbulence of the last movement, "Blossom Bar: The Great Rapids"
is achieved through crashing dissonance and jagged, complex rhythms.
Moving water is created with various techniques throughout the
suite: gentle ripples as shimmering percussion, whirlpools swell
with low woodwinds, and surging wavers come as driving strings
and brass.
In addition to the changing mood of the river itself, other aspects
of the natural scene are depicted in the music. Open harmonies
reminiscent of Copland suggest the nearby temperate forest and
its inhabitants. Bird calls are heard as flutters in the woodwinds
and violin trills: hoots sound in oboe, english horn and clarinet;
a lumbering bear is suggested by thumping percussion and strings.
The overall effect of the Suite with its complex and ever evolving
music creates an impression of the rich diversity of nature which
is found in the beautiful Rogue River Canyon.
SUITE ON AMERICAN THEMES
Suite on American Themes, a five movement composition for orchestra, is a historical-musical
essay on the American character. The work uses folk themes from
19th and 20th century songs dealing with similar subjects to establish
a link between the American character of the past and the present.
In the second movement, "Spiritual Renewal," fragments of "Shenandoah"
and the contemporary song "Rocky Mountain High" are used, both
of which concern the theme of renewal. Throughout the suite motives
from folk songs are treated diversely. The first movement, "Patriotism,
War" is a fugue; the second movement a passacaglia. Sometimes
the themes are used as melody and obligato and are easily heard,
at other times, they are concealed and barely recognizable.
Harmonies are sometimes traditional, and other times, rich clusters
are utilized. Diatonic, chromatic, pentatonic, and atonal melodies
are all used. At times the music is tonal and familiar, and at
other moments fresh and surprising. Some of the music is reminiscent
of Charles Ives or Copland; other music brings to mind Samuel
Barber or William Schuman. There are dark, mysterious sections
and also joyous light-hearted music. Images of wilderness and
natural scenes are suggested, as well as the celebrations of people
coming together. The effect is distinctly American as a fiddle
tune is heard and the suite concludes with a jubilant scherzo.
Instrumentation: Flute, Flute II (Piccolo), 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets,
Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, 2 Percussion, Strings (Clarinets, Trumpet
and Horn transposed in score).
Duration: approximately 13 minutes
Premiered: 1979, by the Fremont-Newark Philharmonic
|