Capitol Pride Symphonic Band’s Spring Concert

Last night, I attended the Capitol Pride Symphonic Band’s Spring Concert, “Blossoms”. It was wonderful. The program consisted of works by composers who looked at their music differently than other composers and who saw what the repertoire could become. It included pieces as diverse as “Barnum & Bailey’s Favorite” by Karl Lawrence King to “Four Dances” from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein to “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” by Richard Wagner.

The most memorable piece was “Crimson” written by composer, Dr. Brett Miller. Dr. Miller received his Doctor of Musical Arts in french horm performance from the University of Maryland in 2007, and his Master’s Degree in french horn at Indiana University. According to Dr. Miller, “This piece was commissioned in 2008 by DCDD’s Capitol Pride Symphonic Band . The idea for the work came about in discussion with conductor, Joseph Bello, about writing a piece for World AIDS Day. The timeline for that project didn’t work out, but the idea stuck, thus Crimson was born.”

The first movement, “Years” begins with a solemn striking of the chimes. Each chime represents a year, ten years passing before the band enters. The chimes continue to be struck for the total number of years since AIDS has been recognized by the CDC in 1981. The overall arec of the piece features slowly evolving chords, on note changing every bar, representing the years slipping by without a cure. The chord completely changes every four bars to remind the listener that time is actually passing. Gradually, tension builds as impatience with the lack of a cure mounts.

The second movement, “Requiem” is in memory of those whose lives have been lost to AIDS. The movement begins with a mournful bassoon duet, interupted by intense anger and frustration, represented in the percussion. Throughout the movement, the “heartbeat of man” can be felt –symbolizing that this life taking disease affects all of mankind. The movement ends with a memorial chorale and the fading of the heartbeat.

The third movement, “A New Hope” represents the passion and intensity with which people are fighting this disease and striving for a cure. Crimson was very moving, and I loved all the symbolism in the piece. What I found so unique and exciting is that the last note of Crimson is to be heard only at this premiere of the work, and then never again in subsequent performances until a cure is found. Let’s all hope that note will be played again soon!

If you enjoy music, I highly recommend you go to today’s matinee performance of “Blossoms”. It starts at 3pm and will take place at Reformation Lutheran Church, 212 E Capitol St, NE, Washington, DC 20003. Tickets are very reasonably priced at $20.

- Miss A