PROGRAM NOTES Fanfare for the Common
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PROGRAM NOTES Fanfare for the Common Man (1942) Aaron Copland (1900-1990) The Fanfare for the Common Man was written in 1942 for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under conductor Eugene Goossens. It was inspired in part by a famous speech made earlier in the same year where vice president Henry A. Wallace proclaimed the dawning of the "Century of the Common Man" in response to the US entry into World War II. Scored for 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, gong, and bass drum it is a fitting and inspiring opening for our tribute to the Greatest Generation. Symphony No. 5 in c minor Op. 67, Movement 1 (Allegro con Brio) Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Arr. Dan Godfrey The Symphony No. 5 in C minor of Ludwig van Beethoven , Op. 67, was written 1804–1808. It is one of the best-known compositions in classical music, and one of the most frequently played symphonies. [1] First performed in Vienna 's Theater an der Wien in 1808, the work achieved its prodigious reputation soon afterward. E. T. A. Hoffmann described the symphony as "one of the most important works of the time". It begins by stating a distinctive four-note "short-short-short-long" motif twice. Since the Second World War it has sometimes been referred to as the "Victory Symphony". [2] "V" is the Roman character for the number five; the phrase "V for Victory" became well known as a campaign of the Allies of World War II. That Beethoven's Victory Symphony happened to be his Fifth (or vice versa) is coincidence. Some thirty years after this piece was written, the rhythm of the opening phrase – "dit-dit-dit- dah" – was used for the letter "V" in Morse Code, though this is probably also coincidental. [ March from “The Longest Day” Maurice Jarre (1924-2009) The Longest Day was an iconic 1962 film depicting D-Day. Maurice Jarre, one of the great film composers (Lawrence of Arabia, Topaz, Dr. Zhivago, Ryan’s Daughter, and many others) wrote this march for that movie. Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1930) E.Y. Harburg / Jay Gorney Arr. Adam Stout Most of the members of the Greatest Generation lived through the Great Depression; it was one of the defining experiences of their lives. One of the best-known songs depicting the nature of the Depression is the song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” (also known as “Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime”). It was w ritten in 1930 by lyricist E. Y. "Yip" Harburg and composer Jay Gorney, and was part of the 1932 musical Americana, the melody is based on a Russian-Jewish lullaby Gorney's mother had sung to him as a child. In the song a beggar talks back to the system that stole his job. Gorney said in an interview in 1974 "I didn't want a song to depress people. I wanted to write a song to make people think. It isn't a hand-me-out song of 'give me a dime, I'm starving, I'm bitter', it wasn't that kind of sentimentality. The song asks why the men who built the nation – built the railroads, built the skyscrapers – who fought in the war, who tilled the earth, who did what their nation asked of them should, now that the work is done and their labor no longer necessary, find themselves abandoned and in bread lines. It refers to "Yankee Doodle Dum", a reference to patriotism, and the evocation of veterans also recalls protests about military bonuses payable only after 21 years, which were a topical issue. The Greatest Generation Julie Giroux From Dr. Daniel P. Bolin, who commissioned this work, in memory of his father Gillespie G. Bolin: “In December 2000, my father, Gillespie Bolin, passed away suddenly. He was born in 1921 and was part of what is now known as the greatest generation. Following his funeral I traveled to Chicago for the annual Midwest Clinic. There I knew I would find comfort among friends and colleagues. It was also there that I first spoke with Emmy Award-winning composer Julie Giroux about the idea of writing a composition for band in memory of dad and all of those members of his generation who are responsible for the America we know and love. Dad grew up during the Great Depression and served in the Navy during World War II. While in the Navy he was stationed in New York City where he would entertain our troops on weekends at the Navy Pier. Following the war he returned to Indianapolis where he and my mother, Genell, raised my brother Steve (now a rocket scientist for NASA at the Jet Propulsion Labs in Pasadena, CA) and me (professor of music and former chairman of the music department at Butler University in Indianapolis). My early interest in music was inspired by listening to dad play on our old Story and Clark piano in the music room of our house each day when he came home from work. I vividly remember his piano and organ playing at our church and watching him in local talent shows on television, which were a part of the regular fare during the infancy of that media. In discussing the composition with Julie, I asked her to write a work that would reflect the time period in which dad lived. Her work begins with a dramatic fanfare that includes fragments of some melodies relevant to the period. Following the introduction there is a theme that is introduced that ties the work together. We hear a Gershwinesque rhythm that seems to symbolize the growth of our nation following the depression. The work pays homage to those who did not return from WWII with a slow expressive section, which features the piano (most fitting for dad). It concludes with a vibrant finale that once again features lively jazz rhythms and seems to indicate the work and prosperity that this generation gave to our nation.” D.P.B. The Greatest Generation Greg Danner Inspired by Tom Brokaw’s eloquent testament to the World War II generation, the music sets the background for a reading of four soldiers’ letters that highlight the emotion of those difficult times and the victorious struggle to preserve our freedom. During the war, letters to and from home were the thread that connected loved ones. For many young men, the carefree days of youth were abruptly interrupted by war. Art Nicholl’s letter to his mother captures the innocence of youth and the uncertainty of the times. John Lingenfelter, serving in the Navy from 1943 to the end of the war, left before his wife could give birth to their first child. His letter to his unseen daughter, Barbara Anne, is a beautiful and heartwarming message. Private Alfred Birra, in a letter written to his wife shortly after D-Day, chronicles his personal experience landing at Normandy and participating in the epic battle that would lead to the collapse of Hitler’s Germany. Dr. Robert Cromer’s reflective letter touches on those qualities that made this generation great, and would lead them to build the nation we have today. "The Greatest Generation" was commissioned by the American School Band Directors Association and premiered at their 57th Annual Convention held in Nashville, Tennessee. Greg Danner is Professor of Music at Tennessee Technological University. Born in St. Louis, Missouri (1958) he received the B.A. from Southeast Missouri State University, the M.M. from the Eastman School of Music, and the Ph.D. from Washington University. His awards include the College Band Directors National Association Music for Young Band prize, vocal category and grand prize in the Delius Society composition contest, first prize in the Composers Guild composition contest, first prize in the Taghkanic Chorale composers competition, and the Louisiana Music Teachers Association Composer Commission Award. Recent commissions include works for the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America, the Tennessee Music Education Association, and the Gateway Music Festival. Dr. Danner has received annual ASCAP awards for composition since 1989. An active performer (horn), he has held positions with the Baton Rouge and Acadiana orchestras in Louisiana and has performed with the Huntsville (AL) Symphony, the Lake Charles and Rapides orchestras in Louisiana and the Saint Louis, Saint Louis Municipal Opera, and Webster Groves orchestras in Missouri. He is a former member of the Louisiana Brass Quintet and Evangeline Wind Quintet. Dr. Danner is currently hornist with the Brass Arts Quintet, the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, and Tennessee Philharmonic. He is a freelance and studio musician in the Nashville area. ~ Compiled and Composed by Howard M. Green .