American composer Douglas Hedwig (°1951) was a trumpeter with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for 27 years. Since 2011 he has devoted himself entirely to the art of composition. As a trumpeter he is completely familiar with the timbre of brass instruments and his new album Vibrant Colors proves this. He complements the brass sound with vocals, keyboards and percussion.
The festive opening fanfare of Onyx [track 01] immediately brings forward many characteristics of Hedwig's compositional style. Energetic and colorful cover the full range. This American composer makes use of different musical genres and loves contrast. As a listener, you therefore don't know what to expect on a first listen. It's a sort of auditory adventure.
The title Vibrant Colors is aptly chosen. Hedwig experiments with the sound qualities of the instruments. In Its Soul of the Music Shed (2005, rev. 2016) [track 14] he highlights the bugle — also called flugelhorn. This lesser-known brass instrument is accompanied by a narrator. The narrator describes the sound of the bugle and what he associates it with. Between these textual fragments, the bugle brings solo themes with variations. In this way it showcases its sound and technical possibilities. The music in itself is less experimental than Hedwig's electronic compositions but this metaconcept maintains the conceptual link with other works in his oeuvre.
In Antara [track 04-06], New Worlds [track 08-10], A Certain Slant of Light [track 15-19] all that brass is accompanied by other instruments. Soprano Claire Vangelisti sings the expressive New Worlds (2020). This three-part song collection is composed for voice, trumpet and piano. In terms of genre it recalls a hybrid between a lied with expressionistic elements and a trumpet sonata. A Certain Slant of Light (2015) is almost a nod to program music. "Heavenly Hurt" opens this five-part work as a procession where threat lurks. The sonority of the organ is complementary to the soundscape of the brass quintet. Especially in the second part "Internal Difference" [track 16] the timbres enrich each other.
With this album Hedwig brings unusual colors and combinations. Are they all equally successful or innovative? In my opinion not, but others are indeed brilliant and explore with traditional techniques the possibilities of known and lesser-known brass instruments. It opens the doors to chamber music in a brass jacket.
3.5/5
WHO: Lagniappe Brass, Altus Trumpet Ensemble, James Boldin [horn], Adam Johnson [trombone], Eric Siereveld [trumpet, piccolo trumpet & flugelhorn], Claire Vangelisti [soprano], Mary Rudd [piano], Richard Seiler [piano], Mel Mobley [vibraphone & chimes], Joe Moore III [cymbal & timpani]
WHAT: VIBRANT COLORS — Brass Music of Douglas Hedwig
RELEASED: MSR Classics MS1811
LISTEN: www.msrcd.com