Friday 29 November 2024 7:30pm
St David’s Cathedral, Nipaluna / Hobart
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Conducted by David Bremner.
The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra acknowledges the traditional owners and continuing custodians of Lutruwita / Tasmania. We pay respect to the Aboriginal community today, and to its Elders past and present. We recognise a history of truth, which acknowledges the impacts of colonisation upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and stand for a future that profoundly respects their stories, culture, language and history.
About the concert
Works
Brahms (arr. Bremner) Academic Festival Overture
Gabrieli (arr. Higgins) O Magnum Mysterium
Lauridsen O Magnum Mysterium
Koetsier Brass Symphony
3 movements:
- Allegro
- Larghetto
- Rhondo
20 minute interval
Holst (arr. Bremner) Moorside Suite
3 movements:
- Scherzo
- Nocturne
- March
Crespo Bruckner Etude for low brass
Terracini Gegensätze
Giovanni Gabrieli.
About the music
Academic Festival Overture
Composed by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
10 minutes
Brahms' Academic Festival Overture is a playful, celebratory piece that was composed in 1880 as a ’thank you’ for an honorary doctorate he received from the University of Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland). Despite its formal title, the overture is far from academic in tone. Instead, Brahms created a lively and humorous work by weaving together several traditional student songs that were popular at the time.
The overture opens with a grand, almost solemn introduction, leading into a series of melodies that range from lyrical to boisterous, all evoking the spirit of student life. The climax features the well-known student drinking song Gaudeamus igitur, giving a rousing, triumphant finish.
Brahms’ piece has become a mainstay in pop culture. You may have heard it at a graduation ceremony, in cartoons and films like National Lampoon’s Animal House, and referenced in other music such as Carlos Santana’s Love of my Life.
In Academic Festival Overture, Brahms cleverly blends humour with his signature rich orchestration, creating a piece that's both sophisticated and approachable.
O Magnum Mysterium
Composed by Giovanni Gabrieli (1557 – 1612)
4 minutes
O Magnum Mysterium was composed in the late 16th century, around 1587 by Giovanni Gabrieli, a Renaissance composer and organist working at St Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
It was originally composed as a sacred vocal work for double choir (or motet) based on a Latin text celebrating the mystery and wonder of Christ’s birth. Here, it has been beautifully adapted for brass, capturing the depth and resonance unique to these instruments. Brass arrangements often preserve Gabrieli’s signature cori spezzati (split choir) technique, with brass groups positioned antiphonally to create a call-and-response effect. This setup enhances the immersive quality, especially in large, resonant spaces like the cathedral where we are performing!
The warmth of brass adds a rich, sonorous texture to the piece, bringing out the grandeur and reverence of the original. With its dynamic range, brass can emphasise both the meditative and climactic aspects of O Magnum Mysterium, providing an emotional, dramatic experience. Polyphonic textures are maintained, with each brass part contributing to the harmonic richness Gabrieli intended. Smaller arrangements, such as brass quintets, simplify some lines, while larger brass choirs include the full range of instruments to recreate Gabrieli’s intricate harmonies.
O Magnum Mysterium
Composed by Morten Lauridsen (1943 - )
5 minutes
Contrasting with the ceremonial Renaissance era O Magnum Mysterium, American composer Morten Lauridsen’s 1994 version has a modern reverence. Lauriden creates a homophonic – or unified – sound, with all brass voices moving together to create a warm harmony.
Lauridsen’s brass arrangement is more intimate and introspective, with dynamics that change gradually and softly. The piece retains its slow, meditative pacing and invites a deep sense of reflection. Even in brass form, Lauridsen’s piece conveys a gentle, almost ethereal quality, with moments of stillness and subtle dynamic shading.
While from different times, both versions of O Magnum Mysteriumexpress the awe and mystery of the Nativity story.
Brass Symphony
- Allegro
- Larghetto
- Rhondo
Composed by Jan Koetsier (1911 - 2006)
15 minutes
Jan Koetsier’s Brass Symphony, composed in 1979, is a remarkable work for brass ensemble that explores the full range, depth, and versatility of brass instruments. Koetsier, a Dutch composer and conductor, wrote extensively for brass and wind instruments and brings a nuanced understanding of their capabilities to this symphony.
The symphony combines elements of classical and contemporary brass writing, with moments of bold fanfares, intricate counterpoint, and warm chorales. Koetsier incorporates both the power and the subtlety of brass instruments, moving from powerful tutti sections to softer, lyrical passages that explore the expressive side of brass.
Koetsier’s writing often includes syncopation, complex rhythms, and adventurous harmonic language. He was known for his interest in exploring jazz influences and chromaticism, which can be heard in his Brass Symphony as he brings a fresh, modern edge to traditional brass textures.
Moorside Suite
- Scherzo
- Nocturne
- March
Composed by Gustav Holst (1874 - 1934)
15 minutes
Gustav Holst’s Moorside Suite is a beloved piece in the brass band repertoire, composed in 1928 for the British National Brass Band Championships. Holst, who was already famous for his orchestral suite The Planets, was commissioned by the competition organisers to create a work for brass band, marking a significant contribution to a genre he had not previously explored in depth.
Moorside Suite consists of three movements, each with its own distinct character, reflecting Holst’s interest in English folk traditions and the pastoral beauty of the countryside.
The first movement, Scherzo, is lively and rhythmic, filled with syncopation and energy. It introduces a sprightly theme that feels both playful and intricate.
It then moves into a slower, more mellow second movement, Nocturne. The mood is reflective and lyrical, giving voice to the softer side of brass instruments. This movement has a haunting, serene quality that evokes a quiet, moonlit landscape. Listen out for the euphonium here – it’s the heart of this movement.
The final movement, March, is bright and stately, with a rousing, martial rhythm. It’s reminiscent of traditional British marches but is distinctly Holst in its harmonic and melodic style. The March is both celebratory and ceremonial, bringing the suite to an uplifting close.
Bruckner Etude for low brass
Composed by Enrique Crespo (1941 - 2020)
6 minutes
Uruguayan-German trombonist and composer, Enrique Crespo, wrote the Bruckner Etude in 1983 to explore the full capabilities of the low brass section (trombone, bass trombone, tuba, euphonium). He was inspired by Anton Bruckner, whose symphonies are known for their powerful brass moments.
This piece presents technical challenges for players, including precise intonation, breath management and ensemble cohesion.
Listen out for rich, resonant sounds – especially with the brilliant acoustics of the cathedral – that feel dark and brooding.
Gegensätze
Composed by Paul Terracini (1957 - )
9 minutes
Paul Terracini's Gegensätze is a fascinating work for brass that explores contrasts, as the title – German for ‘opposites’ or ‘contrasts’ – suggests. This composition plays with opposing elements in music, such as dynamics, tempo, and mood, creating a compelling listening experience that pushes the expressive boundaries of brass instruments.
Terracini takes full advantage of the brass ensemble’s capacity for extremes, moving from delicate, soft passages to intense, powerful climaxes. You’ll never guess where it’s going next!
Musicians
David Bremner
Conductor
David Bremner has been Principal Trombone of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) since 2002. A New Plymouth native, he began his musical journey on cornet and euphonium, taught by his father, Trevor Bremner. After switching to trombone, he graduated with honors from Victoria University of Wellington under Marc Taddei and earned a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory, supported by the Patricia Pratt Scholarship, studying with Mark Lawrence.
David has featured regularly as a soloist around the world, including the world premiere of Gareth Farr’s Funambulistic Strains, Lyell Cresswell’s Kaia, and Sandstrom’s Double Trombone Concerto with Christian Lindberg. His debut solo album, Gung-Ho, won the Classical Music Award at the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.
As a conductor, he has conducted Brass Bands across Australasia, winning 11 Australasian A Grade band titles, and is the Music Director of the National Band of NZ. A versatile musician, David has collaborated with Crowded House, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, and Sting.
Passionate about education, David has been Director of Education for Brass Bands New Zealand, and founder and trustee of the New Zealand Brass Foundation. He also presents Brilliant Brass on Radio Concert, showcasing his dedication to brass music.
Orchestra List
David Bremner Conductor
Horn
Greg Stephens Guest Principal First
Claudia Leggett Guest Principal Third
Jules Evans
Roger Jackson
Julian Leslie
Trumpet
Fletcher Cox Principal
Mark Bain
Darcy O'Malley
Glenn Schultz
Melanie Wilkinson
Trombone
David Robins Principal
Jackson Bankovic
David Bremner
Jack Machin
Euphonium
James Blackford Guest Principal
Bass Trombone
Jason Luostarinen Guest Principal
Tuba
Rachel Kelly Principal
Timpani
Matthew Goddard Principal
Percussion
Gary Wain Principal
Tracey Patten
*Correct at time of publishing
St David's Cathedral
Epic sounds in a unique space
The church’s grand stone and timber interior create a unique acoustic environment.
23 Murray St,
Hobart TAS 7000
Coming up
Brass in St David's Series
Conveniently packaged in the new St David’s Series Package - or as part of your own curated concert package - discover next year's concerts and join us in St David's Cathedral.
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