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Season Listing | Program | Program Notes | Biography
Since its founding in 1997, Red Priest — Piers Adams (recorder), Julia Bishop (violin), Angela East (cello) and David Wright (harpsichord) has given hundred sell-out concerts in many of the world’s most prestigious festivals.
Piers Adams (recorder) was recently heralded in the Washington Post as “the reigning recorder virtuoso in the world today.” He has performed in numerous festivals and at premiere concert halls throughout the world, including London’s Royal Festival, Wigmore and QueenElizabethHalls, and as concerto soloist with the Philharmonia, the English Sinfonia, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music, the Singapore Symphony and the BBC Symphony. In addition to his work with Red Priest Piers has made several solo CDs reflecting an eclectic taste, ranging from his award-winning Vivaldi début disc to David Bedford’s Recorder Concerto — one of many major works written for and premiered by him. He has also researched, arranged and recorded many classical, romantic, impressionist and folk-influenced showpieces, which are a mainstay of his recital programs. For further information please visit www.piersadams.com
Julia Bishop (violin) is one of the outstanding baroque violin specialists of her generation, with a virtuoso style described in the BBC Music Magazine as “psychedelic.” She has toured the world with most of the U.K.’s leading period instrument orchestras, including the English Concert, of which she was a member for six years. Julia has worked extensively as an orchestral leader and soloist, in particular with the celebrated Gabrieli Consort, with whom she has performed internationally and appeared on numerous discs for Deutsche Grammophon. She has also appeared as concerto soloist with Florilegium, the Brandenburg Consort and the Hanover Band.
Angela East (cello) is widely respected as one of the most brilliant and dynamic performers in the period instrument world, praised in The Times, London, for the “elemental power” of her cello playing. She has given numerous concerto performances in London’s Queen Elizabeth and Wigmore Halls, and has performed as soloist and continuo cellist with many of Europe’s leading baroque orchestras. Among her impressive list of concert credits are La Scala, Milan, Sydney Opera House, Versailles and Glyndebourne. In 1991 Angela formed “The Revolutionary Drawing Room” which performs chamber works from the revolutionary period in Europe on original instruments, and whose first eight CDs have received glowing reviews world-wide. Her long awaited disc of Bach’s Cello Suites has recently been released on Red Priest Recordings. Her CD of popular baroque cello works, “Baroque Cello Illuminations,” has received excellent reviews and was chosen as “CD of the Fortnight” in Classical Music Magazine.
David Wright (harpsichord) has established himself as a prominent figure in the early music world. He was an almost entirely self-taught musician before gaining a scholarship to the Royal College of Music, where he won several prizes, including the International Broadwood Competition, and graduated with distinction. He has worked with some of the world’s leading musicians including Emma Kirkby and James Bowman and performed as a soloist with many groups of international renown. He has directed numerous concerts from the harpsichord, including the first modern performance of Arne’s The Blind Beggar of Bethnel Green, and is guest conductor to several orchestras on the continent. Much of David’s time in recent years has been devoted to performing the Goldberg Variations, which he recorded in 2007 and has since toured extensively. With many television and radio broadcasts to his credit, David continues to pursue a busy and varied career as a harpsichordist and became a permanent member of Red Priest in January 2011.
David Greenberg — Red Priest’s regular U.S. guest violinist — taught himself folk fiddle tunes by ear as a young child growing up in Maryland. In the mid ’80s he studied baroque violin with Stanley Ritchie. Greenberg spent the 1990s with Tafelmusik while developing a specialty in Scottish baroque-folk music, recording three groundbreaking CDs in this genre with the group Puirt A Baroque. He immersed himself in Cape Breton traditional music and co-authored the popular treatise on Cape Breton fiddle music, the DunGreen Collection, with his wife, Kate Dunlay. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In addition to Red Priest, regular collaborators include his own Tempest ensemble, David McGuinness, Chris Norman and Doug MacPhee.
Season Listing | Program | Program Notes | Biography
Baroque music revels in the extravagant. The very word “baroque” implies bizarre, irregular and over the top, and the leading musicians of the day were true pioneers, riding the seas of change with wild abandon, ever searching for new musical ideas to titillate the ears and move the souls of the public. Boundaries between high art and street music were yet to be fully established and composers were free to draw inspiration from myriad sources, resulting in a wild and colourful carnival of musical styles.In tonight’s program we have employed a palindromic structure to make a journey through the highways and byways of this fascinating era. Along the way we encounter well known works by the greatest masters of the day – Bach, Handel, Purcell and Vivaldi – alongside strange and fascinating, works from the early days of the Baroque, by composers whose names have not stood the test of time: Castello, Ortiz, Cima and Cazzatti, whose daring stylistic innovations paved the way for the luminaries who followed them.
Most of the works in tonight’s program have been arranged and adapted for the instruments of our ensemble, a procedure which was common throughout the Baroque era; Bach, for instance, adapted the works of Vivaldi and others for solo keyboard, Handel frequently reworked his orchestral material as chamber music, and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons appeared in numerous arrangements (in some 80 different publications) in the century following their composition – including a French transcription for recorder, violin, cello, harpsichord and hurdy-gurdy!The inspiration of folk and dance music is ever present in music of the Baroque – not just in the bucolic revelry of the Four Seasons, but also, for instance, in the music of Bach (hear the rustic Gigue from the suite in A) – a facet which our violinist David Greenberg has taken to its logical conclusion in his amalgamation of Bach with his other love, Cape Breton folk music. We hope the great masters of the past would approve of this kind of juxtaposition — and that through our free and uninhibited approach to their music we are able to bring the Baroque vividly to life!
Season Listing | Program | Program Notes | Biography
Go for Baroque! A BBC Radio favorite, Red Priest is a British quartet famed for
its energetic musicality and theatrical stage style, complete with dramatic lighting, props, costumes… and attitude. They take their name from Antonio Vivaldi, the flame-haired Italian priest, and their music pays homage. On violin, harpsichord, recorder and cello, they serve up bold arrangements still faithful to the original music of Vivaldi, Bach and Baroque Era composers. An album offering a fresh take on “The Four Seasons” was a big seller.
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Season Listing | Program | Biography
Earle of Oxford’s March, William Byrd (1543-1623), Arr. Elgar Howarth
Nutcracker Suite, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), Arr. Roger Harvey
Miniature Overture
March
Arab Dance
Chinese Dance
Trepak
In The Bleak Midwinter, Gustav Holst (1874-1934), Arr. Roger Harvey
Festive Cheer, Traditional, Arr. Roger Harvey
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, George Wyle (1916-2003), Arr. David Cooper
Three Carols, Arr. Roger Harvey
On Christmas Night, Traditional English Carol
Gabriel’s Message, Traditional Basque Carol
I Saw Three Ships, Traditional English Carol
Grown-Up Christmas List, David Foster (b. 1949), Featuring Abby Nichols, Vocalist
Mele Kalikimaka, R. Alex Anderson (1894-1995), Arr. Mike Forbes
Featuring Alan Carr, Bass Trombone as Bing Crosby
And Trombonists, Mark Hetzler, Dylan-Chmura Moore, and Mike Dugan
as the Andrew Sisters
Santa Baby, Joan Javits & Philip Springer, Arr. Iain Maxwell & David Cooper
Featuring Dave Cooper, Flugelhorn
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Richard Storrs Willis (1819-1900), Arr. Roger Harvey
Featuring the Trombone Section
Frosty the Snowman, Jack Rollins (1906-1973), Arr. Mike Forbes
Featuring Keith Lienert, Drums
Conductor
John Stevens, UW-Madison (Emeritus)
Trumpets
John Aley, UW-Madison & Madison Symphony Orchestra
Dave Cooper, UW-Platteville & Madison Symphony Orchestra
Edward Hong, UW-Whitewater & Copper Street Brass Quintet
Jon Schipper, Madisalsa & Phat Phunktion
Horn
Ricardo Almeida, Madison Symphony Orchestra
Trombones
Mark Hetzler, UW-Madison
Dylan Chmura-Moore, UW-Oshkosh
Mike Dugan, UW-Whitewater
Alan Carr, Concordia University Wisconsin
Tuba
Mike Forbes, UW-La Crosse & La Crosse Symphony
Percussion
Keith Lienert, UW-Platteville
Season Listing | Program | Biography
Under the direction of brass-icon, John Stevens, and comprised of the finest professional brass players in the Midwestern United States, the ISTHMUS BRASS is Wisconsin’s premiere large brass ensemble. Established in 2009, the Isthmus Brass was formed in Madison when some of the best and busiest brass players in Southern Wisconsin looked for a way to collaborate and perform together. They initially decided on a course of performing charitable Christmas Concerts especially for Porchlight, Inc. of Dane County (a benefit organization for the homeless). From there they have stepped on to the international stage; especially with a critically acclaimed Summit Records release, “Isthmus Brass Christmas” which has been heralded at “…one of the best” brass Christmas albums of all time. The group is now active year-round and regularly presents concerts of varying styles and repertoire on concert series throughout the Midwest.
The Isthmus Brass Quintet & Percussion is a subset of the larger Isthmus Brass and often gives performances at many smaller venues and provides the teaching component from the larger ensemble in masterclass settings. Both groups promote the ideology of energy, entertainment, and eclecticism of virtuosic repertoire—much of it especially arranged for them—showcasing the best of brass music in a variety of musical settings and styles.
John Aley (Trumpet) is the Professor of Trumpet at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music and a member of the Wisconsin Brass Quintet. He is the Principal Trumpet of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and a former member of the American Brass Quintet. He has also performed with other New York based ensembles such as Musica Sacra, American Symphony Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Ensemble and American Composers’ Orchestra. He can be heard on his solo trumpet recording, Autumn.
Ricardo Almeida (Horn) is a member of the horn section of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and performs extensively throughout Southern Wisconsin as a freelance hornist. Having first established himself throughout Europe as an orchestral horn player, Ricardo is equally proficient as a chamber musician and can be heard on Crystal Records with the NFB Horn Quartet and most recently on a new Albany Records release, “Alec Wilder: Four Suites.”
Alan Carr (Bass Trombone) is a Collins Fellow and DMA candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and also Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at Concordia University Wisconsin. Alan is an active performer, having appeared with the Baltimore, Dubuque, and Hartford Symphony Orchestras, the American Brass Quintet, and Ensemble ACJW of Carnegie Hall. For seven years, Alan was the bass trombonist for the King’s Brass and is also a founding member of the Sequenza Trombone Quartet. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School, Yale University and the Peabody Conservatory and can be heard on Summit, Albany, and Naxos record labels.
Dylan Chmura-Moore (Trombone) is a performer and advocate of contemporary music and is currently the Orchestra Director and Professor of Low Brass at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Dylan is an active solo, chamber, and orchestral musician and recently has performed with Madison Symphony Orchestra, Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Dal Niente, Isthmus Brass, Con Vivo!, and is the member of the brass quintet Ars Ventus.
Dave Cooper (Trumpet) is widely recognized as one of the most versatile trumpets players in the Midwest. His performing affiliations include the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the New Breed Jazz Quintet, The Art Blakey Tribute Band, The Tim Whalen Nonet, and the Isthmus Brass. He is the Chair of the Department of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and also Associate Professor of Trumpet.
Michael Dugan (Trombone) is the Associate Professor of Trombone at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. In addition to his teaching duties, Mike is an active freelance artist throughout the Midwest. Recent engagements include the Milwaukee Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, as well as appearances with many regional orchestras throughout Wisconsin and Iowa.
Mike Forbes (Tuba) is the Principal Tubist with the La Crosse Symphony and as the Tuba/Euphonium Professor at UW-La Crosse. He can also be heard as the tubist with the “Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band” on A Prairie Home Companion and with the internationally recognized, Sotto Voce Tuba Quartet. Mike’s compositions (especially for brass and band) are regularly performed around the world. He has recently released his second solo album on Summit Records featuring his own compositions (Forbes Plays Forbes).
Mark Hetzler (Trombone) is a member of the Wisconsin Brass Quintet and performed with the Empire Brass from 1996-2012. He is the former Principal Trombone of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops and the Florida Orchestra. Mark is a Valade Fellow teaching trombone and formerly chamber music at the Interlochen Summer Arts Festival. He is the Associate Professor of Trombone at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Edward Hong (Trumpet) is an Adjunct Instructor of Trumpet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he also performs with the UW-Whitewater Faculty Brass Quintet. He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Iowa. He has also performed with the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and currently plays with the Cooper Street Brass Quintet.
Keith Lienert (Percussion) is the percussion instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. His performing and teaching career credits include Disneyland’s Collegiate All-Star Show Band, Arizona State University, Arizona School for the Arts, and Elgin Community College in Illinois. He has performed in Southern Wisconsin with the Janesville Armory Dinner Theater, the Dubuque Symphony, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and the PanGo Steel Drum Band from Chicago.
Jon Schipper (Trumpet) is an extremely active freelance trumpeter in Southeast Wisconsin and regularly performs with the Jeff Peronto Jazz Orchestra, Madisalsa, The Madison Jazz Orchestra, Joe Scalissi & The Dry Martinis, Four Seasons Theatre, and The Tim Whalen Nonet. He currently teaches instrumental band and general music at Madison Country Day School in Waunakee, WI, as well as the Jazz program at James Madison Memorial High School.
John Stevens (Conductor) has recently retired from the Tuba/Euphonium Professorship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also served twice as the Director of the School of Music and was a member of the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, a UW-Madison faculty ensemble-in residence. Stevens has enjoyed a varied career as a teacher, orchestral, chamber music, solo and jazz performer and recording artist, composer/arranger, conductor and administrator.
We have joined a new program, AmazonSmile, that lets you help Brown County Music Association while shopping on Amazon. Why not use AmazonSmile when you do online holiday shopping – and online shopping year-round? With AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to charitable organizations you select. Here’s all you need to do to support Brown County Civic Music Association when you shop at AmazonSmile:
Perkins Restaurants will donate 10% of all sales between 5 and 8 p.m. to the Brown County Civic Music Association on the following designated evenings starting Wednesday, December 17.
Tell your family, friends, and neighbors to take a break and have dinner at Perkins. You do not need to identify yourself as a Civic Music member. All diners are included in the donation! We could be in for some delicious fundraising results, and you can make it happen!
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on WPNE (FM) 89.3, WPR host Ruthanne Bessman plays listener’s classical requests on Classics by Request.
Listeners can submit their requests online at www.wpr.org/classics-request or call in toll free during the show at 800-442-7106. This is a great chance to get the word out about Brown County Civic Music Association and hear Isthmus Brass perform by requesting something from their CD, “Isthmus Brass Christmas” (Summit Records), which will be on sale at our concert. Some recordings on it are: “Fum, Fum, Fum,” “Fantasy on Ukrainian Bell Carol” “Trepak” (from “Nutcracker”), “Silent Night” and “What Child is This.” Be sure to mention that Isthmus Brass will be performing in Green Bay at the Ralph Holter Auditorium, West High School, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 13.
Season Listing | Program | Biography
Something special from Wisconsin! Directed by brass icon John Stevens, Isthmus Brass is Wisconsin’s premiere large brass ensemble. The players are a who’s who of University of Wisconsin professors, prominent music alumni and members of professional orchestras and ensembles. Established in 2009, the ensemble began with a series of Christmas concerts and soon took off, invited to perform in concert series and music festivals throughout the Midwest. Last year’s CD release, An Isthmus Brass Christmas, was warmly received. The repertoire spans Renaissance to Big Band Jazz.
