Boston University Wind Ensemble - Expanding Spaces (2019)

Expanding Spaces is a collaborative project between the Boston University Wind Ensemble and four Boston University faculty composers to perform and record contemporary works related to the theme of Expanding Space. Three of these works, “Squares and Oblongs” by Rodney Lister, “four scenes for Juliet” by Ketty Nez, and “The Vacant Shore” by John Wallace were commissioned for this project. The fourth work, “Solar Prominences” by Richard Cornell, was commissioned for the Concord (Massachusetts) Band in 1988 for their 25th anniversary season.

Under the visionary leadership of Professor David Martins, the ensemble regularly performs standard repertoire from a span of over four centuries as well as modern works and premieres. In 2014, they premiered the wind ensemble transcription of John Williams’s Tuba Concerto with Mike Roylance, principal tuba of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 2018, the ensemble performed the US premiere of Gregory Fritze’s Bass Trombone Concerto with Gabriel Langfur, bass trombonist of the Rhode Island Philharmonic and Vermont Symphony Orchestras. This is the ensemble’s third full-length album: in 2013 they released a recording of Ketty Nez’s Piano Concerto entitled “thresholds”, and in 2015, an album of trumpet concerti with world-renowned soloist Terry Everson.

Founded in 1872, Boston University College of Fine Arts School of Music combines the intimacy and intensity of traditional conservatory-style training with a broad liberal arts education at the undergraduate level, and elective coursework at the graduate level.

Tracklist:

01. The Vacant Shore
02. four scenes for Juliet
03. Squares and Oblongs
04. Solar Prominences