Appalachian Impressions: Sonata for Euphonium

The third movement of the Canaan Valley Suite

Canaan Valley Suite: III. Blackwater (MIDI)

Satori is the name of a friend’s house in Canaan Valley. Satori is the Japanese word for “sudden enlightenment”, and the views here are nothing short of breathtaking. Here, one can gaze over the Valley while meditating upon the simple joys of life and appreciating the natural counterpoint of the region. Part of the Canaan Valley Suite, this movement features two Euphoniums in an emotive duet.

Satori For Euphonium Duo (MIDI)

Music for a daydream during a snowfall. Featuring vocals by Ileana Ille.

Photo credit: Matt Murphy

snowdream

A piece about a made-up place called Mixolydia. MIDI performance by Matt Jackfert

Mixolydia

Soundtrack for the Sesame Street segment "F is for Food" as part of Season 32, Episode 31. Featuring Olivia Boughton on Viola.

Sesame Street -- F Is For Food

A MIDI rendering of my new piece the Sea of Mountains, describing the frozen waves of the Appalachian Mountains.

Performance by the WVU Wind Symphony; Scott Tobias, conducting.

Program notes:
THE SEA OF MOUNTAINS refers to an experience I had flying over the Appalachians. It wasn’t the first flight I’ve taken over them, or even a particularly interesting one, but it was the first time I noticed the mountains looking like waves of an ocean forming through time on the slowest of scales. A waveform that’s almost frozen in place built on a massive canvas, moving at a glacial pace. In this piece, you’ll hear the experience of the flight over the brooding ancient mountains, the ebbing and flowing of the ripples in the hills, and the spectacular views they’ve created.

The Sea Of Mountains

Commissioned by the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Social Dissonance for Undistanced Orchestra (MIDI)

Reflection

Performance by the WV State Philharmonic Orchestra from November 2022. Conducted by Scott Woodard.

Satori from "Canaan Valley Suite" by the WVSU Philharmonic Orchestra

Featuring Steven and Misa Mead on Euphonium; Benjamin Powell on Piano

Satori From Canaan Valley Suite for Euphonium Duo

Music created just for fun. MIDI performance by Matt Jackfert

Soaring Theme

Written for Jay: A Rockefeller's Journey about the life of Senator Jay Rockefeller. 

Arranged by Matthew Jackfert, Jonathan Adams, and Jenn Adams

Performed by Jon and Jenn Adams -- Montana Skies
with Mark Davis on Percussion

Mixed and Produced by Matthew Jackfert

Prelude in D minor originally written by J.S. Bach, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNMYHy8B7KU

Bach BWV 851 Latin Jam

For the film Jay: A Rockefeller's Life to describe the political showdowns throughout the rising career of Jay Rockefeller, including the elections against his Arch Rival, Arch A. Moore. 

Written by Matthew Jackfert
Performed by Jon and Jenn Adams AKA Montana Skies
with John Query on Percussion

Mixed and produced by Matthew Jackfert

Rock Steady

Mbira-Birra

A Cello Rondo

Quiet Drive

MIDI rendering of "Foggy Moon Over the Gorge" for side-by-side orchestra with youth orchestra and professional orchestra OR stand-alone orchestra

Foggy Moon Over the Gorge

This track is free for download, but must be used by permission. 

Ziad Kawash, Oud

Mustafa -- Oud Solo

Recording from 04-03-16 at Cavendish Hall

Matthew Murchison, Euphonium
Victoria Fatu, Piano
Recording and Mixing by Matthew Jackfert
Composition by Matthew Jackfert

If interested in purchasing, feel free to visit here: https://jackfert.com/product/appalachian-impressions-sonata-for-euphonium/

Photo Credit Pat McDonald

Appalachian Impressions Mvt. 1: Autumn at Grist Mill

Recording from 04-03-16 at Cavendish Hall

Matthew Murchison, Euphonium
Victoria Fatu, Piano
Recording and Mixing by Matthew Jackfert
Composition by Matthew Jackfert

If interested in purchasing, feel free to visit here: https://jackfert.com/product/appalachian-impressions-sonata-for-euphonium/

Appalachian Impressions Mvt. 2: A Train through Snowy Thurmond

Appalachian Impressions Mvt. 3: Hootenanny

"The Thrice Holy" is a setting of the Eastern Orthodox Trisagion Prayers for a capella choir (arranged for String Orchestra here). During the services of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Arabic chant and Russian choral music can be heard calling and responding to one another. This piece attempts to weave both styles into a cry of praise and forgiveness--with emotion that matches the drama that unfolds in the Trisagion Prayers.

The Trisagion Prayers

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; O Lord, wash away our sins; O Master, forgive us our iniquities; O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake.

Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Thrice Holy For String Orchestra

Performed by the West Virginia University Symphony Orchesra
Mitchell Arnold, conductor
Lyell B. Clay Theater, Morgantown, WV
April 2016

On The Shores of Qingdao (performance WVUSO)

Reading by the University of Texas Wind Ensemble 

Spectrum: Mvt. I: Crimson

For the WVSO Pops concert called "Listen Where you Live" featuring area bands Qiet, Bob Thompson Unit, and the Company Stores performing live with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra on May 19th, 2018 at the Clay Center in Charleston.

Music and Lyrics by Christopher Vincent
Arrangement by Matthew Jackfert

Mayfly Man for Orchestra Sample

For the WVSO Pops concert called "Listen Where you Live" featuring area bands Qiet, Bob Thompson Unit, and the Company Stores performing live with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra on May 19th, 2018 at the Clay Center in Charleston.

Music and Lyrics by Casey Litz
Arrangement by Matthew Jackfert

Silence for Orchestra

Performance by the West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra, performed at the Canady Creative Arts Center on September 23rd, 2021 in Morgantown, WV.

Mikylah Myers, violin
Mitchell Arnold, conductor

The Black Bear Awakens--Performance WVUSO

Promo for Performance Today 1/30/19, which will feature a performance of "On the Shores of Qingdao" by the WVUSO, Mitchell Arnold conducting

Performance Today Promo for Wednesday

An epic film score written without an epic film.

The Battle

Music written for the radio show Inside Appalachia

Market Square

For the Charleston Ballet, a mix of Spanish and Arabic themes much like the Alhambra.

Alhambra Suite: Mvt. 1

Spectrum: Mvt. 2: Midnight Blues

Reading by UTWE

for the retirement of artist Susan Phillips

Spectrum: Mvt. 3: Sungold

Written for the Charleston Ballet's Bauhaus project in collaboration with the Huntington Museum of Art.

Alhambra Suite: Mvt. 2

A clip of an interview with Jad Abumrad of Radiolab on September 15th, 2020.

Jad Abumrad Interview Clip

A short piece based on the theme to West Virginia Public Broadcasting's Inside Appalachia.

Mountain Rag

An arrangement of "Seal of the Seven Maidens" from Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Intro (Symphonic)

Matthew Jackfert (b. 1988), son of Jennifer Jackfert and the late Dr. Kent Jackfert, is a native of Charleston, WV. Jackfert holds undergraduate degrees of composition and Chinese studies from West Virginia University and his Masters in composition from the University of Texas in Austin. 

Currently, Jackfert works as a freelance composer as well as a composer and radio host with West Virginia Public Broadcasting.  
Jackfert’s “On the Shores of Qingdao” was a finalist for the ASCAP Morton Gould Awards. Also, his music has been featured on the national radio program “Performance Today” several times and has been featured on NPR's Morning Edition. Jackfert has been played by top orchestras like the Cleveland Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and more.

MattJack

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