¡A la vida bona!

by Charles Mingus, arranged by Tom Swafford. Soloists: Chung, Krier, Swafford, Loomis. 
violins: Tom Swafford, Mark Chung, Patti Kilroy, Frederika Kirer, Suzanne Davenport, Tonya Benham 
violas: Leanne Darling, Joanna Mattrey 
cellos: Loren Dempster, Brian Sanders 
bass: Dan Loomis 
recorded and mixed by Chris Benham at Big Orange Sheep Studios, Brooklyn, NY April, 2015 
mastered by Hendrik Gideonse 
art by Brandon Wolf 
on "Tom Swafford's String Power" album available on BandCamp 

Fables Of Faubus

April: Bill Smith and James Falzone

From the premiere performance on Oct. 21, 2018 in Portland, OR: Fred Korman, oboe; Sara Mayo, trombone; Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra, Travis Hatton, conductor.

I. Hesitant
II. Energetic (at 3'59)
III. Introspective (at 7'01)
IV. Vigorous (at 11'00)

This Oboe Concerto is dedicated in friendship and admiration to Fred Korman, who commissioned the work. Fred Korman for much of his career performed as the principal oboist of the Oregon Symphony in Portland, OR. The Oregon Symphony was one of the first full-time professional orchestras I ever heard live and, as a student, the playing of the Oregon Symphony’s double-reed sections made a deep and lasting impression on me. I regard Fred’s playing as the epitome of lyricism and suppleness in tone. Though this concerto is certainly not without its technical challenges, mainly I desired to highlight the incredible sense of line, rich tone, and soaring lyricism that I associate with Fred's playing.

Among the interesting challenges Fred requested in his commission is the inclusion of an obbligato tenor trombone part; in his imagination, he felt it would be an intriguing combination, and I agreed. Together we conceived of the trombone part not as an equal soloist, but as a singular member of the accompanying ensemble that provides a surprising color (for an oboe concerto) and enables a greater depth of communication between the soloist and orchestra. I view this as precedented by the solo trumpet part in Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto and the snare drum part in Carl Nielsen’s Flute Concerto, among other notable examples.

Oboe Concerto (2018)

6 - Ain't It Grand

4 - Hannah

John Loggia Aron Namenwirth "from afar" 3 25 20

Aurora Solo Violin Sonata
LIVE recording at Park Church Co-op in Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Performed by Concetta Abbate
Photograph by Vera Comploj

Aurora Violin Sonata by Ysaye (LIVE at Park Church Coop)

Recorded at UNC Greensboro in 2001

Senior college recital of Benjamin Copperhead

Benjamin Copperhead- guitar (left)
Chip Newton- guitar (right)

composed by Clause Debussy
arranged for two guitars by Jorge Martinez Zarate

Claire De Lune

Performed, recorded, and edited by Sara Mayo, 21 Aug. 2020
Mastered by Ryan M. Hare

Early in the era of COVID-19 "sheltering in place" of 2020, with almost no live musical performances happening anywhere, worldwide, I began writing these "Lyric Études" for performers I knew who had requested them, in the interest of maintaining and nourishing musical and creative connections. Lyric Étude No. 4 was requested by and dedicated to Sara Mayo.

Lyric Étude No. 4 for solo trombone

Performed, recorded, edited, and mastered by Ryan M. Hare, 31 Aug. 2020

Early in the era of COVID-19 "sheltering in place" of 2020, with almost no live musical performances happening anywhere, worldwide, I began writing these "Lyric Études" for performers I knew who had requested them, in the interest of maintaining and nourishing musical and creative connections. Lyric Étude No. 14 was requested by and dedicated to Cris Garza. It is in the form of a passacaglia.

(Photo by Stuart Murtland.)

Fables Of Faubus

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