Music on Thursdays
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Thursday
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Solis Trio
Eliza Talman, trumpet
Hannah Williams, horn
Meggie Murphy, trombone
courtesy of the Royal Academy of Music
Programme
Eric Ewazen (b1954)
Philharmonic Fanfare (2004)
Ian McDougall (b1938)
Trio for Brass (1981)
Recitative and Fanfare slow but flowing (quasi rubato)
Joseph Kosma (1905-1969)
arr Pete Middleton (b1950s)
Autumn Leaves (1945)
Dario Argentesi (b1985)
Divertimento for Brass Trio (2021)
I Andantino sempre cantabile
II Menuet
Trio: Octatonic Whimsy
III March
Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
arr Pete Middleton
music from the opera Carmen
Scott Joplin (c1868-1917)
arr Bill Holcombe (1924-2010)
Scott Joplin Concert Suite
Concert duration approx: 40 minutes
LCAS Outreach: Following this concert, Solis Trio will be giving two short concerts for the pupils of Leatherhead Trinity Primary School. There they will introduce the sounds of their instruments and play solo and ensemble pieces for the pupils.
Not linked to a concert, the Society has also funded a visit by Piano Tuner / Technician Tim Hendy to assess and improve the School's three pianos.
Please help fund these visits by donating to LCAS at:
cafdonate.cafonline.org/14455
Programme Notes
The programme for this concert aims to show how versatile the brass trio can be, and we are opening with Eric Ewazen’s Philharmonic Fanfare written in 2004. Originally it was written for the New York Philharmonic players, as were many of his compositions for brass ensembles.
We then move to Ian McDougall’s Trio for Brass which is made up of four pieces. We will be performing the first movement: Recitative and Fanfare. McDougall pushes the boundaries of modern brass playing with technique, varying style, and dynamics. You will hear Meggie playing the trombone which is featured in the recitative, an open and spacious American solo, while the fanfare is more rhythmic and brash and features all three instruments equally.
To bring the music around to a more known classic, we will then perform Autumn Leaves arranged by a good friend of ours from Somerset, Pete Middleton. This piece features the French horn which is arguably the least ‘jazzy’ instrument out of the three, but Hannah performs the melody with enough musicality to change anyone’s mind about jazz horns . . .
Following on from this arrangement we go back to original trio music with Dario Argentesi’s Divertimento. This piece was written in 2021 and is one of the newest pieces added to the brass trio repertoire. We are always very thankful for composers - especially when they write for brass trio - as our repertoire is often very limited! Divertimento pushes many tonal and rhythmic barriers, especially in the second movement’s ‘octatonic whimsy’.
We return to better known territory with another of Pete’s arrangements, this time it is a suite of music from the opera Carmen by Bizet. This opera is iconic for its rebellious and energetic character, and specific tunes you might recognise are the Toreador Song, Habañera, and the Sur La Place.
The next piece we are playing is a newly commissioned piece for Solis trio called Sandwishes by our friend Owen Spafford. Owen is an incredible folk fiddle player and composer at RAM and was kind enough to compose this piece for us. We have workshopped it since December 2022, and its most recent draft was in March so there is a strong chance this will keep developing throughout the years that we perform it. As I’m sure you will notice, if you are reading this while we play, it includes a poem about … sand!
To end this programme, we will play the Scott Joplin Suite. We thought this would be a great end to our program as it adds a lighter touch to our repertoire and includes classics like The Entertainer.
We hope you have enjoyed our lunchtime recital!
We then move to Ian McDougall’s Trio for Brass which is made up of four pieces. We will be performing the first movement: Recitative and Fanfare. McDougall pushes the boundaries of modern brass playing with technique, varying style, and dynamics. You will hear Meggie playing the trombone which is featured in the recitative, an open and spacious American solo, while the fanfare is more rhythmic and brash and features all three instruments equally.
To bring the music around to a more known classic, we will then perform Autumn Leaves arranged by a good friend of ours from Somerset, Pete Middleton. This piece features the French horn which is arguably the least ‘jazzy’ instrument out of the three, but Hannah performs the melody with enough musicality to change anyone’s mind about jazz horns . . .
Following on from this arrangement we go back to original trio music with Dario Argentesi’s Divertimento. This piece was written in 2021 and is one of the newest pieces added to the brass trio repertoire. We are always very thankful for composers - especially when they write for brass trio - as our repertoire is often very limited! Divertimento pushes many tonal and rhythmic barriers, especially in the second movement’s ‘octatonic whimsy’.
We return to better known territory with another of Pete’s arrangements, this time it is a suite of music from the opera Carmen by Bizet. This opera is iconic for its rebellious and energetic character, and specific tunes you might recognise are the Toreador Song, Habañera, and the Sur La Place.
The next piece we are playing is a newly commissioned piece for Solis trio called Sandwishes by our friend Owen Spafford. Owen is an incredible folk fiddle player and composer at RAM and was kind enough to compose this piece for us. We have workshopped it since December 2022, and its most recent draft was in March so there is a strong chance this will keep developing throughout the years that we perform it. As I’m sure you will notice, if you are reading this while we play, it includes a poem about … sand!
To end this programme, we will play the Scott Joplin Suite. We thought this would be a great end to our program as it adds a lighter touch to our repertoire and includes classics like The Entertainer.
We hope you have enjoyed our lunchtime recital!
Solis Trio
Hannah Williams, Meggie Murphy, and Eliza Talman formed the Solis Trio in 2018 as students at Wells Cathedral School. Their shared passion and enthusiasm for music inspired them to establish the ensemble when they were just 16 to pursue a high standard of chamber music.
In 2020 Eliza and Hannah joined Meggie at the Royal Academy of Music and they are now a London based group, enjoying the opportunities that the city brings.
Solis have received coaching from a wide range of teachers in the profession, including Emily White and Paul Denegri, and they currently receive coaching from Bob Hughes, Rex Martin, Jim Maynard and Simon Cox.
In June of 2021 the trio won the prestigious ‘Brass Ensemble Musicians' Company prize’ at the Royal Academy of Music, which has led to them being young artists with the company. Since then they have performed in many concerts, such as the Lord Mayor of London’s Big Curry lunch, a lunchtime concert in Regents Hall, and in brass showcases at the Royal Academy of Music.
Having also gained a place on the Ferrandou music scheme, they are now looking forward to spending a week in France performing in three evening recitals!
The trio also work in learning and participation, where they have performed at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Merton Dementia-hub, the Signature care home in Barnet, as well as leading a masterclass with Harrow-on-the-Hill students.
The brass trio formation is not particularly common so they have arranged their own works and have been able to record a lot of their repertoire; some of which has been broadcast on radio! This lack of recognition for the brass trio has spurred them on to promote the ensemble, and they are always in the process of creating exciting new commissions. These include a piece written by fellow RAM student Owen Spafford.
In 2020 Eliza and Hannah joined Meggie at the Royal Academy of Music and they are now a London based group, enjoying the opportunities that the city brings.
Solis have received coaching from a wide range of teachers in the profession, including Emily White and Paul Denegri, and they currently receive coaching from Bob Hughes, Rex Martin, Jim Maynard and Simon Cox.
In June of 2021 the trio won the prestigious ‘Brass Ensemble Musicians' Company prize’ at the Royal Academy of Music, which has led to them being young artists with the company. Since then they have performed in many concerts, such as the Lord Mayor of London’s Big Curry lunch, a lunchtime concert in Regents Hall, and in brass showcases at the Royal Academy of Music.
Having also gained a place on the Ferrandou music scheme, they are now looking forward to spending a week in France performing in three evening recitals!
The trio also work in learning and participation, where they have performed at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Merton Dementia-hub, the Signature care home in Barnet, as well as leading a masterclass with Harrow-on-the-Hill students.
The brass trio formation is not particularly common so they have arranged their own works and have been able to record a lot of their repertoire; some of which has been broadcast on radio! This lack of recognition for the brass trio has spurred them on to promote the ensemble, and they are always in the process of creating exciting new commissions. These include a piece written by fellow RAM student Owen Spafford.
click to enlarge
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Trumpet-player Eliza Talman grew up in Frome, Somerset, picking up the cornet in her local town band at the age of 8. Switching to Flugelhorn and then trumpet she won a full scholarship to Wells Cathedral School before winning another full scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, where she is now in her third year. She was a part of The National Youth Orchestras of Great Britain where she was principal trumpet in her third year, soloing in the BBC proms. At Wells, she won the Malcolm Arnold trumpet prize and the Concerto Competition, both as a solo trumpet player. She has now performed the Haydn Trumpet Concerto with two orchestras! |
At the Academy Eliza has been part of many projects including the Symphonic Brass
recording of Rosenkavalier in 2022 and the operas L’Heure Espagnol and Schicchi. She performed and recorded the world premiere of Remnant by Helen Grime, written for Solo C trumpet.
Eliza takes part in numerous outreach projects and was appointed as a trustee with the Jackdaws Music Education trust In 2021. She has done many workshops in London too, including primary and SEND classes as well as private teaching.
With her brother Stan, she formed a ‘Talman Duet’ in the lockdown, made up of trumpet and marimba, performing in the 2022 Budleigh Music Festival and the Frome Music Festival, where they will return in 2023!
In 2021 and 2022 she branched out working as an actor-musician in the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith; playing the trumpet, flugelhorn, ukulele, violin, penny whistle, glockenspiel, and singing!
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Horn-player Hannah Williams grew up in Devon and was surrounded by music from a young age. Hannah is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music on a full scholarship, and is taught by David Pyatt, Martin Owen and Richard Watkins.
Hannah has played with the English Chamber Orchestra and also made recordings for Tom Odell, as well as playing in the Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, highlights including a performance of Mahler 3 at the Royal Festival hall. Before moving to London, Hannah won a scholarship to Wells Cathedral School where she studied under Simon de Souza. In 2021 Hannah won the John Solomon brass prize where she was commended by James Fountain for her musicality and expression. |
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Trombonist Meggie Murphy is an Elton John scholarship holder at the Royal Academy of Music, where she is studying under Matthew Gee, Peter Moore, and Ian Bousfield. During her first year at the Academy, Meggie achieved a place as a finalist in the brass category of the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2020. In 2021 she won the Musicians Company Brass Ensemble prize with 'Solis Trio' and subsequently became part of the Musicians' Company brass scheme. Meggie is a versatile player, having good knowledge and experience of playing the alto trombone, euphonium, and bass trumpet to a performance standard. She has had orchestral experience on alto playing Mozart Requiem, Schubert 8 and Schumann 3, as well as playing the Planets and Ein Heldenleben on euphonium. |
Meggie has performed an arrangement of Wagner’s ring cycle on bass trumpet with The Royal Academy of Music Symphonic Brass, conducted by Ian Bousfield. In 2022 Meggie went on to win the British Trombone Society Quartet Competition with 221 Bones. Meggie also went on to win a place as part of the Philharmonia MMSF Fellowship Programme 2022-2023 where she receives coaching from Byron Fulcher on audition prep, career advice, orchestral sit-ins and general orchestral etiquette.
Meggie has worked professionaly with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Knussen Chamber orchestra and was part of the Love Actually in Concert UK Tour 2022.
Recordings of the works in today's concert
As several of these works are recent compositions we have not found matching recordings for the entire programme
Eric Ewazen (b1954)
Philharmonic Fanfare (2004) [3:00]
Wenham Street Brass in Duxbury, MA, April 2014. Matt Baker, trumpet Joseph Walsh, trombone Justin Stanley, horn
Philharmonic Fanfare (2004) [3:00]
Wenham Street Brass in Duxbury, MA, April 2014. Matt Baker, trumpet Joseph Walsh, trombone Justin Stanley, horn
Ian McDougall (b1938)
Trio for Brass (1981) {5:30]
Recitative and Fanfare slow but flowing (quasi rubato)
Here comes a chance to follow the music score. The trombone opens in this strangely unnamed recording.
Joseph Kosma (1905-1969)
arr Pete Middleton (b1950s)
Autumn Leaves (1945) [5:00]
Unfortunately, we could not find a recording of Pete Middleton's arrangement. This beautiful brass band arrangement is by Bill Geldard.
We hear the University of Huddersfield Brass Band, conducted by Jonathan Beatty, performing in UniBrass 2020, hosted at Bangor University.
The soloist is Siobhan Bates on tenor horn. She was awarded the prize for best soloist for this performance. The band came 3rd in the UniBrass Trophy 2020. You can find out more about this competition for UK university brass bands here: www.unibrass.co.uk
Dario Argentesi (b1985)
Divertimento for Brass Trio (2021) [8:10]
I Andantino sempre cantabile
II Menuet : Trio: Octatonic Whimsy III March
A further opportunity to follow a score, and yet again, the performers are not named:
Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
arr Pete Middleton
music from the opera Carmen
Another of Pete Middleton's arrangements has not made it to youtube yet.
Owen Spafford (b2002)
Sandwishes (2022 & 2023)
Leeds born Owen Spafford is a young fiddle player in the folk genre. His main partner is guitarist Louis Campbell. As there is no online recording of Sandwishes, here is his Nineties played by Owen and Louis. How similar is this to Sandwishes? We shall have to tell you that after the concert!
Sandwishes (2022 & 2023)
Leeds born Owen Spafford is a young fiddle player in the folk genre. His main partner is guitarist Louis Campbell. As there is no online recording of Sandwishes, here is his Nineties played by Owen and Louis. How similar is this to Sandwishes? We shall have to tell you that after the concert!
Scott Joplin (c1868-1917)
arr Bill Holcombe (1924-2010)
Scott Joplin Concert Suite
Bill Holcombe's arrangements of The Entertainer and The Maple Street Rag are available online. We have chosen the latter for this wind group recording by Tetra Winds - Shawn Wyckoff, flute, Megan Marolf, oboe, Sean Rice, clarinet, and Alexander Popov, bassoon:
Previous concert
13th Apr 2023 - Hannah Shilvock bass clarinet & Viola Lenzi piano - click here
Next concert
27th April 2023 - Tailleferre Ensemble (woodwind) - click here
