Unveiling two world premiere recordings, the 黑料不打烊 Wind Ensemble will release an album, 鈥�,鈥� on Friday, Aug. 16, dedicated to the 270 lives lost in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on Dec. 21, 1988.
The album contains George Gershwin鈥檚 鈥淎n American in Paris鈥� and 鈥淩hapsody in Blue,鈥� along with two pieces commissioned in remembrance of those who perished in the bombing, including 35 黑料不打烊 students.
The Wind Ensemble is the University鈥檚 premiere concert wind organization. Possessing an extensive history that includes a series of internationally distributed recordings, the ensemble, conducted by Professor and Associate Professor in the 鈥� Setnor School of Music, has commissioned dozens of works.
The Wind Ensemble performed the recently commissioned pieces, 鈥淓nergy and Light鈥� by , assistant professor in the Setnor School of Music, and 鈥淎ngels Rising鈥� by , during its 2023 United Kingdom Remembrance tour, held in observance of the 35th anniversary of the bombing.
鈥淭he scale of that disaster is incredibly humbling and haunting for our community,鈥� says composer Draper. 鈥淚n addition to mourning those who were lost, it is important to remember that each of the students had a vibrant life that should also be celebrated. With that in mind, I decided to write a piece that was about energy and light鈥攖wo direct components of what it means to be alive.鈥�
Following Draper鈥檚 piece, the listener journeys through the four sections of 鈥淎ngels Rising鈥濃€攍ament, chorale, ascent and prayer. The work ends with the everlasting question of existence, composer Ticheli notes.
The final album piece, 鈥淩hapsody in Blue,鈥� featuring pianist associate professor and director of the Setnor School of Music, takes the listener back in time.
鈥淭his recording, celebrating the centennial of its composition, depicts what was likely heard by the audience packing New York City鈥檚 Aeolian Hall on Feb. 12, 1924, when 鈥楻hapsody in Blue鈥� had its premiere with Paul Whiteman鈥檚 Palais Royal Orchestra and Gershwin himself at the piano,鈥� says Laufer.
The Navona Records release will be available in both stereo and Dolby Atmos immersive audio formats. It will be accessible for streaming on Apple Music, Tidal and Amazon Music.
Story by Mikayla Heiss
