Dana Wilson, Concerto for Contrabass - Vivian Shanley and the Lawrence University Wind Ensemble

Описание: Concerto for Contrabass and Wind Ensemble, Dana Wilson (b. 1946)
1:02 I. My voice goes after what my eyes cannot reach
7:42 II. awakening the heart from its ancient sleep
15:41 III. and my soul claps its hands and sings

Vivian Shanley '26, double bass
Winner of the 2025 Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition

Lawrence University Wind Ensemble
Dr. Ceon D. Rumphs, conductor

Note from the composer:
When bassist Nicholas Walker first approached me about writing a bass concerto for him, I became concerned. How could I get such a low instrument to project within the ensemble context? How could this instrument, whose strings are so long and relatively slow to speak, generate the enormous musical energy that an entire concerto requires? Then, of course, I thought about Nicholas’ special approach to the instrument and his excitement about its possibilities; and then I thought of how so many bass players I know love to “dig in.” What resulted was a piece that I hope challenges the soloist while also placing the instrument in a vivid context. During this journey, the bass became for me a truly unique voice. The movement titles reflect this. They are adapted, respectively, from three of my favorite poems:
“Song of Myself #25” by Walt Whitman
“Holy Spirit” by Hildegard von Bingen
“Sailing to Byzantium” by W. B. Yeats

Performed and recorded May 3rd, 2025
Lawrence Memorial Chapel