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The Boulder Phil. and The Wondrous City

Contributed by: Robin McNeil on 12/18/2007

The Boulder Philharmonic gave a performance on Saturday, November 3, at which they presented the world premiere of a work, The Wondrous City, they had commissioned from Luis Gonzalez. It was commissioned in celebration of the 50th year of the orchestra and dedicated to them and to the city of Boulder.

I have been waiting to read a review of this performance (there were other pieces on the program of course, all well done) but there has been no mention in any newspaper of this celebratory work. Now one would think that such a commission and such an event as the 50th year of the Boulder Philharmonic would elicit a little more attention from area newspapers. There are so many people and young students who live on the fringe of the arts, and yet are totally unaware that serious music is still being written, that everyone who has the ability to support the arts and music should do so. I doubt there are many in Boulder who do not know who Gonzalez is, and many of those were in the audience, for the hall was almost full. But perhaps a newspaper review would have helped spread the word beyond those who normally attend concerts of "serious" music. I strongly suspect that this lack is not due to any given reviewer, but is due to the "cutting back" of financially strapped newspapers. But if the local newspapers do not take the responsibility to promote arts that do not bring in as much money as rock concerts, who will? Was there a preview article? Think of the curiosities that could have been piqued.

Luis Gonzalez' compositions for orchestra, chamber ensembles, choir and solo instruments have been performed in concert halls and festivals of Europe, the U.S.A., South America and Japan. His works have been presented at the International Forum of Composers in Paris, France (1981, 1985 and 1991); some of his compositions have been published by Belwin Mills, Sounding Solitudes Press, Don Henry Music (U.S.A.) and Berben (Italy) and has recordings on Opus One Label, New Arts Recordings, Lejos del Paraiso (Mexico) Consejo Argentino de la Mi sica Collection.

Gonzalez has received many prizes and awards, among them: a Guggenheim Fellowship (1978-79); two First Prizes from the International Composition Competition of the Percussive Arts Society, U.S.A. (1975 and 1.979), Prizes from "Fondo Nacional de las Artes", Argentina (1975 and 1976); Third Prize from the Wieniawski International Competition, Poland (1976); Premio di Composizione Sinfonica Cilia di Trieste, Italy (1978); from Radio France International Guitar Competition (1984), Premio Trinac - from the National Tribune of Composers of Argentina- (1980, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 1993), American Harp Society, U.S.A. (1986), the Faculty Arts Award from the University of Colorado (1990), Faculty Fellowship from the University of Colorado (1995) International Society of Bassists (1997 and 2002) and University of Colorado Award for Creative work ( 1999)

He has received commissions from Universidad Nacional de San Juan (Argentina), Austin Music Festival, Shapleigh Foundation, Encuentros con la Musica Contamporanea (Argentina), Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Cosanti Foundation, North/ South Consonance, Colorado Music Festival, University of Northern Colorado, Sociedad Mexicana de Arpa, University of Kentucky, American Guild of Organists, the Dale Warland Singers and some internationally renown soloists.

His Master of Music and Doctor in Musical Arts degrees are from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Baltimore.

Gonzalez has taught theory at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and theory and composition at the University of San Juan, Argentina, the University of Colorado at Boulder, U.S.A where he was a faculty member at from 1981 to 2003.

This piece is positively euphoric in its mood. Based on a line by the symbolist poet, Arthur Rimbaud, "A l'aurore, armes d'une ardente patience, nous entrerons aux splendides Villes" - In the dawn, armed with a burning patience, we shall enter the splendid cities-, Gonzalez changed the word "splendid' to "wondrous," to celebrate the Philharmonic and the city of Boulder. This eight minute work is in four sections; 1) an Introduction, which contains the themes of the forth coming movements, 2) a Promenade to accompany us as we enter the city, 3) a celebratory Dance, and 4) a Recapitulation of the Promenade with the themes and orchestration slightly varied. Gonzalez - once again - proves he is a master of orchestration - it is rich but light in character, and occasionally reminds me of Ravel. The Promenade is stately but vigorous. The Dance is full of percussion and Gonzalez made use of the tango. Because of the orchestration and the grace and nimbleness of the themes, this work is a delight to listen to. In addition, even though the Introduction is not tonally settled, this is probably the most tonal piece that Luis Gonzalez has written for some time. I certainly hope that this work, commissioned as it was by the Boulder Philharmonic, will be performed often - the word and sound of its existence needs to be spread.

Most of the audience had grey hair. The Gonzalez piece, the Gershwin with the Marcus Roberts Trio, and indeed the Brahms and the Hindemith, all have an appeal that should attract a younger assembly of listeners. But here, in Boulder, is a major composer who is performed world-wide, and there was no review of his newly commissioned work for the symphony that played it.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Robin McNeil

Littleton , CO

Robin McNeil has posted 723 stories and 0 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Robin McNeil 's average story rating is 5.
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