What about the music?

Coleman’s Fanfare for Uncommon Times was commissioned and premiered by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s in 2021.  It is arranged for brass and percussion ensemble. Coleman describes her aim for this composition as a “a piece that brings people together… a piece that touches that within us, that thing that wants to survive.” She wanted to include much of the Black experience in, including “the turmoil, the upheaval” associated with conversation of race in America. She found that “it almost seems sarcastic… to write a fanfare for the times we are currently living in,” hence the name Fanfare for Uncommon Times. This piece serves as an introduction into mankind’s journey into a new era; it represents “the courage and guarded jubilation one will feel as they enter uncertain times,” as Coleman describes.

The piece opens with a raucous brass chorale, giving this piece an awestriking start that indicates the beginning of this new era that Coleman speaks of. This demanding character is then interrupted by a trumpet call, introducing a new militaristic quality to the piece, showing the developing courage as we travel into this new era of humanity. It unfolds into a more rhythmic character and the percussion ensemble starts to take over. From this switch, the piece because more lyrical. The brass then tunefully soars above the rhythmic percussion, highlighting the guarded jubilation associated with uncertain times. However, the melody picks up pace as the piece excitingly comes to a triumphant end, illustrating a semblance of hope for real change in America. This piece is a great introduction into the interplay not only between sound textures of the brass instruments and percussion, but also highlights the variety of colors wind ensembles can create. Coleman’s compositional mastery is evident through her balance of melodic and rhythmic exchanges. Fanfare for Uncommon Times is a great piece to introduce audiences into the future and applicability of classical music into today’s social conversations.

Philharmonia Fantastique is a revolutionary work in the blend of electronics and classical music. The piece is a concerto for orchestra and aminated film that interacts with the instruments of the orchestra through the work. The film elements provide an engaging and innovative guide to the orchestra through a blend of traditional and modern animation styles. Throughout the film and piece, audiences will see strings vibrating, brass valves slice air, and drums resonating as the camera explores the inside and outside of each instrument. Not only does this piece introduce non-musicians to the beauty and harmony of a traditional orchestra, but also reveals the future of classical music as more composers seek to blend technology and music as Bates has done in his Philharmonia Fantastique.

Bates introduces the orchestra by separating the ensemble into its four major families: strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. He creates themes and animations to characterize each family, establishing their own personality much like each family’s unique timbre. Thus, this sense of individuality develops a sense of tension between each family, requiring each instrument group to learn how to play and understand each other by learning to play each other’s melodic themes to create the beautiful harmonies of an orchestra. The charming nature of both the music and animation is sure to entice audiences to explore the past and future of traditional orchestras.