Research grant produces new music

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New opportunities arise in different ways. For Virginia Commonwealth University professor Rex Richardson, a $50,000 grant from the VCU Presidential Research Quest Fund gave him the opportunity to perform this semester with one of the world’s most prominent brass players, New York Philharmonic principal trombonist Joseph Alessi.

Rex Richardson.
Rex Richardson.

Richardson’s project produced four new major works for solo trumpet and large ensemble —such as wind ensemble and brass band — created with composers Anthony Plog, David Sampson, Andy Scott and Allen Vizzutti.  

“These composers were targeted because their work is broadly known and admired,” Richardson said. “I hope that they will provide a performance outlet for me with ensembles and in … national and international venues, and that many other trumpet soloists around the world, ranging from students to professionals, will perform these works. This will eventually establish them as ‘standard’ repertoire, thereby enhancing the very art form of solo trumpet performance.”

Most of Richardson’s work in the research process involved learning to play the new works — which typically takes between two to four months for each new concerto — and mastering them to the point where he was ready to perform and record.

“For musicians, a critical area of our research entails the production and performance, publishing and recording of new works,” Richardson said. “It’s quite different from research in, say, medicine or engineering.”

In addition to Alessi, Richardson performed two of the four concertos with guest ensembles Brass of the Potomac from Washington, D.C., and the Mid-Atlantic Wind Symphony from Fredericksburg, Virginia.

For musicians, a critical area of our research entails the production and performance, publishing and recording of new works.

Richardson has high hopes for his research, which has given four composers the chance to challenge the conventions of trumpet performance.

“By producing these works, the composers will inspire other composers in terms of their approach to form and demands on the instrumentalists,” Richardson said. “As for the performers, in striving to master the new works, trumpeters will begin to set new standards for technical command, the use of improvisation and expressive possibilities.

“From the perspective of classical/jazz music performers, new repertoire by great composers is the primary mechanism for the development of the art form. Therefore, if these works become mainstream, standard repertoire — as is my goal — then the grant from VCU will have provided an opportunity for the global trumpet community to grow more accomplished and versatile, through the mastery of new music that pushes the current limits of trumpet performance practice.”

Additionally, Richardson said, VCU’s name is attached to each of these works and will travel with them wherever they are performed around the world in the coming years. 

 

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