A work of art is seldom about one thing.
In “Colors” (1998), composer Bert Appermont balances what might be characterized as formal and emotional inspirations.
“On the one hand, I wanted to create a solo piece based upon the colors yellow, blue, red and green,” Appermont said. Yet he also wished to pay homage to an uncle, a trombone player who had passed away. “The heavy struggle that this man went through at the end of his life might be symbolized in the second movement of the concerto, which sounds like a battle,” he said.
At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, St. Louis Symphony trombonist Jonathan Reycraft will join the Washington University Wind Ensemble for a performance of “Colors” in the university’s E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall.
The free concert, presented as part of the symphony’s Community Partnership program, also will feature music of Steven Bryant, Robert Jager and Darius Milhaud.
The E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall is in the 560 Music Center, located at 560 Trinity Ave. in University City. For more information, call 314-935-5566 or email daniels@wustl.edu.
About the performers
Reycraft, a teacher of applied music in Arts & Sciences, joined the St. Louis Symphony with the 2006-07 season. He also performs as a member of the quartet Trombones of the St. Louis Symphony. He previously served as assistant principal trombone for the United States Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Md.
The Wind Ensemble is conducted by Chris Becker. Composed of undergraduate and graduate musicians from across the university campus, the ensemble performs both classic and contemporary wind repertoire in four public performances each year.
St. Louis Symphony Community Partnership program
Guest musicians for the performance are sponsored by the St. Louis Symphony’s Community Partnership program, which presents more than 250 free events, concerts and classes each year throughout the greater St. Louis area.
For more information about upcoming events, or to find out how you can help, visit the Community and Education section of the St. Louis Symphony website at stlsymphony.org, or call 314-286-4432.