Sunday, February 21, 2016

Composer Study: Samuel R. Hazo

Composer Samuel R. Hazo has some pretty spectacular band music out there, for all levels, although his compositions for more advanced, older groups are particularly amazing. Easily his most popular or widest known is Arabesque, but there are others that are incredible as well. In this post, I will be looking at four of his pieces; Arabesque, Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song, Ride, and Solas Ane.

Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song

A masterpiece with a plot, this song tells the story of a Japanese girl as she falls in love with an American man, only to be conflicted between the love for her country and him. Beautiful and heartfelt, it is very easy to hear the story; the song is quite picturesque. Beginning with a simple flute solo representing a music box, the main melody is absolutely gorgeous. In fact, woodwind solos are a common theme in Hazo's work. Then we hear the American's theme as the brass enter with a grand counter melody. As the two themes collide, the piece builds and builds, adding opposing percussion beats as it goes, until the climax of the piece, where the girl is facing the most inner conflict, unsure of her love for her country or the man she loves. She chooses her country, as the song ends with the same flute melody heard at the beginning and the girl cries up listening to the music box. Overall, it is a stunning piece of music that sounds like it belongs in a Studio Ghibli film.

Ride
Much more forceful, upbeat, and energetic than Fantasy on a Japanese Folk, Ride has some pretty spectacular horn rips and an alto sax solo that makes the piece. Although the part at 1:23 is reminiscent of it, as the woodwinds, brass, and percussion are all playing different things on top of each other. That is actually a key feature of Hazo's music- you can guarantee at some point in any of his songs, those three groups are all doing something different all at the same time. Also unlike Fantasy other than the style, this piece also stays fairly loud and in your face for the whole song, with the exception of a brief middle section, and includes much more unison work. Overall, while it is much different than some of his other work, Ride is most certainly a Hazo piece.


Arabesque
As previously mentioned, Arabesque is Hazo's main claim to fame, and probably technically the most challenging, at least for the poor woodwinds. Another one of his world-type compositions, this piece is Middle-Eastern in style, with a minor tonality and plenty of complicated woodwind lines. Featuring both the counter melodies, grandiose nature, and world influences of Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song and the energy, drive, unison lines, and volume of Ride, Arabesque is the essential Hazo piece. I would also like to bring special attention to the oboe and flute solos- they are well-written, and very befitting for the style. Arabesque is certainly one stellar song, worthy of its status and Hazo at his finest.

Solas Ane
Translated to Yesterday's Joy, I had the pleasure of playing this song at an honor band as a flutist, so I can confidently say this is a fabulous piece of music. Again featuring the woodwind solos, this piece draws influence from Celtic and Scottish folk music. This piece, however, strays from the crowd as it focuses more on the beautiful, softer stuff than the loud, epic, immersing sections, although in that regard, this piece has one of the best, starting at 2:01. I don't even have the words to describe the awesome, epic, beauty of this section of music. With the percussion pounding, the woodwinds soaring, and the brass singing, the section at 2:01 is probably one of my favorite parts of music that I have ever played, and is an absolute treat to listen to. What more is there to say, other than endless praise for this piece and its composer?


In conclusion, Samuel R. Hazo has figured out a formula, and followed it, but that formula is like the Krabby Patty Secret Formula- it is always amazing, and if it were to come from anywhere else, it wouldn't be the same. I have just simply fallen in love with this guy, and have nothing negative to say. I just wish I could play more of his masterpieces.


videos:
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)