Songs of the Sun
Canções do Sol
by Eric Ewazen
Chamber Music - Sheet Music

Chamber Music Trombone, Piano

SKU: PR.114415390

Canções do Sol. Composed by Eric Ewazen. This edition: Piano Reduction version. Sws both. Contemporary. Set of Score and Parts. With Standard notation. Composed 2011. 28+8 pages. Duration 18 minutes. Theodore Presser Company #114-41539. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.114415390).

ISBN 9781598064186. UPC: 680160606450. 9x12 inches.

Composed in the traditional three-movement format, Eric Ewazen’s third trombone concerto was composed in memory of one of Brazil’s greatest trombonists, a former theory student of the composer. The title SONGS OF THE SUN evokes the inspiration of Brazil’s natural splendor and sizzling musical traditions, with movement titles like “Showers and Rainbows,” and a Latin-dance feel underlying the exciting lyricism that has made Ewazen a favorite with trombonists. For advanced performers. Duration: 18'_______________________________________Text on the back cover:Songs of the Sun (Canções do Sol)Concerto No. 3 for Trombone and OrchestraSolo Trombone and Piano Reduction (114-41539)Composed in the traditional three-movement format, Eric Ewazen’s third trombone concerto was composed in memory of one of Brazil’s greatest trombonists, a former theory student of the composer. The title SONGS OF THE SUN evokes the inspiration of Brazil’s natural splendor and sizzling musical traditions, with movement titles like “Showers and Rainbows,” and a Latin-dance feel underlying the exciting lyricism that has made Ewazen a favorite with trombonists.
SONGS OF THE SUN was written as an In Memoriam to one of the finest musicians and finest people I have had the wonderful pleasure of knowing, Radegundis Feitosa. Radegundis was one of the premiere trombonists in Brazil, a treasured student of Per Brevig, and best friends with James Lebens who commissioned this piece in his memory. I also had a wonderful connection with Radegundis. He was my theory student (an “A” student!!) at Juilliard, and in 2010, he hosted a trombone convention, and a concert of my music at the Conservatory of Joao Pessoa in Northeastern Brazil. Jim Lebens was also an invited guest, and they both played my Pastorale for two trombones and piano, with me accompanying. Having met Radegundis’ beautiful wife Heleno, and his terrific sons, both excellent musicians, Simone and Gundinho, I was heartbroken for the family to find out that two weeks after the festival, Radegundis was killed in a car accident. The International Trombone Convention was going on right about that time in Austin, Texas. At one of the big concerts, they made the sad announcement about his passing, and in Tribute to Radegundis, they suggested that the audience... Laugh!!! Radegundis had a rollicking, fun personality with this great big cackling laugh – that ALL the trombonists knew! So amid tears and genuine shock, the audience laughed!!So with Songs of th e Sun, I wanted to portray the sunny nature of Radegundis – not to be maudlin or melancholy, but to celebrate his life, and his beloved country of Brazil, one of the most colorful, spectacular and dramatic countries I have visited. I was inspired by haunting, energetic, traditional samba rhythms in the 1st movement, with some Jobim-influenced harmonies as the music portrays the glorious rainbows and sudden burst of afternoon showers in a beautiful day in Brazil. In the 2nd movement, portraying deep green valleys nestled amid towering, almost sculpted mountains, seen in the breathtaking landscapes in and around Rio de Janeiro, the music is soft and delicate, and in the final movement the brilliant colors of the landscapes, the architecture, the clothes, the tropical vegetation are portrayed with a nod to the African heritage of Northeastern Brazil, where Radegundis lived and taught, with bold, stirring rhythms, and a sense of life-affirming energy.I am also very grateful to the extraordinary trombonist, James Lebens for commissioning the work. His spectacular and heartfelt interpretations of solo trombone music was a big inspiration to me as I wrote the piece, which was premiered in its orchestral version in June 2011 by the Orchestra of Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, with Radegundis’ and James’ teacher, Per Brevig, a great friend of mine, conducting, and the piano version was premiered at Juilliard in October 2011.