Playing with Fire

From Wind Repertory Project

Frank Ticheli

Frank Ticheli


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General Info

Year: 1992 / 2008
Duration: c. 25:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Jazz ensemble and orchestra
Publisher: Unknown
Cost: Score and Parts - Unknown


Movements

  1. A la Baudue – 6:30
  2. Shades of Blue – 10:00
  3. Polyphonies and Riffs – 8:25


Instrumentation

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

In 1992 I composed a concerto for traditional jazz band and orchestra, 'Playing with Fire,''for the Jim Cullum Jazz Band and the San Antonio Symphony. I experienced tremendous joy during the creation of Playing with Fire, and my love for early jazz is expressed in every bar of the concerto. However, after completing it, I knew that the traditional jazz influences dominated the work, leaving little room for my own musical voice to come through. I felt a strong need to compose another work, one that would combine my love of early jazz with my own musical style.

- Program Note by composer


Playing with Fire was originally composed in 1992 as a concerto for the Jim Cullum Jazz Band and the San Antonio Symphony, who gave the work its premiere performance on April 9, 1992, at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio. The present version was commissioned in 2008 by the Texas A&M Wind Ensemble, Timothy Rhea conductor.

The concerto is in three movements. The first, A la Bauduc, is a musical tribute to the late great drummer Ray Bauduc, whose playing was so colorfully rhythmic it sounded almost as if his drums were dancing. A gentle, soulful blues melody provides the foundation for the second movement, Shades of Blue. Many “shades” are painted, from the warm, lyrical introduction in the ensemble to the dark blue F minor tones of Jim Cullum’s solo cornet improvisations. The finale, Polyphonies and Riffs, begins with an up-tempo tune that quickly evolves into a hot, relentless blues. After the solo clarinet’s long, hypnotic solo improvisation on the blues, the ensemble joins in, playing riff after riff, building in intensity to a tremendous climax.

Playing with Fire is dedicated to the memory of our fathers, Frank Ticheli Sr., and Jim Cullum Sr.

- Program Note from liner notes from Reference Recordings CD Playing with Fire


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) Wind Ensemble (Damon Talley, conductor; Doreen Ketchens, clarinet) - 26 November 2024
  • Texas A&M University (College Station) Wind Symphony (Frank Ticheli, conductor; Jim Cullum Jazz Band) – 4 March 2009


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

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