Science fiction writer Kurt Vonnegut might be amused that his 1969 literary masterpiece “Slaughterhouse-Five” has been adapted into a concert suite by the same name and is making its world premiere tonight at the Peabody Institute. Like the novel?s time-traveling hero, Billy Pilgrim, anything goes, give or take 40 years.
“The book was [recently] given to me by a friend, and it blew me away structurally,” said composer and Peabody alumnus Brian Drake. “The whole possibility of moving back and forth in time inspired me to write four movements, each with a different compositional style.”
In celebration of Peabody?s 150th anniversary, and performed this evening by the Peabody Wind Ensemble under the direction of Harlan Parker, Drake?s piece features a first movement written in a modern vein. Here, the same melody is performed by different instruments of the orchestra. The second movement is comical, more of a cartoon composition. Drake was going for a “film soundtrack feel” in the third movement where, he says, “sounds imply impact.” The suite?s fourth movement is a traditional ballad.
In reference to the orchestra?s performance of the piece, Harlan Parker noted that “it?s hard, but not crazy hard,” adding that the group “is very excited about it.”
The concert includes Towson University faculty member, Joel Puckett?s work “Ping Pang Pong,” which is a tone poem summarizing the plot of Puccini?s Turandot. The ensemble will also perform Peabody faculty member Nicholas Maw?s “American Games,” which won the 1991 Sudler International Wind Band Composition Competition.
Other works on the program are “Evokatah” by Michael Mogenson and “American Overture for Band” by Joseph Wilcox Jenkins.
IF YOU GO
Peabody Wind Ensemble 150th Anniversary Concert
» Venue: Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall Peabody Institute, 17 E. Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore
» Time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
» Tickets: $18, $10 for seniors, $8 for students; available through the Peabody Box Office, 410-659-8100 ext. 2
