Henry Brant: Orbits (1979)

[@timothytikker1147]

I was present at this performance, at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in San Francisco in March 1979. Someone announced just beforehand that the performance was about to be recorded (for CRI Records), “so please don’t make any sounds that the composer didn’t intend!” A few days before the composer gave a lecture about spatial music at San Francisco State University, where I was then a music student. The performance itself was memorable, in that the 80 trombones surrounded the audience in a circle (the floor plan of the cathedral is squarish). The music is distributed among the trombones specificaly for spatial effects, e.g. those glissansi traveling around the room as they transition from player to player. The audience received the work quite warmly - we all felt that we had participated in a real adventure!

[@stevewilson5701]

I was one of the 80 trombones in SF, but I believe it was Grace Cathedral

[@kathywilkowski725]

It actually was Saint Mary's. Thank you for performing!

[@MolnarPohdap]

It was definitely St Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral on Geary Street. Grace Cathedral Episcopal is a neo-Gothic building on California Street. I played an organ concert at Grace two years later, so I know both places well.

[@rogerparton8572]

This is marvelous!!

[@raymondhorton9668]

Fabulous!!!

[@galas062]

thank you! Please more from Brant...;)

[@ricardotanganelli]

Great music! Unfortunately almost unknown in Brazil...

[@brianhammer5107]

The problem here is the music has too few ideas to sustain its length - a trim down to about eight minutes would have been advantageous.

[@dirtydog2858]

Nay:! The problem is that your brain swelled to the size of a pea and exploded from information overload, Skippy!

[@IulianaCiubuc]

This music brings you fear! I do not like!It scares you!

[@adriansaunders5313]

No it doesn't

[@brianhammer5107]

This stuff actually scares you? Please.

[@timothytikker1147]

I was present at this performance, in a large cathedral with a capacity for 2400 persons, with nearly all seats filled. I sensed no fear in the audience, rather an enjoyable sense of adventure. At the conclusion, the audience applauded warmly.