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James A. Beckel, Jr |
Toccata for Orchestra
| Instrumentation | 3(1.2.pic) 2 3(1.2.bcl) 2 - 4 3 3 1 - tmp +3 - hp - pf - str |
| Length | 9' |
| Difficulty | Professional or excellent college |
| Comments | This lively toccata is meant to be a miniature concerto for orchestra. From the string quartet to the lyrical flute and clarinet solos in the middle of the work, to the fugue section, every instrument in the orchestra has a solo moment somewhere in this piece.
It makes a great opener for any subscription concert. |
| Sources | Scores and parts published by composer. Contact us at: musbeck@sbcglobal.net |
| Extras | |
| History | Toccata for Orchestra was commissioned by a consortium of orchestras including the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Alfred Savia, Music Director; the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Mario Venzago, Music Director; the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Joel Levine, Music Director; the Omaha Symphony, Thomas Wilkins, Music Director; and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta, Music Director. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra premiered the work.
The Utah Symphony performed it in 2009 and the Bozeman Symphony will perform it in 2010. |
| Contributor | the composer
http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/ |
| Other | |
Fantasy after Schubert
| Instrumentation | 3(1.2.pic) 2 3(1.2.bcl) 2 - 4 3 3 1 - tmp +3 - hp - str |
| Length | 11' |
| Difficulty | Professional or excellent college |
| Comments | Fantasy after Schubert was commissioned by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra to commemorate its 75th season. The work is dedicated to the orchestra’s sixth Music Director, Mario Venzago.
The form of this piece is as its title implies, and the majority of the musical material from which the work is based is derived from Schubert. There are four main components to Fantasy after Schubert which include: the opening theme to Schubert’s 9th Symphony (the Great C Major), first movement; the lyrical melody from the first movement of Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasy; the urgent dactyl rhythm (one long and two short) from this same piano work by Schubert including the descending suspended harmonic progression that accompanies this rhythm in the first movement of Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasy; and an unrelated-to-Schubert tone row. The interaction of these four main ideas provides an almost rondo-like, theme and variations. |
| Sources | Scores and parts published by composer.
Contact us at: musbeck@sbcglobal.net
http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/Content/Pieces/FantasySchubert.htm |
| Extras | |
| History | Commissioned by the Indianapolis Symphony. and premiered by them in 2004.
Played by the Indianapolis Symphony in 2005 for youth and school concerts. Performed by the University of Oregon Symphony in 2006.
Performed by the Dayton Philharmonic in 2008.
Played on Family concerts by the Indianapolis Symphony in 2009. |
| Contributor | the composer
http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/ |
| Other | |
Liberty for All
| Instrumentation | narrator - 3(1.2.pic) 2 3(1.2.bcl) 2 - 4 3 3 1 - tmp +4 - hp - opt pf - str |
| Length | 12' |
| Difficulty | Professional or excellent college |
| Comments | Liberty for All is an orchestral piece with narration which was made possible through the American Composers Forum as part of the Continental Harmony program. Continental Harmony links communities with composers to celebrate the new millenium through the creation of original musical works. The program is a partnership of American Composers Forum and the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional funds provided by the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, William & Flora Hewlett Foundation and Land O'Lakes Foundation. Continental Harmony is an Associate Partner of the White House Millennium Council.
Liberty for All uses quotes from the Declaration of Independence, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and John F. Kennedy in a very stirring musical setting that arouses the patriotic spirit in any American who listens to it.
The Carmel Symphony is responsible for requesting the grant that made it possible to write this piece. The dedication is in memory of musician and arts administrator, Fran Shoup. |
| Sources | Scores and parts published by composer.
Contact us at: musbeck@sbcglobal.net
http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/Content/Pieces/Liberty%20for%20All.htm |
| Extras | |
| History | Commissioned by the Carmel Symphony. and premiered by them and the Indianapolis Symphony in 2000.
Since then it has been played by over 60 orchestras including Boston Pops, Baltimore, Houston and Virginia.
Reviews:
Rick Rogers, The Oklahoman, March 30, 2004 Beckel, a member of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, is clearly one of the most talented composer/arrangers working today. Borrowing texts from presidential speeches, Beckel created a modern-day equivalent to Copland's A Lincoln Portrait. Yet, while Liberty for All is modeled after Copland, it doesn't attempt to imitate, thereby succeeding wholeheartedly on the strength of Beckel's musical insights. And while he may have drawn inspiration from words by Washington, Lincoln and Kennedy, his classy orchestral setting made them resonate all the more impressively.
Ted McIrvine, Hendersonville Times-News, March 8, 2004 The work demonstrates nuanced compositional skill and excellent use of brass and woodwinds as well as percussion. This was the standout piece on the program. |
| Contributor | the composer
http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/ |
| Other | |
Gardens of Stone
| Instrumentation | narrator - 3(1.2.pic) 2 3(1.2.bcl) 2 - 4 3 3 1 - tmp +3 - hp - str |
| Length | 10' 30" |
| Difficulty | Professional or excellent college |
| Comments | Gardens of Stone was commissioned by the United States Air Force Band of Flight, Lieutenant Colonel Alan Sierichs, Commander. The work is meant to pay tribute to the military men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country. It includes words from President Reagan, General Eisenhower, and President Lincoln. Gardens of Stone is programmatic in nature.
The beginning of this composition is subtitled Sunrise at Arlington Cemetery which is followed by a fast Allegro section entitled Past Battles. The use of the melody from the Civil War song, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, is meant to reflect the hopes and prayers that all soldiers will come home safely from battles. Unfortunately, some do not. This Allegro section is followed with music meant to represent a 21 Gun Salute and Taps. After the Gettysburg Address there is a section entitled Parade of the Fallen Heroes. This final section is a military parade that would allow a color guard to march through the audience onto the stage for the ending of the work if so desired.
This work has been written for both band and orchestra. It is appropriate for patriotic concerts, most particularly, Memorial Day. |
| Sources | Scores and parts published by composer.
Contact us at: musbeck@sbcglobal.net
http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/Content/Pieces/GardensOfStone.htm |
| Extras | |
| History | The orchestral version of Gardens of Stone was premiered by the Indianapolis Symphony and the South Bend Symphony in 2007. It has since been performed by many orchestras nationwide. |
| Contributor | the composer
http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/ |
| Other | |
A Christmas Fanfare
| Instrumentation | 3(1.2.pic) 2 3(1.2.bcl) 2 - 4 3 3 1 - tmp +3 - hp - celeste - str |
| Length | 3' |
| Difficulty | Professional or excellent college |
| Comments | There are three versions of the fanfare, one for symphony orchestra, one for band, and one for Brass Choir. The orchestral version is written to either segue into Leroy Anderson's A Christmas Festival or to stand on its own.
This work has enjoyed much success since it was written in 1992 to open the "Yuletide Celebration" concerts for the Indianapolis Symphony. |
| Sources | Scores and parts published by composer.
Contact us at: musbeck@sbcglobal.net
http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/Content/Pieces/A%20Christmas%20Fanfare.htm |
| Extras | |
| History | A Christmas Fanfare was premiered by Indianapolis Symphony in 1992 and has since then been played extensively for holiday concerts all over America and occasionally in Europe. |
| Contributor | the composer
http://www.jimbeckelmusic.com/ |
| Other | |
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