What do you get when you gather 750 tuba players from around the world on a university campus, hand them musical scores and invite them to literally take a hike?
If you answered “the world’s largest traveling oom-pah band,” you’re catching on.
Actually, you’d get a giant communal-environmental happening the likes of which hasn’t been heard locally since avant-garde guru John Cage took “A Dip in the Lake” as part of then-Mayor Jane Byrne’s New Music Chicago Fest at Navy Pier in 1982.
Developing community, at any rate, is the idea behind Amnon Wolman’s latest, and most unorthodox, opus, “Right Lane Must Turn Right,” which will have its world premiere at 12:15 p.m. Saturday in Evanston as one of the events in the six-day International Tuba/Euphonium Conference, hosted by the Northwestern University School of Music.
Here is a broad outline of how the piece will work:
Each conference participant will be given one of roughly 25 parts and one of 50 map routes through Evanston. One by one, the 750 or more tubists will travel different paths through the Northwestern campus and downtown Evanston, playing Wolman’s composition as they go. Roughly one hour later they will meet up in the parking lot of the music administration building.
Wolman, an associate professor of composition at NU, describes his music as “basically a series of elaborate canons or rounds,” the various parts coming together to create “a web of sound like foghorns” enveloping this city of 73,000.
“If you happen to be anywhere near downtown Evanston, you’ll hear all these variations on a sound–a kind of rhythmic cluster that will be continuously unfolding,” he predicts.
“Since this is a conference, it is important that everyone have an opportunity to hear the piece, not just play in it. So the tubists who finish playing or who have not yet started playing will have the chance to listen.
“Of course, I’m hoping that all residents of Evanston who happen to be out and about Saturday afternoon will be affected by the sound of the piece–not as background music but as something that’s part of life.”
Literally illustrating the notion that there are many ways of arriving at the same place, Wolman’s work is one of a series of pieces named for street signs, including “Stop,” Yield” and the ever-popular “No Dogs or Cats Unless on Leash.”
“General” Wolman has issued the marching order that “Right Lane” will take place–rain or shine. In fact, bad weather would introduce another layer of aleatory (chance) into an already very “chancy” concept, he suggests. “If it rains, the tubists may have to pair off, with one holding the umbrella while the other plays.”
Wolman admits the stereotype of tuba players as rather jolly fellows had a lot to do with his decision to write a monster tuba piece–that and the fact that NU tuba professor Rex Martin, the conference coordinator, asked him if he would compose something to be played at the conference.
“Tubists tend to be a rowdier and more daring crowd” than other orchestral musicians, Wolman observes. “They are good sports to agree to take part in my piece, and I’m sure they will have fun with it.”
– Twenty-five years ago Evanston violinist Vincent Skowronski was one of seven violinists representing the U.S. at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. He will observe the anniversary of that event by giving a recital at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mather Foundation, 1615 Hinman Ave., Evanston. Phone 708-491-9155 for information.
– The Highland Park Strings, Francis Akos conducting, will present a benefit concert to help defray costs of the group’s summer tour of Italy, at 3 p.m. Sunday at Elm Place School, 2031 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park. Tickets are $15; phone 708-432-3673.
– The Oriana Singers, Chicago’s six-voice professional ensemble, will present a free children’s concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at Skokie Library, 5215 Oakton, Skokie. The program includes jazz and show tunes.
