Observer Reports
The seven-member brass ensemble Septura performs a free concert at Clemson’s Brooks Center at 7:30 p.m., Thursday.
The British group features top brass instrumentalists from the major London orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony and London Symphony.
Women composers are well-represented on the program, which features Clara Schumann’s Piano Sonata in G Minor, transcribed for brass.
The first half of the program is rooted in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with music by Giovanni Gabrieli, Maddalena Casulana and Orlando de Lassus.
The second half moves into the Romantic era with works by Felix Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann.
The Anderson Observer caught up recently by email with Simon Cox, a trumpet player and founder of the ensemble. Cox formerly was with the Helsinki Philharmonic in Finland and now runs the group with his fellow artistic director and trombonist Matthew Knight.
The Anderson Observer: Tell us a little about the program.
Simon Cox: We explore the historical marginalization of female composers and brass chamber music in pieces by Clara Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn, Orlando de Lassus and Maddalena Casulana. It's some of the most beautiful music ever written and works so well with the unique sound of the brass septet. I think the audience can expect to enjoy the rich, exciting sound filling the room!
Anderson Observer: Are you on a U.S. tour?
Cox: Yes, in fact Clemson is the first concert of our tour. It's our second trip to the States, and we're heading up the east coast before we head off to the Midwest and end up in San Francisco. It's a long trip (almost three weeks), but we're really looking forward to bringing our musicmaking to people across the whole country.
Anderson Observer: How did Septura come into being?
Cox: The aim with Septura is to redefine the brass ensemble as a serious artistic medium, akin to a string quartet. We’re very envious of the wonderful music that has been written for other instruments, such as the quartet or piano, by the great classical composers, and we’ve decided we want to get in on the action. As such, we're transcribing our own canon of music, transcribing a wide variety of music for brass septet -- a brand new configuration for classical music which creates an incredibly expressive sound. We've been recording this music for a 10-disc series on Naxos Records, and performing it to audiences around the world over the last five years or so.
Anderson Observer: Of the works you’ll present, what’s your personal favorite?
Cox: It has to be the Lassus “Lagrime di San Pietro.” It's an absolute masterpiece of the Renaissance and allows us to explore so many different colors and emotions.
Septura’s concert is part of the Utsey Chamber Music Series, celebrating 34 years of free classical music performances at Clemson’s Brooks Center.