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(U.S.A.)
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Gaining Access to Traditional Chamber Music Venues with Eclectic Programming |
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Suite drawn from his works Come Down Heavy Adagio from Concerto in G Le Grand Tango Interlude Cantinlène et danse Dances and Other Movements n/d-n/a * Acht Stucke n/d-n/a * avec la collaboration de: with the participation of: Stephen Warner, violon / violin Carolyn Warner, piano et violon / piano and violin * Création / World premiere |
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| Dr. James C. Umble is currently an Associate Professor of Music at Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music. He holds a First Prize in Saxophone Performance from the National Conservatory of Bordeaux, France, where he studied with Jean-Marie Londeix. Umble holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Michigan where he studied with Donald Sinta and a Master of Music degree from Bowling Green State University where he studied with John Sampen.
Dr. Umble is very active as a solo and chamber musician. A recent concert at the Cleveland Museum of Art led Cleveland Plain Dealer critic Donald Rosenberg to write «...Umble must be one of the most elegant exponents of his instrument...he was virtuosic in every way...". He was the 1999 featured guest soloist with the United States Navy Band at its annual Saxophone Symposium, and presented an acclaimed performance of Marilyn Shrude's Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble, written for him in 1993, at the North American Saxophone Alliance's Biennial Conference held at the University of West Virginia. A busy chamber music performance scheduie joining the renowned Cleveland Duo (Stephen Warner, violin and Carolyn Warner, piano – both members of the Cleveland Orchestra) includes regular premieres of new works written for this group. New York Concert Reviews wrote that their Mannes College performance was «...sensuous...an outstanding performance..." They have recently performed at Chatauqua's Logan Series, the Southeastern Music Festival, and other chamber music venues throughout the East and Midwest. They are on the Ohio Arts Council's Touring Ohio Artists roster. Dr. Umble's compact disc "Dejeuner sur l'herbe" has been warmly received and is in record stores internationally. The Saxophone Journal wrote that it is "...an excellent CD performed in exquisite taste... His performing abilities are superb. Hopefully there will be much more heard from this strong, sensitive artist..." His recording of Florent Schmitt's Légende (1918) was released in Fall 1998 on the AUR label, and his recording of Evan Chambers' Rothko-Tobey Continuum is available on compact disc on the Cambria label. Dr. Umble is an active researcher, currently working on a book documenting the life and pedagogy of Jean-Marie Londeix. Umble regularly presents recitals and masterclasses at schools and universities. He has appeared at Michigan State University, Bowling Green State University and many others. |
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| The Cleveland Duo with James Umble regularly appear in concert presenting recitals of newly commissioned pieces, original masterworks and fresh transcriptions for violin and piano, violin saxophone and piano, two violins, and saxophone with piano. This eclectic programming concept has proven very effective in helping us gain access to significant chamber music venues throughout the Eastern, Southern and Midwestern United States as well as in Ontario. The performers are finding a wonderful reception to this original repertoire, one which finds the saxophone playing a central role as a solo and concerted voice. Finding new paying performance venues, working with outstanding orchestral colleagues and developing a new repertoire are just a few of the benefits resulting from this collaboration which reaches beyond the norms of instrumentation and concept for the saxophone. This concept can be embraced by other saxophonists, and this presentation is aimed at increasing this awareness among saxophonists participating in the Montreal Congress in 2000.
In keeping with the vision of the Montreal Congress organizers, then, it is important that saxophonists look creatively at such collaborations as a means of gaining a greater foothold in the musical mainstream. This will be the theme of this lecture/demonstration. |
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| Stephen and Carolyn Warner are 20-year members in the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra. As "The Cleveland Duo" they have also had a major chamber music career, with acclaimed performances worldwide. Their collaboration with saxophonist Dr. James C. Umble has developed over the years into a major concertizing thrust, with recent performances at the Barrier Island Group Chamber Series in Florida, the Chatauqua Festival in New York State, the Severance Hall Chamber Series, the Mannes School of Music, and many, many other venues. | |||||||||||||||||
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