Eastman Wind Ensemble
‘Images: Music of Jeff Tyzik’
Summit Records
In recent years, the
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has seemingly performed compositions by Principal
Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik more consistently than that of any other composer. It’s
for this reason that the Eastman Wind Ensemble’s album “Images: Music of Jeff
Tyzik,” released in October, initially feels both entirely appropriate and
largely unnecessary.
But beyond the presence of the overly
familiar “Images: Musical Impressions of an Art Museum” – played here with sparking energy – conductor Mark Davis Scatterday and
company introduce listeners to more obscure Tyzik works. With the help of
soloist Charles Ross, Concerto for Timpani is an electrifying, charismatic romp
that demonstrates Tyzik’s eagerness to incorporate bluesy melodies and
Afro-Cuban rhythms. Featuring percussion soloist Michael Burritt, “Riffs”
successfully fuses big-band aesthetics and wind ensemble instrumentation.
This article appears in Dec 19-25, 2018.
