commemoration/homage/event/issues/causes

Dedicated to the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia, WA in honor of their silver 25th anniversay (II - V).Premiere November 7, 2010 by the SOGO Brass Choir with clarinetist Jeff Brooks; Greg Allison conducting.

 

• Commissioned by the Haydn Trio Eisenstadt   
• "The piece is a delight -- intellectually engaging, explosive with imagination and with a satisfying visceral power."  (Stephen Brookes, The Washington Post, 2006)
• "David Froom's Piano Trio No. 2 "Grenzen" -- a piece so full of life it almost bursts out of its skin -- received a spectacularly energetic and focused performance from Elisabeth Adkins on violin, Rachel Young on cello, and Lisa Emenheiser at the piano." (Stephen Brookes, The Washington Post, 2010)
   
  

      

Blue States (2008) was composed during the fall and winter of 2008. The title alludes not only to states that voted for the Democratic nominee in the 2008 election, but also to various jazz elements and moods of sadness, largely abated by the results of the election.

The opening introductory section settles on jazz chords at the end of its long phrases. In the next fugal section a jazz tune is presented in several timbres and speeds, as if a group of players were standing around waiting for their turn to get in a lick. A strong bass line proves counterpoint here and elsewhere throughout the piece.

Two introspective sections follow – the first with sustained white-noise chords punctuated by bell-like attacks, the second with vibraphone-like chords. A further set of variations moves from an almost catatonic state to a full emotional outburst, perhaps occasioned by the election results. Another faster jazzy section leads to a recapitulation that expands and alters the original three sections.

Commissioned by the American Wind Symphony

Jazz ensemble and Narrator; 2 mvts: 1. Gotham City-911 2. An International Rage