Arthur Farwell: America’s Neglected Composer
Arthur Farwell has been called ‘the most neglected composer in [American musical] history.’ Hounded by accusations of ‘cultural appropriation,’ he has posthumously fallen prey to changing notions of cultural authenticity. As the leader of the ‘Indianists’ movement, Farwell believed it was a democratic obligation of Americans of European descent to try to understand the indigenous Americans they displaced and oppressed. To this end, he merged Indian music and lore with Western concert forms – today, a controversial practice. Folliard produced the Dakota String Quartet‘s World Premier Recording of Farwell’s String Quartet, Op. 65, “The Hako.”
Folliard partners with Augustana University’s Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Willette Capers, to produce a podcast that highlights unique voices on campus. Willette as looks at diversity, equity, and inclusion, using the hip-hop soundtrack to her life to connect the dots in her unique style. If you are looking to hear about diverse perspectives with influences from some of your favorite classic hits, then “Too Tired to Code-Switch” is for you.
This recording is the second in a collection of three works from the composer James David performed by the Augustana Band under the direction of Dr. Christopher Unger. Zephyrus is the god of the western wind in Greek mythology. Every spring in Colorado, the weather becomes notoriously unpredictable and ever-changing from the gloriously clear and warm days to sudden downpours of hail or even the occasional Memorial Day blizzard! This short piece for winds and percussion attempts to capture the fickle mood of the winds off the Rockies in springtime through quick spiraling motives in the upper winds and off-beat dances in the brass and percussion. The piece was commissioned by Dr. Rebecca Phillips (professor of conducting, Colorado State University) and was premiered in July 2019 in Prague, Czech Republic.
Augustana Christmas Vespers 2020
The Augustana School of Music released its first produced recording of its annual holiday concert known as Christmas Vespers. This was recorded with the most stringent COVID protocols in place, and was broadcast on public television and YouTube. The Augustana Band is conducted by Christopher Unger, choirs by Paul Nesheim, Lisa Grevlos, and Russell Svenningsen and the orchestra by Peter Folliard.
Dr. Russell Svenningsen, tenor, and pianist Debra Reid come together for a stunning recording of “Winter Journey,” a cycle of 24 songs for voice and piano composed in 1827 by renowned composer Franz Schubert, with text by German poet Wilhelm Müller. Müller’s poetry introduces us to the Wanderer, a person we do not come to know much about other than his love has been spurned and he is compelled to leave, to roam the countryside alone and in the depths of winter. His heart is broken, and his life is a torment of memories, dreams, and present pain. Schubert’s music perfectly captures that torrent of emotion.
This recording is the first in a collection of three works from the composer James David performed by the Augustana Band under the direction of Dr. Christopher Unger. I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold was inspired by the iconic painting “I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold” by Charles Demuth. David writes, “The number five is expressed in many different ways including the prevalence of perfect fifths, rhythmic techniques based on the number five, and an adaptation of Bartok’s five-part arch form. The work uses literal text painting by emphasizing brass, saxophone, and bell timbres throughout. While largely lyrical in nature, the movement builds to an energetic allegro concluding with a massive choral finale.”
The first album to be released from Augustana University’s orchestra program features the Augustana String Quartet. This EP features an eclectic mix of musical styles including Borodin’s iconic String Quartet No. 2, Piazzolla’s Libertango, Albinoni’s Adagio in G minor, and two custom arrangements of The Piano Guys including the namesake of this album, Happy Together. The quartet is made up of undergraduate students: James Schrag and Emily Stjernhom, violins; Nathan Johnson, viola; Annabelle Lecy, cello. Folliard coaches the ensemble and completed the recording, editing, mixing and mastering.
Poetry from Studio 47 is a weekly radio broadcast that airs on NPR affiliate, South Dakota Public Broadcasting. The show highlights poetry from the Midwest, the Great Plains, and beyond. Each episode—which is hosted and curated by Patrick Hicks —is roughly five minutes long and features poets who are experts at their craft. All poems are used with permission and the show is recorded live-to-tape at Studio 47, which is proudly housed at Augustana University. Our producer is Peter Folliard, who also wrote the opening music. We’re having a blast making this, and we hope that you enjoy it, too.
Samuel Adler: One Lives But Once – A 90th Birthday Celebration
March 4th 2018 marks the 90th birthday of one of today’s most influential and prolific composers: Samuel Adler. This three-disc boxed set provides a cohesive overview of his output and includes many premiere recordings. Dr. Folliard produced the Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, featuring Nicholas Goluses and the Eastman School of Music’s Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra, led by Maestro Neil Varon.
Spirit of the Season IV
Live from D.A.R. Constitution Hall, The United States Air Force Band, Singing Sergeants and Celtic Aire present another concert full of classic and new arrangements of holiday favorites. Conducted by Col Larry H. Lang and co-produced with friends and colleagues Captains Daniel Boothe and Dustin Doyle, enjoy the Spirit of the Season IV.
In their second album, the North Carolina Brass Band brings the joy of the holiday season in the most festive of fashions. Their abilities to sing and swing with equal grace make this Christmas album a great addition to your regular holiday-CD rotation. Produced, edited, mixed and mastered by Folliard at Maestro Studios, 2016.
Take a listen to this sample track “Three Kings Swing”
Winner of the 2016 Roger Bobo Award for Excellence in Recording
From their inception in 2004, Off Bass Brass has taken the idiom of Tuba/Euphonium Quartet in a different direction. By incorporating a rhythm section from the outset, the quartet has transformed into a septet. This collaboration has widened the available palette for many new original compositions as well as jazz, rock, fusion, latin, and big band arrangements that the members of Off Bass Brass have done in-house. The last 10 years have been a fruitful musical journey for Off Bass Brass, and Tubacus Galacticus is the embodiment of that journey.
The United States Air Force Concert Band’s “Departures” is full of original works and arrangements for wind band, including Steven Bryant’s “Ecstatic Fanfare,” Percy Grainger’s “Colonial Song,” and Malcolm Arnold’s “Scottish Dances.” Conducted by Col. Larry H. Lang and 1st Lt. Shanti S. Nolan, and produced by Maj Michael J. Willen and Capt David A. Alpar, this is Peter J. Folliard’s first album with The USAF Band as a contracted co-producer.
Spirit of the Season
Live from D.A.R. Constitution Hall, The United States Air Force Band, Singing Sergeants and Celtic Aire present a concert full of classic and new arrangements of holiday favorites. Conducted by Col Larry H. Lang and co-produced with friend and colleague Maj (retired) Scott Guidry, enjoy the Spirit of the Season.
Under the direction of Brian Meixner, the North Carolina Brass Band is a British-style brass band and is composed of the finest brass players and percussionists in the state of North Carolina. Their debut album, “First in Flight” showcases a wide variety of musical styles including transcriptions of music for orchestra, wind band, chorus, jazz band and some exciting original music written specifically for brass band. “First in Flight” was Maestro Studios and Records’ premier album to be produced, edited, mixed and mastered by Peter J. Folliard.
The United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants present “Air Force Blue”. This truly diverse collection of music includes new concert band commissions, classic staples of the band and orchestral repertoire, as well as Air Force favorites that showcase the history and camaraderie of the service. The concert band was conducted by Col. Larry H. Lang, the ceremonial brass by Retired Major Scott Guidry and the chorus was led by Peter J. Folliard.
An exciting combination of classical transcriptions, an original work performed by The USAF’s Concert Band, a fiery arrangement of “Malaguena” that features the trombone section, and operatic favorites with the Singing Sergeants.
This collection of fanfares, honors, marches, hymns, military songs and bugle calls is designed to provide appropriate, dignified music for military ceremonies. Specific selections are included for a retirement ceremony, parade, retreat ceremony and military funeral. To ensure a compliant ceremonial plan, the user should consult Air Force Instruction 35-106, “Ceremonial Music”.
The Air Force Strings present a series of original and arranged holiday favorites for string orchestra. Recorded in historic Hangar 2, Bolling AFB, October 2011. Conducted by Peter J. Folliard, and featuring Retired Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus of The United States Air Force Band as a guest conductor.
Showcasing the diverse talents of each ensemble of The United States Air Force Band, this compilation of previously released holiday recordings feature tracks from “Cool Yule,” “Caroling,” and other acclaimed albums from 1995-2010.
Off We Go” is a full CD, intended to encompass the history of American air power going back to the days of Orville and Wilbur Wright. One track, dubbed “The Bicycle Shop,” is arranged to replicate the sounds and struggles of man’s first flight. A later track, “Short Ride in a Fast Machine” will put the listener in the cockpit of a modern fighter plane, while “Aurora Borealis” speaks to the Air Force’s unique presence in space. The CD’s title track, “Off We Go,” tells the story of the Air Force Song.
The members of Off Bass Brass started working together as a quartet in 2004. From the early stages of the group’s development, it was clear that the goal was to take their music in a different direction. Since that time, the Off Bass Brass has continued to explore widely different genres of music in order to set itself apart as a chamber ensemble, as well as expand the repertoire of the tuba-euphonium quartet.
The group also makes a concerted effort to commission new compositions and arrangements, often adding additional performers. They have been fortunate to work with outstanding composers and arrangers and truly gifted musicians from outside the group. It is this collaborative atmosphere that provided the impetus for this recording.
The Peabody Conservatory Wind Ensemble’s 150th Anniversary album Collage and its acclaimed recording of the Carmina Burana Suite and other works have secured its reputation as belonging ‘among the very top wind bands in the US’ (Fanfare). With this addition to Naxos’s popular Wind Band Classics series the Ensemble explores the music of four musical trendsetters—Hindemith, whose exhilarating Symphony convinced other leading composers that the wind band is a legitimate medium for serious music; Holst, whose First Suite is regarded as a cornerstone of the band repertoire; Schwantner, whose…and the mountains rising nowhere calls for amplified contrabass, piano and 46 percussion instruments; and Grainger, whose Lincolnshire Posy is considered a pinnacle among his folk-music settings.
Peter J. Folliard 