Elegy in Memory of Gerard Schurmann (Brass Band)

Dedicated to and written in memory of the composer Gerard Schurmann, Jack Stamp's Elegy begins stridently; grief which moves to anger. A more reflective section ensues which is sad and lonely. After quoting an excerpt from Schurmann’s "Concerto for Orchestra" the work concludes with a “hymn of remembrance” a la Gustav Holst’s "Moorside Suite, Mvt. II."

Genre: Brass Band | # of Players: Standard
Series: The Festival Series
Level: Medium | Duration: 6:30

Instrumentation
Conductor's Score

E-flat Soprano Cornet
Solo B-flat Cornet (4)
Repiano B-flat Cornet
2nd B-flat Cornet (2)
3rd B-flat Cornet (2)

B-flat Flugelhorn
Solo E-flat Horn
1st E-flat Horn
2nd E-flat Horn

1st B-flat Baritone
2nd B-flat Baritone

1st B-flat Trombone
2nd B-flat Trombone
Bass Trombone

B-flat Euphonium (2)
E-flat Bass (2)
B-flat Bass (2)

Timpani (3)
Tam-Tam, Crash Cymbals
Cgimes
Vibraphone

Program Notes
I knew Gerard Schurmann’s music long before I met the man. Known primarily as a film composer and orchestrator, oddly it was his concert music not his film music that I first heard. The late Lorin Maazel was a champion of Schurmann’s music, commissioning his "Concerto for Orchestra." I heard a Pittsburgh Symphony performance of Schurmann’s "Six Studies of Francis Bacon." I was so taken by the work that I immediately bought a recording and score. Later, I would purchase a recording of his "Concerto for Orchestra." It wasn’t until years later, in a conversation with composer Nigel Clarke, that I found out that Schurmann was alive and well and living in Los Angeles. I immediately discovered his contact information and asked if I could visit him and discuss his music. He graciously consented and I first visited him and his dear wife, Carolyn, in June of 2018. It was a terrific visit, much more than I could ever have hoped, leaving with scores and recordings. I continued to study his music and hoped to visit him in 2019, but his health was not good and the pandemic further thwarted a possible visit. He passed away on March 24, 2020 at the age of 96.

Upon hearing of his death, I immediately set out to write a work for brass band in his memory. The work begins stridently; grief which moves to anger. A more reflective section ensues which is sad and lonely. At measure 62, I quote an excerpt from Schurmann’s Concerto for Orchestra. This section is followed by a “hymn of remembrance” ala Gustav Holst’s Moorside Suite (2nd mvt.).

– Jack Stamp