Arthur FrackenNOMS

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Arthur Frackenpohl, a New Jersey native, received his education at the Eastman School of Music and McGill University and was fortunate enough to study with Darius Milhaud and Nadia Boulanger.  He is an American composer that taught at the State University of New York at Potsdam from 1961 until his retirement.  Arthur Frackenpohl created over 400 instrumental and choral works that are still performed today.  

 I had the honor of meeting Arthur Frackenpohl and his wife during my time at SUNY Potsdam.  One of the many great things they did for SUNY Potsdam was fund a brass quintet, the "Frackenpohl Honors Brass Quintet."  The audition piece for this prestigious ensemble is Frackenpohl's Brass Quintet No.1 (1966), which is considered by many to be the influential work that propelled him to national and international prominence as a composer of serious artistic merit.

 This quintet is in three movements: 
I. March 
II. Blues 
III. Rondo 

 All performers have a moment where they are the solo voice or are in a duet with each other that really bring out beautiful musical moments.  The Blues and Rondo movements are my absolute favorite.  Blues is very sappy and beautiful, the Rondo is exciting and ends with a "in your face" tuba moment. :) 

 Unfortunately, this quintet has not been recored on an album (from what I have researched).  The recording I have here is with the San Antonio Brass Quintet (some members of the San Antonio Symphony).  This is a live performance with some chipped notes here and there but it's definitely a good listen!  
Instrumentalist include: 

Bernie Nero and Chuck Berginc, trumpets
James Baker, horn
Peter Kline, trombone
Mike Sanders, tuba.   

Enjoy!

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